Thoughts on Teaching Professor faculty positions: Historically, researxh universities employed tenure track professors focused on both research and teaching, and temporary-contract lecturers focused exclusively on teaching. The latter had less job security, lower salaries, and less in department/college respect. I am seeing a trend towards a greater number of Teaching Prof. positions that have more job security, higher salaries, and greater respect from colleagues. Question: what took so long?
@Ferris_vball This is definitely a positive change.
A pessimistic, and oversimplified take: This is a response to students and their parents starting to demand a high quality classroom experience, not just the "prestige" of having attended a top research university.
@BrianUmberger @Ferris_vball a less pessimistic take...let's respect the strengths that each person possesses.
If you discover lots of amazing stuff with research efforts but can't communicate & educate effectively, what's the point?
If you are an amazing educator but don't keep up with discovery & research, what's the point?
The evolution of the academy requires a sliding scale continuum not a dichotomy of research vs teaching.
@neuroscience_ninja @BrianUmberger I completely agree. My question is why did it take administrators this long to figure that out? Were they blinded to the evidence in front of them? Did they not appreciate the value of instructional faculty? We’re they bound to the traditional model by experience and training? In my personal perspective, the value far exceeds any hindrances.
@Ferris_vball @neuroscience_ninja I also agree. Any negativity in my initial reply was solely about the "why did it take so long" part.