Forums Archive Index > General Chat > Opinions needed...
Date: 14 Dec 2006 11:46 am
Here's the deal...
I've just been offered a job, sort of...it depends on if I say yes or not.
It's at the local community college - teaching small engines for 4 hours on Fridays. The money to me is unreal $150 for 2 hours Friday morning and 2 hours Friday afternoon. Each 2 hour segment would be with at least 6 students from grade 10 - 12 I'm thinking. As the people were talking and the boss was bragging me up, well I kinda phased out. So now I'm in the dilema of trying to figure out what I should do. It starts the first week back after Christmas break in January, so it's not a lot of time for me to decide. So far my Grandparents, my Grandfathers homecare worker, and of course the guys here all think I should go for it. But yet, I'm not good with strangers and I tend to go brain dead (more then usual) when asked questions I know I know, but can't find the words. So it makes me kinda nervous. I have a headache already thinking about it and I haven't said yes. If I would say yes, I'd have to train someone else to be here while I was there and that added to what I already have going is going to make my hair fall out. So I have no idea what to do...
Sherri
Date: 14 Dec 2006 12:28 pm
My opinion...take the job if YOU **WANT** to do it. That's the most important factor. It doesn't matter what someone else thinks. Nothing is as important as your desire to do the job. Not the money, not someone else's recommendation....nothing.
AZ
Date: 14 Dec 2006 12:38 pm
AZinOH wrote:
My opinion...take the job if YOU **WANT** to do it. That's the most important factor. It doesn't matter what someone else thinks. Nothing is as important as your desire to do the job. Not the money, not someone else's recommendation....nothing.
AZ
AZ is right.
If you're a little scared that's ok..change is always scary, it's actually a good kind of scary!
But do it only if you want to. The money thing is cool and all...can't say as I blame you.
Teaching is not something people do for money...they do it because they love it(good teachers, anyway...)
Who knows though...you may have stumbled on to a new career!
The good Lord works in mysterious ways... :wink:
Date: 14 Dec 2006 12:49 pm
You better take it if you're going to pay for that Christmas present you're getting me. :D
Date: 14 Dec 2006 1:03 pm
Sherri,
You deal with strangers (and maybe weirdos) every day in the shop. However, it is familiar territory for you where you meet these people.
The school would become that way for you too.
You said before that you worked with 4H kids, so you must enjoy being around young people.
If you enjoy teaching, then it would be something that would suit you, even if you are nervous about it.
Don't think about the money first. Think about whether it is something you would enjoy doing.
Date: 14 Dec 2006 1:17 pm
They will idolize you up there Sherri, really, you are the boss and in control as the teacher. Also never fake it if you don't know something, say, "Good question, I don't know". From there you can then find out for him/her, have them try to find out as a learning experience and let the entire class know or assign the entire class to find out OR work together and find out. Actually good questions are a great oportunity for everyone to learn something. It does not make you look bad, in most cases you have forgotten more about OPE than some of them will ever learn lol....
It is also a immensly rewarding experience to watch someone "get it" when you are teaching them.
I think you will be great at it!!!!! :D
C
Date: 14 Dec 2006 1:36 pm
Thanks guys. That helps alot. Here's another twist. I suddenly have found myself to be very popular. Another guy was just here and offered me the second opportunity to do the same thing with another program.
I do enjoy teaching. With the 4-H kids it's the pride in seeing their faces at the end of the year when their projects have been judged and they see if they go onto Provincial competition.
The money in both programs is just an added incentive and would be a bonus at the end of the month.
So now I just have to get my head wrapped around the idea that, YES, I can do this.
Sherri
Date: 14 Dec 2006 1:49 pm
You'll do just fine. I bet great! :wink:
Date: 14 Dec 2006 2:28 pm
Sherri,
I used to be a Technical Training Supervisor, and also an Instructor before that. If I were in your shoes I would do it.
I'll talk to you more about it later, but the rewards are great, if you make the class fun, it will be fun, and if you are not more than a little nervous before you teach your first class, your ego is probably too big to be a good teacher.
I'll talk to you later about it.
Walt
Date: 14 Dec 2006 2:39 pm
Marshall wrote:
You better take it if you're going to pay for that Christmas present you're getting me. :D
:wink: How much can a lump of coal cost? :)
Walt Quote:
I'll talk to you more about it later, but the rewards are great, if you make the class fun, it will be fun, and if you are not more than a little nervous before you teach your first class, your ego is probably too big to be a good teacher.
A little nervous. I haven't said yes and my head is just a spinning. :)
Sherri
Date: 14 Dec 2006 3:06 pm
AZinOH wrote:
My opinion...take the job if YOU **WANT** to do it. That's the most important factor. It doesn't matter what someone else thinks. Nothing is as important as your desire to do the job. Not the money, not someone else's recommendation....nothing.
AZ
I totally agree. I have been on a job which I did not like and I was at it for only 4 months before I had my fill! Choose the job that best suits you and your likes, and you will be at it for years! :wink:
Date: 14 Dec 2006 3:23 pm
Sherri:
Don't sweat it, you will do fine! In reading all of your posts that are a good representation of your knowledge and sense of humor, you will fit right in! In fact, if you have the time, this sounds like it would be fun relief from the everyday grind of work.
If I had the knowledge on this topic and the time, I certainly would be doing it.
Let us know your decision.
bbwb
Date: 14 Dec 2006 5:22 pm
Sherri - its up to us to make our lives fulfilled, no one else. From what you have said, I think that you WANT this. I also think that you will do JUST FINE and give something to willing young minds. I think its a rush & hope to do the same someday. Yeah, there will be butterflies & a few awkward moments early on, but they will quickly pass with the satisfaction you get doing this. I say go for it & let the "other stuff" work itself out. YOU CAN DO IT!!! :)
Marty
Date: 14 Dec 2006 7:21 pm
Hi...
"I do enjoy teaching. "...
"... head is spinning..."
...spinning slower I hope... :P
Decisions we make... are some of the toughest... most things that happen are not our decisions... be glad you have a choice...
...and let your head spin until it almost stops and points you in a direction... :lol:
Dave...
Date: 14 Dec 2006 7:35 pm
There's only one way to find out if you'll like it. That said, you could accept the job and give it a whirl for a bit. And if it's not your cup of tea, just move on.
There's nothing like educating young minds. Heck, I do it everyday! :D Sharing/passing on your knowledge is one of life's greatest pleasures.
Basically it boils down to one thing.... it's your call. And if you get stumped in the middle of the lecture, you can aways whip out your cellphone and give Chris a call for 'technical advice'. :D
Date: 14 Dec 2006 7:47 pm
Sherri,
My advice is don't try to be someone your not. Perhaps you have a pre concieved image of what an instructor should be, how that person should talk and act.
Be yourself. Talk to the young people in the simple terms as you would if you were in your shop (of course without the swearing and butt slapping).
Simple and direct. Sell them as you would a customer. After all, your customers believe in you and that's why they come to your shop. Sell yourself to them in a direct and simple fashion with the confidance that comes with years of experience.
Your delivery may not be perfect at first but as time goes on and you and the students get to know one another it will get easier and better.
You'll do fine.
Dan
Date: 14 Dec 2006 8:41 pm
MissSnowshoveler wrote:
Thanks guys. That helps alot. Here's another twist. I suddenly have found myself to be very popular. Another guy was just here and offered me the second opportunity to do the same thing with another program.
I do enjoy teaching. With the 4-H kids it's the pride in seeing their faces at the end of the year when their projects have been judged and they see if they go onto Provincial competition.
The money in both programs is just an added incentive and would be a bonus at the end of the month.
So now I just have to get my head wrapped around the idea that, YES, I can do this.
Sherri
If you don't try it, you'll always wonder, what if?
As a lot of the gang said on here, You'll be fine.
You have the knowledge and the personality.
Good luck, Kevin
Date: 16 Dec 2006 9:23 pm
Thanks for all the kind words. I'm still mulling it over. I'll have to re-read the books that put me to sleep with their endless technical babble just so I'll be back up to snuff. I don't know that much on the ATV's and outboards, but I'm gonna do some looking tomorrow on the net to see what I can learn when I want a break from Christmas stuff.
Sherri
Date: 18 Dec 2006 5:03 pm
Well?
Date: 18 Dec 2006 5:24 pm
I still don't know yet. They haven't called me back, which could be a small blessing, but they may just be giving me lots of time.
Sherri
Date: 20 Dec 2006 9:36 am
They called me this morning and I said I would do it. So they are going to drop me off some of the course books that they picked up from another college. Then on the 3rd of January I will give them a list of stuff that will be needed so they can hopefully get it.
Thanks for the confidence boost! It was greatly appreciated!
Sherri
Date: 20 Dec 2006 9:39 am
Good for you Sherri! I think you'll be happy you made this decision.
Date: 20 Dec 2006 9:58 am
I'm glad you said yes. It's better to try and see how it goes, then to not try and then wonder "What if?" Once involved, if you find it's not what you want to do, you can always quit, hopefully after the end of your first semester so that they can get a replacement, but I think you will do fine and enjoy the class.
Date: 20 Dec 2006 10:12 am
Joe, there is no replacements to be found. When they called this moring the lady said, "Pretty please with cherries on top." All the other options that they had are as sad as it sounds, going out of business at the end of the year. So I'm it, if I don't like it, I'll have to lump it and make it through. Maybe Marty wants to take a working vacation. :P
Sherri
Date: 20 Dec 2006 10:27 am
Sherri,
You'll be glad you took the job.
For training aids, you'll need a Mustang, and maybe a truck. Can also be used as a teacher transporters.
Date: 20 Dec 2006 10:41 am
Highwind wrote:
Sherri,
You'll be glad you took the job.
For training aids, you'll need a Mustang, and maybe a truck. Can also be used as a teacher transporters.
I'll take the 'stang hands down. :) Hope they make all the payments and I get to keep it after I'm done!
I've been thinking the last few days about how I would go about each day and had it pretty much figured out. I went to put it down on paper today, so I can give them a format, and I lost it all. My brain fuzzed out - must be all this holiday cheer!
Sherri
Date: 20 Dec 2006 11:18 am
MissSnowshoveler wrote:
I'll take the 'stang hands down. :) Hope they make all the payments and I get to keep it after I'm done!
I've been thinking the last few days about how I would go about each day and had it pretty much figured out. I went to put it down on paper today, so I can give them a format, and I lost it all. My brain fuzzed out - must be all this holiday cheer!
Sherri
:wink: :wink:
Of course. That was the general idea. The school pays for the training aid, and you get to keep it. You'll need it for future courses. Don't teachers have good benefit packages where you are?
BTW, what sort of "holiday cheer" are you into that it fuzzes your brain out. Sound like the illegal stuff.
Date: 20 Dec 2006 11:47 am
Highwind wrote:
:wink: :wink:
Of course. That was the general idea. The school pays for the training aid, and you get to keep it. You'll need it for future courses. Don't teachers have good benefit packages where you are?
BTW, what sort of "holiday cheer" are you into that it fuzzes your brain out. Sound like the illegal stuff.
Just the ordinary "holiday cheer" nothing of the illegal sort. :lol: Just all the hustle and bustle and craziness that comes with this time of year.
Sherri
Date: 20 Dec 2006 3:58 pm
Holiday cheer? I think it's the fumes from the holiday deco paint you've been using.
Congrats on the decision. Am sure you won't regret it.
Date: 20 Dec 2006 6:55 pm
Sherri...
:P :P :P
You will do well !
Dave...
Date: 20 Dec 2006 7:33 pm
Sherri
First - congratulations! What a wonderful compliment to be asked!
Second - I'm a big believer in 'everything for a reason' - this opportunity has been offered to you for a reason, this person crossed your path for a reason.
Logically, as someone else said, you've already been teaching - but as a volunteer. So, now someone is giving you money to do it - it doesn't change anything. Plus its teaching about something you know a lot about and enjoy - what more could students ask for in a teacher?
I'm thrilled for you! What a great opportunity!
Paula
Date: 21 Dec 2006 9:13 am
Sherri, thats great! Have fun with it!
Now if you want, converse with the group here...we will be more than happy to help with your course outline, assignments for the kids, etc...
Plus, this group will be able to teach the kids about the other side of OPE (poor jokes, fishing, cars, bees, and Paula's ball collection for those that step out of line)
bbwb