In about ten minutes I am going to grade my first research paper of the school year.  The papers aren't due until Monday, and I had been looking at this weekend as my last hurrah before the grading onslaught would occur, but then I had the bright idea to offer extra credit to students who turn their papers in early.  And wouldn't you know it--many of them took me up on it.  And for that, I am grateful.  Mostly.

Grading research papers takes a long time.  Too long.  I talk to colleagues who can do it in half the time it takes me (even less than that).  I am trying to be more efficient, but I have never been very fast when it comes to grading essays, and so I just need to accept that this is something I have to do. 

Sometimes people ask me why I give this assignment.  It's a simple answer, really.  It's the job I signed up for.  I love this job, and assigning and assessing student writing is a huge part of doing it well.  I have seen English teachers who grew so weary of grading essays that they allowed themselves to stop assigning them.  I will not do that.  Not now--not ever.  Last summer I wrote to several former students--current college students--to ask them to reflect on their experience in my class.  Without fail they told me that writing the senior research paper was one of the most valuable exercises they did in my class.  They told me that the process of writing this paper with my guidance, helped them write college essays, when they received much less guidance. 

And so, I will grade.  As I always do, I have set up a weekly quota system for myself.  I have also determined in my heart (and asked God to help me in this determination) to maintain my joy and my peace as I take on this challenge.

I have run marathons before.  I know the pain and the struggle of the race, but I also know the satisfaction and the pleasure of the finish.  And so it begins.