Sometimes teaching assistants at brand name private universities can be fairly disconnected, insulated, or arrogant--and this living in a bubble leads to delightful* comments, like this one!
Me: So are you going to miss any of your undergrads from this semester?
Teaching Assistant #1: No.
Teaching Assistant #2: God, no.
Teaching Assistant #3: No-no. I'm ready to see them leave me.
Me: Really? Not even just a couple of students?
TA #2: Yeah, I don't like a single student in my class this semester. They're just...I can't stand a single one.
TA #1: Mmm, really, I know.
TA #2: Always after me with emails. Always asking about assignments. But none of them are bright. No one is really that smart. No one talks much in class.
TA #3: Oh, I know, I know. No one talks in my class either.
TA #1: No one talks in my class either!
TA #2: Yeah, they sit there stone silent, as if I'm supposed to give them the answer. They're just a bunch of--well, I shouldn't say it--guess I should say it nicely somehow--just that my undergrads are all a bunch of brats. I'll be happy to get rid of them. All of them.
TA #1: Yeah, me too. I can't wait to see them out the door.
TA #3: Mmmm, me too. I didn't like any of my students either.
Me: [hesitating] Huh. That's odd. Maybe it's weird of me to say, but I think I'm going to miss nearly all of my own students. They've been a good bunch.
TA #2: You probably lucked out, because I don't think any grad student likes the undergrads they have.
Me: Everyone says that, that I lucked out. But I've always liked my classes every time I teach. They all tried in my class. Most worked hard, even if it didn't pan out in a grade they wanted. I never had any issue getting anyone to talk. I always have a lively bunch of chatty students.
TA #2: Nah. I hope I never see a single one of my students again. I want them to ignore me if they ever pass me in public. Just walk on by. Don't even look at me. Go away.
TA #1: Oh, I know! Me, too!
TA #3: Mmm, indeed.
TA #2: Like, really, I never want to think of them again.
Me: Because they felt uncomfortable talking in your class?
TA #2: YES!
*Not really delightful.
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