It's nice for people to notice the work adjuncts do. (I'm not an adjunct at my college, though I was at a different institution. I'm a full-time, soon-to-be tenured professor. Then I'll become an Associate Professor and shed the Assistant piece of my title.) I've always been mindful of praising my adjunct faculty when it's warranted (sometimes it's not) and making them feel included. I've always respected them. They work hard, and even if some are folks I wouldn't choose to be best friends with, they are committed to their students and able colleagues.
Some FT faculty at the college (here and elsewhere) aren't as appreciative of adjuncts. They sort of look down on them, even though they are essential to the work we do at the college.
My wife, who was adjunct until she got her FT ESL post (yesterday), felt unappreciated by some FT colleagues. One, in particular, was downright rude in his/her dealings with my wife. Like adjunct didn't deserve basic respect. OR care. Or thought.
But now that my wife's finishing up her adjunct duties here and moving, she's being treated differently. It's like she's grossed some golden Rubicon of worthiness because she's been selected as FT faculty at a community college (elsewhere).
And that's a bit sad. And wrong.
My wife's been a great teacher since day one. She's not any better now because she's going to be FT. She's always been great (I am a little bit biased here :D). Whether adjunct or FT, she's the same teacher.
And whether adjunct or FT, instructors in the community college system (and elsewhere) deserve respect. If you're a coordinator of adjunct faculty, a chair of a department that relies on adjunct faculty, or simply a colleague of adjunct faculty, please treat them well. They deserve it (and more).
Unless, of course, they disrespect you. Then it's gloves off.
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