Three Cheers for Adjunct Professors.

I never thought I would say this,(and my mom will be slightly taken aback since she has an opposing opinion) but I find myself loving adjunct faculty teaching my classes. Well, okay, not just any adjuncts. Experienced adjuncts. Professionals, who double as teachers, who have been in their business, know the ropes, have discovered secrets and can tell me what it is really going to be like out there. In the real world. My experience with adjuncts at St. Edward's has been rewarding and inspiring. Successful in their given fields, these teachers can best demonstrate, best teach, the tools of the trade. This system works exceedingly well with my interests in journalism. I don't want any Joe-Schmo teacher pacing about at the front of the classroom lecturing me on how to write an article when he has never, ever written one himself. Even if he graduated from Columbia School of Journalism, if he has never stepped foot inside a newsroom, no offense, but what does he really know about journalism and all it entails? All he knows is what his professor taught him, allowing no personal insight into the real, invigorating but sometimes stressful, world of journalism. I want someone who has faced that deadline, that crunch, those unforeseen obstacles, dealt with unforgiving editors, interviewed the curt and the offending, made mistakes and learned from them. I've been fortunate at St. Edward's to have a few of my classes taught by professionals straight from the field - literally, leaving work to come teach. Bruce Hight, opinion columnist for the Austin American-Statesman, taught my opinion writing class. Michele Kay, a long-time reporter for the Austin American-Statesman, taught my introduction to journalism class and was the advisor for the Hilltop Views. Michael Barnes, entertainment editor for the Austin American-Statesman and Austin360 blogger, is currently teaching my entertainment journalism class. Owen Egerton, published writer and comic, is also teaching my humor in creative writing class. What a wealth of knowledge I have been exposed to from these teachers. They're able to convey lessons to me that normal teachers can't, and I deeply appreciate the education I have received from them, most thoroughly.