Teaching in the SCA, Usually Rewarding, Sometimes Frustrating
I taught two leather pouch making class at Autumn War this weekend. The first class went very well and I enjoyed it. The second class did not go well. I will focus on the enjoyment I got out of the first class and hopefully I learned something from the second class.
First, get the class material fee upfront. It's awkward asking for money but from now on I'll get it out of the way first thing. It's bothersome keeping track of who's paid and who hasn't. It's down right irritating when two students stay an hour past class until they are completely done with their pouches and then finally pay for their materials. My class was set up so students had all the materials and directions they needed to finish on their own. I guess I need to stress that several time and then when class time is up announce that I need to go walk my dogs and leave.
Second, in the site copy state that the class is for strong able-bodied people. I can't do everything for one student and attend to the other five students at the same time. I don't have time to make all your holes for you. (And just to blow off some steam, you have arthritis? Me too, and no, I don't want to do your stitching for your. You're on blood thinners? Me too and no, I don't want to do your cutting for you. You want to be a pampered princess? Me too, so no, I don't want to pick up things for you when you drop them, so please don't ask me to. How on earth did you manage to make it all the way to the class without assistance?)
Third, don't let children in my class. Two ten year old children showed up for my class on Saturday. They had adults with them so I didn't think it would be a problem. I was wrong. The ten year old children were not strong enough to make holes in leather. No, the write up didn't say the class was for adults only, but it didn't say it was child-friendly either. I can't make all the holes for your children and teach the class at the same time.
Personal Notes: I will try not to be offended when someone says my tools are dull. Since I've only used the tools in three classes I don't think they are dull but I understand you were having a hard time. Yes, I know we are working on a folding table in a grassy field so it's a little more difficult than usual but the tools work when I use them.....look, see? Whack, whack, whack, ta-dah!
Perhaps I could have a strength test for people to take at the beginning of the class before they started using one of the kits? Even the willowy women were having a hard time. I've always wanted to be a beautiful willowy elf maiden but I guess there are drawbacks if you are weak and puny.
A merchant came by and wanted a copy of the pattern I made. Why does that make me so uncomfortable? No casual sex, we have to be in a relationship? I'll happily tell you the book I got my information from but if you want my handout with my knowledge, research and the pattern I developed I want you to take my class so I feel like we have a relationship. I don't know why. And I'm certainly not selling you the kit because I'm only charging for the material, not the labor that went in to it. Maybe merchants feel the same way when I see things in a merchant booth and make it myself instead of buying their product.
First, get the class material fee upfront. It's awkward asking for money but from now on I'll get it out of the way first thing. It's bothersome keeping track of who's paid and who hasn't. It's down right irritating when two students stay an hour past class until they are completely done with their pouches and then finally pay for their materials. My class was set up so students had all the materials and directions they needed to finish on their own. I guess I need to stress that several time and then when class time is up announce that I need to go walk my dogs and leave.
Second, in the site copy state that the class is for strong able-bodied people. I can't do everything for one student and attend to the other five students at the same time. I don't have time to make all your holes for you. (And just to blow off some steam, you have arthritis? Me too, and no, I don't want to do your stitching for your. You're on blood thinners? Me too and no, I don't want to do your cutting for you. You want to be a pampered princess? Me too, so no, I don't want to pick up things for you when you drop them, so please don't ask me to. How on earth did you manage to make it all the way to the class without assistance?)
Third, don't let children in my class. Two ten year old children showed up for my class on Saturday. They had adults with them so I didn't think it would be a problem. I was wrong. The ten year old children were not strong enough to make holes in leather. No, the write up didn't say the class was for adults only, but it didn't say it was child-friendly either. I can't make all the holes for your children and teach the class at the same time.
Personal Notes: I will try not to be offended when someone says my tools are dull. Since I've only used the tools in three classes I don't think they are dull but I understand you were having a hard time. Yes, I know we are working on a folding table in a grassy field so it's a little more difficult than usual but the tools work when I use them.....look, see? Whack, whack, whack, ta-dah!
Perhaps I could have a strength test for people to take at the beginning of the class before they started using one of the kits? Even the willowy women were having a hard time. I've always wanted to be a beautiful willowy elf maiden but I guess there are drawbacks if you are weak and puny.
A merchant came by and wanted a copy of the pattern I made. Why does that make me so uncomfortable? No casual sex, we have to be in a relationship? I'll happily tell you the book I got my information from but if you want my handout with my knowledge, research and the pattern I developed I want you to take my class so I feel like we have a relationship. I don't know why. And I'm certainly not selling you the kit because I'm only charging for the material, not the labor that went in to it. Maybe merchants feel the same way when I see things in a merchant booth and make it myself instead of buying their product.