Our Last Office Hours Before the World Shut Down

In this chapter of his video memoir about 37 years of teaching at UC Davis, Dr. Andy remembers Selena, a design major and photographer who took extraordinary initiative in his Writing and Fine Arts class. During the winter quarter of 2020, Selena attended office hours once or twice a week, studied every comment on her essays, and worked steadily to become a stronger writer. Their ten weeks together ended as the COVID-19 pandemic reached California and UC Davis suspended in-person instruction. Looking back, Dr. Andy recognizes those conversations with Selena as part of a golden age of office hours, when professors and students could sit together, make eye contact, exchange ideas, and develop the relationships that make teaching memorable. Today, Selena is a successful wedding photographer. Her story offers a lesson about showing up, seeking guidance, welcoming feedback, and taking responsibility for one’s own growth. It also gives Dr. Andy an opportunity to reflect on teaching, retirement, and the student relationships that have shaped his life at UC Davis. #UCDavis #Teaching #OfficeHours #StudentSuccess #Photography #VideoMemoir #DiaryOfAQuizmaster