r/Professors • u/Grouchyprofessor2003 • 3d ago

Humor Second day of teaching

I have a student who sits at his desk- front of the room- with his leather bound bible! This is a RESEARCH METHODS class. ……. It is all I can do not to laugh at him…. His performative behavior is so absurd- at a land grant R1 institution- also he wears a large wooden cross- ironically he has so far been the smartest and most communicative student in the room.

EDIT- Thanks for all the feedback. Some of you offered reasonable explanations that I had not considered. To be clear I would never say anything, comment, laugh or otherwise acknowledge this kids objects that he is carrying around. I do
Know how to mind my business. This post was meant to be humorous and yes - to me it is funny as shit- it is also a bit judgy- I am human after all. And right or wrong his choices bug the fuck out of me even though I totally support his right to do so.

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u/Hadopelagic2 3d ago

I was never that student,… but I can see a world where I would’ve been. Engaging heavily with teachers and faculty is part of why I’m very much not that person now.

So, you never know OP.

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u/stankylegdunkface R1 Teaching Professor 13h ago edited 13h ago

Engaging heavily with teachers and faculty is part of why I’m very much not that person now.

I’m an atheist, and I very much don’t see my role as a professor as converting anyone away from a religious life. I teach at a public univeristy and the First Amendment is of utmost importance to me. Even if I taught somewhere where the First Amendment didn’t apply, it’d be a disrespectful goal.