I just got the news confirmed: I'm going to be a Teaching Assistant. I get to stand up in front of dozens of people and provoke discussion, present provocative points of view and open young minds to new, radical ideas.


The centres of world revolution are here... and here...

I'm quite excited. I guess this is how it feels before I remember how I was as a first year student: surly, uncooperative, skipping class or talking through lectures. But no one will chat on their cell phones through tutorial or ask difficult questions and be unsatisfied with the response "Well, what do you think?" It's too soon to lose my young-teacher-naivete. My students will be cooperative, polite and never challenge my grading scheme.

Actually, my biggest concern right now is what to wear. I never have to worry about that at work, because no one notices. Here, I'll be in front of hip young people for 1.5 hours at a stretch. Now my wardrobe will become a teaching aid: not an attempt to impress, but to convey that I'm so beyond cool, nothing will faze me. The sartorial possibilities are endless. To that end, I just purchased a blazer somewhat like this one:



I have no doubt you'll be hearing more about this in September. Until then, I'm going to bask in my new, educative status.