Antonin Nikolaevich Dolohov (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
alt_antonin) wrote2012-09-17 10:15 pm
alt_antonin) wrote2012-09-17 10:15 pm
Entry tags:
Private Message to Pomona Sprout
Pomona,
Aurora suggested I write you to brief you on some additional detail regarding this afternoon's class (and I apologise for messaging her, rather than you, to help with the aftermath; I was not thinking entirely clearly or I would have messaged you both, her because I could be sure she would see the message quickly and you as Head of House).
Class today involved the casting and countering of hexes (upon me, not upon each other) from a specified list; most of the children were dubious but willing, particularly after I explained I wanted them to hex me, but there was an unfortunate incident in which Mr Nott, one of the first few students to take his turn, attempted a (rather nasty) hex that was not on the approved list. I was prepared for someone to make a similar attempt -- there always is one who believes himself to be smarter than the teacher and who wants to show off -- and so could block it, after which I emphasised to the class that my classroom restrictions are for their safety and mine, but it did leave several of the children exceedingly shaken.
The problem intensified with Mr Hopkins, whose casting was letter-perfect but who was unable to dispel the effects afterward. (I had expected this to happen as well; it is why I was careful in selecting the acceptable spells to choose ones I could undo "from the inside", as it were.) I had instructed the children in advance not to worry if they were unable to remove the hex, but Mr Hopkins was the first of your House to cast and the first who was wholly unable to counter his own spell, and I believe he feared retribution at a later date even after I was careful to show him there would be no hard feelings.
I had meant to reassure him after class, but was distracted by Mr Stebbins, who was the last to attempt to cast and was entirely unable to achieve satisfactory spellwork. He, too, reacted poorly, and I took him to my office to reassure him (and to offer him tea and Calming Draught, as I feared he would panic himself into a state). Mr Finch-Fletchley saw to Mr Hopkins. (I must also apologise for keeping Mr Finch-Fletchley out so late past curfew tonight; this afternoon's excitement entirely disrupted my schedule for seeing the students one-on-one.)
Aurora has told me something of the issues your House has had with my predecessor and I must confess I had not thought of the past traumas today's lesson might stir up; I apologise. I will be much more careful in future to offer more significant reassurance in advance, and of course by next month those who are least suited to the practise of the Arts will have opted into theoretical study.
Please do ask if you've any questions -- I would be happy to discuss any of this in greater depth. I will likely not be at meals tomorrow, but I have the afternoon free if you'd like to confer. And please accept my compliments for the actions of Mr Finch-Fletchley and Mr Diggory, both of whom were extremely helpful this afternoon.
At your service,
Antonin
Aurora suggested I write you to brief you on some additional detail regarding this afternoon's class (and I apologise for messaging her, rather than you, to help with the aftermath; I was not thinking entirely clearly or I would have messaged you both, her because I could be sure she would see the message quickly and you as Head of House).
Class today involved the casting and countering of hexes (upon me, not upon each other) from a specified list; most of the children were dubious but willing, particularly after I explained I wanted them to hex me, but there was an unfortunate incident in which Mr Nott, one of the first few students to take his turn, attempted a (rather nasty) hex that was not on the approved list. I was prepared for someone to make a similar attempt -- there always is one who believes himself to be smarter than the teacher and who wants to show off -- and so could block it, after which I emphasised to the class that my classroom restrictions are for their safety and mine, but it did leave several of the children exceedingly shaken.
The problem intensified with Mr Hopkins, whose casting was letter-perfect but who was unable to dispel the effects afterward. (I had expected this to happen as well; it is why I was careful in selecting the acceptable spells to choose ones I could undo "from the inside", as it were.) I had instructed the children in advance not to worry if they were unable to remove the hex, but Mr Hopkins was the first of your House to cast and the first who was wholly unable to counter his own spell, and I believe he feared retribution at a later date even after I was careful to show him there would be no hard feelings.
I had meant to reassure him after class, but was distracted by Mr Stebbins, who was the last to attempt to cast and was entirely unable to achieve satisfactory spellwork. He, too, reacted poorly, and I took him to my office to reassure him (and to offer him tea and Calming Draught, as I feared he would panic himself into a state). Mr Finch-Fletchley saw to Mr Hopkins. (I must also apologise for keeping Mr Finch-Fletchley out so late past curfew tonight; this afternoon's excitement entirely disrupted my schedule for seeing the students one-on-one.)
Aurora has told me something of the issues your House has had with my predecessor and I must confess I had not thought of the past traumas today's lesson might stir up; I apologise. I will be much more careful in future to offer more significant reassurance in advance, and of course by next month those who are least suited to the practise of the Arts will have opted into theoretical study.
Please do ask if you've any questions -- I would be happy to discuss any of this in greater depth. I will likely not be at meals tomorrow, but I have the afternoon free if you'd like to confer. And please accept my compliments for the actions of Mr Finch-Fletchley and Mr Diggory, both of whom were extremely helpful this afternoon.
At your service,
Antonin
no subject
Productive indeed, and thank you again. (And yes, about a month or thereabouts, though of course I've taught before, and have consequently had a curriculum half-sketched-out for years. Much more one-on-one, however.)
And of course hindsight is the best perspective, but perhaps it shows a way to improve the process for future new staff. The American Department of Magical Affairs has a custom I found quite helpful: new ambassadorial appointees and chargés d'affaires are lent a junior member of their staff as attaché for six months to provide precisely those bits of information that "everybody knows" and therefore nobody thinks to tell one. Obviously this is impractical for the school in exact form, since requirements of staff are entirely different and duties are rather more fixed, but perhaps there might be opportunity to arrange a placement for a particularly clever seventh-year student? One who is not taking the new professor's subject, perhaps, to avoid appearance of impropriety.
(I know I would be more than willing to pay most generous clerk's wages for an hour per day or so of someone sitting down, conquering my filing, and being present to answer those passing questions that do not seem worth bothering someone with, but would be useful to know! Perhaps I will bring it up at tonight's meeting.)
Thank you, as well, for your recommendation of Mina -- we've not spoken more than in passing but I have found her presence quite soothing, and it's good to know she is another resource who can help in a pinch. Though I will hope most fervently the assistance is not needed.
At your service,
Antonin
no subject
There is quite a difference, though - as I am sure you are finding - between working individually and with a small horde. (Or a large horde, for that matter. I still have no idea how Aurora managed the multi-year YPL sessions.)
Your idea does have some pleasing merit, but it's the practicalities that get one, as usual. While obviously students know quite a bit, there are all the details that they are not at all privy too. As you are, I am sure, discovering with our staff meetings.
That said, if your filing could use help, Aurora employed a student to help her with a few things last year, and that's been done from time to time in the more distant past. The trick, of course, is finding someone with the appropriate skills and discretion and the available free time. But do ask tonight and we can see if we could make a few suggestions - one of the sixth years, perhaps, since they don't have exams on their minds.
Right. Next round of arriving students.
Pomona