My college has gone to a standardized curriculum for 14+ schools in my field, therefore there is a standardized syllabus and point system. It can be very frustrating, especially after this course, to see areas where I have the skills and knowledge to make a better experience for the student yet I am bound not to make changes. Any suggestions for dealing with this? I've tried drinking when I get home, and it helps to a certain extent, but it's not very usefull when the guy that made this decision for me is 2000 miles away.

We do offer students the chance to test out of the General Education course, but this course is for a certification from another organization (National Restaurant Association), and it requires them to take the classroom portion.

I teach some of the begining courses, and as a result some of the material in my class is fairly basic. Some of the students have passed a basic test to work in the industry, yet i have to cover this material as a starting point. They get VERY bored and disruptive. I've tried the reasoning approach, by letting them know if they have some industry experience that they should take this opportunity to affirm their knowledge. Some do this, others become disruptive and rude. Then what? They know the info, I'm not teaching them anything...I'd be bored too.

I find engaging in my hobbies, even if the hobby requires a lot of mental work, reduces my stress level. Now that spring is here, I spend a lot of time gardening. It can be quite physical, I call it my exercise, and relaxing at the same time.