For Shane Toepfer, an assistant professor of Communication, Film and Theatre at the University of North Georgia (UNG), the workday kicks off long before he sees his first class of the day. Known for his amazing reputation amongst students, Toepfer balances his demanding teaching schedule with grading, meetings and the preparation that goes into each class.
His mornings begin early but not rushed.
“I wake up very early and have my morning coffee,” Toepfer said. “I like the slow mornings and usually leave for work around 7 a.m.”
After arriving on campus, Toepfer checks his email before beginning his day. This varies on what campus he is teaching on. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, he commutes from Athens to UNG’s Oconee Campus in Watkinsville. Tuesdays and Thursdays have him on the Gainesville Campus.
Toepfer’s schedule at Oconee leaves little room breaks. He teaches at 9 and 10 a.m., attends meetings at 11 a.m. and noon, then returns to the classroom to teach at 1 p.m.
“That means I don’t get to grading or attending to emails until late in the afternoon on those days,” he said.
His Gainesville schedule looks a little different with morning office hours and classes at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Meetings fill the gaps between classes frequently, making it difficult to complete other tasks throughout the day.
Toepfer usually brings lunch from home, although he will occasionally eat out in Gainesville.
“Once or twice a month I treat myself to lunch around Gainesville,” he said.
Come late afternoon, Toepfer usually heads home between 4 and 5 p.m., depending on his workload and meeting schedule. However, leaving campus does not mean his workday is concluded.
At home, he continues grading assignments and preparing for the next school day’s classes. The extra hours come from work being done outside of the classroom, evaluating assignments and developing classroom material, “so that is usually how I wrap up the workday.”
(Written by Jade Sutters, Staff Writer, Ungvanguard with minor editing for clarity and length by 97.5 Glory FM’s Ken Stanford)