Teach: I See You, My Dear Community College Student

Teaching at a Community College

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been teaching for almost 20 years. I like to joke that I’m filling out my teaching Bingo card; I’ve taught middle school, high school, preschool, professional development, and modeling (WERK!). Now I’m so fortunate to have my dream job, teaching English, primarily writing courses, at a community college I once attended as a student.

Community colleges are the under appreciated workhouses of higher ed, offering academic degree programs, vocational training, and non-credit courses–all open to the community at excellent financial value. Many have innovative programs and special resources to support working parents, veterans, students of color, and more. Faculty and staff focus on student success rather than research and class sizes are much smaller than most 4 year institutions. Like Rodney Dangerfield’s old schtick, community colleges often don’t get the respect they deserve.

Community College Students

Every semester, I’m touched by my students and their determination despite the wealth of challenges they face. My students may be the first in their families to attend college, not be native speakers of English, have physical or learning disabilities, and be fighting homelessness or food insecurity. Despite this, they are determined to pursue an education. Community college students are diverse and simply amazing!

Last semester was no different with students who had shared their life stories and personal challenges with their classmates and me. Some were really struggling to be successful and many were feeling the weight of their myriad life responsibilities. It was just about mid-semester, a time when students’ stress levels and workloads are intense (Full disclosure: faculty too!).

The Letter I Had to Write

One afternoon, though I was working on a long to do list and grading an enormous stack of papers, I felt a strong urge that I couldn’t dismiss to write my students a letter. I just felt that I had to write that letter at that moment, not when it was more convenient. So I put down the purple pen I use for grading and opened my laptop. I had no idea what I would write, only that I needed to write them a letter. This is what showed up:

My Dear Community College Student,

It’s almost midterms and you are at a critical point in the semester. Your workload is piling up and you might be feeling the weight from my class as well as your other classes. You might be feeling tired and discouraged. You might be stressed out. You might be fighting that sniffle and sneeze that seems to be going around right now. You might be wondering if you’ll pass my class, your other classes, any class, and how in the world you’ll ever make it to the end of the semester. You might even be wondering if you made a mistake–if college is for you; if you should have taken that job or maybe enlisted instead.

I just want to say that I, your professor, see you. I see you hustling and grinding. I see you, fighting those old ghosts that whisper in your ear that you’re not good enough. I see you, coming to class without breakfast cause you just don’t have the energy, the time, or the money. I see you, coming in late or leaving early cause your boss doesn’t support your education and you still need to pay your bills. I see you, parents, with circles under your eyes cause your kid is sick and you had to stay up with them and get your homework done anyway. I see you, veteran, bravely turning a new page in your life, forging ahead despite the pressure and the shadows of your past. I see you, fresh out of high school and without a clue, looking for answers and direction and motivation. I see you, adults coming back to school, dusting off old skills in pursuit of new dreams. I see you, homeschooled student, maybe in a classroom for the first time in a long time or even ever, figuring out this new system. I see you, student with disabilities, doubling down because you have to work harder to be just as good as others. I see you, student with anxiety, with depression, with PTSD, with other mental health issues, working through your challenges, with or without support from professionals, medication, or your family. I see you, students taking care of family: maybe others’ children, maybe aging or ill or without someone else available to help them. I see you, I see all of you, and I am inspired by you, your determination, your bravery, and your hard work.

I believe in you and I believe you can be successful. I am here to support you in your journey. I know that what you learn and experience here will transform you and everyone around you in positive ways. You will innovate, you will collaborate, you will think divergently, critically, and creatively, and you will make our community, our nation, and our world better by attaining an education.

So, if you find your courage, your confidence, or your energy faltering, know that you have at least one person in your life that sees you and believes in you. I know you can do it and I believe in your dreams too. I too was once a community college student that dared to dream.

Professor Rai