I am a semester-by-semester contract instructor, a sessional, at a medium-sized university. I have been at this gig for 18 years, with a 7 year stretch in a coveted term position that offered slightly more job security with its one year contracts. Over this time, I have taught any number of first-year courses, with a few semesters of upper-level courses, to classes of 30 students up to 300 students. I teach over 250 students every year. I love teaching.

I have been nominated for a teaching award (results still unknown) and I have received good evaluations from students, colleagues, and administration. I have, as part of my contract, benefits and a pension plan. I am included in many opportunities for professional development and I have had opportunities to become a great instructor. Every year, at this time, I am reminded that my work here is important, but the marking of the time I have spent here is not worth noting. Each spring, the institution publishes the list of people who are achieving service milestones, and as I peruse the list, I see where I would fit in among my colleagues. I won’t be included in any official list as institutions of higher learning still seem reluctant to recognize that they need contract instructors. Institutions are measured in such a way that contract instructors are seen as a detriment, even while the institutions often very highly value their contract instructors. It is a conundrum and not one that will be solved soon.

So, I raise my glass, I toast myself, I mark my time. Whatever anyone else recognizes, we must always recognize ourselves.