Burning bridges...
This one is very painful for me to write....
Recently, I decided to get back into teaching. I still had a 'bad taste' in my mouth from all the politics of teaching for the Cleveland Clinic - but that was going away and I was anxious to teach again.
So I went to a local 'new' studio to offer my services. I interviewed with the owner and it went pretty well - she was an ex health care worker and understood the politics and frustrations as well.
She was losing two teachers at once and there seemed to be plenty of slots. So anyway we agreed to have me 'try out' to teach.
During my interview I told her my preference would be to teach on a week night. She also wanted me to teach her pre-natal class and while I have taught pregnant women it is not my forte - I told her this because I wanted to be as honest as possible.
Due to a misunderstanding the first time I was suppose to teach, a Thursday night - we got our signals crossed and i showed up a week early. When it was my turn again to teach, the lady who runs the studio said another teacher wanted to teach that particular night. The following Thursday I taught the class and when I met with the owner she did not say a word about me NOT teaching the Thursday night class - nor did she give me a schedule. I also taught my first pre-natal class which because I did not know the students didn't go as well as I would have liked.
Well last night, I showed up to teach the Thursday night class. There was another teacher there to teach and we discussed together about the confusion, the other teacher went to ask the owner. I could hear their voices but had no idea of what was discussed. The teacher came back to the room and informed me she would be teaching 'tonight'. She gave a great class and kicked my butt (but I overdid it)....
Today I come in, open my e-mail and there is a very snotty/snippy letter from the owner basically asking me where I got off 'assuming' I'd be teaching the Thursday night class. I was really taken aback by the tone of her e-mail considering IT'S UM YOGA.....
Anyhow I thought about it - found myself getting angry and wrote her a very calm letter, accepting responsibility for my own confusion, for assuming, but also calling her on the carpet for her own lack of communication, and, her not providing me a clear 'schedule' to work with. I told her for karmic reasons, I felt it would be better not to teach for her. I did not wish to teach with hard feelings between us. She agreed and *poof* I''m no longer teaching....
I want to mention as well that in dealing now with a couple of the teachers, their style is somewhat questionable and I find them to be a bit amateurish only because I feel they do not pay close enough attention to what may be a potential physical risk to students (i.e. - they teach in such a way that is definitely going to cause an injury IMO). I am not saying this to air sour grapes- it's what I see as a fact....I have studied for a very long time now and taught over 500 students myself.
I am upset, hurt, and frustrated. I am blaming myself for my own attitude but again left feeling like maybe I should just chuck the entire idea of teaching altogether because I truly don't want any bad karma or wrong-doing attached to my teaching and study...
I don't know what to do. I don't want to teach for a control freak - or with someone who has no idea how to communicate. Yet I want to be able to teach....
Anyhow I needed to get this off of my chest...I am not sure it's going to help - but I am putting it out into the universe nonetheless.
Namaste to you all,
C~
Recently, I decided to get back into teaching. I still had a 'bad taste' in my mouth from all the politics of teaching for the Cleveland Clinic - but that was going away and I was anxious to teach again.
So I went to a local 'new' studio to offer my services. I interviewed with the owner and it went pretty well - she was an ex health care worker and understood the politics and frustrations as well.
She was losing two teachers at once and there seemed to be plenty of slots. So anyway we agreed to have me 'try out' to teach.
During my interview I told her my preference would be to teach on a week night. She also wanted me to teach her pre-natal class and while I have taught pregnant women it is not my forte - I told her this because I wanted to be as honest as possible.
Due to a misunderstanding the first time I was suppose to teach, a Thursday night - we got our signals crossed and i showed up a week early. When it was my turn again to teach, the lady who runs the studio said another teacher wanted to teach that particular night. The following Thursday I taught the class and when I met with the owner she did not say a word about me NOT teaching the Thursday night class - nor did she give me a schedule. I also taught my first pre-natal class which because I did not know the students didn't go as well as I would have liked.
Well last night, I showed up to teach the Thursday night class. There was another teacher there to teach and we discussed together about the confusion, the other teacher went to ask the owner. I could hear their voices but had no idea of what was discussed. The teacher came back to the room and informed me she would be teaching 'tonight'. She gave a great class and kicked my butt (but I overdid it)....
Today I come in, open my e-mail and there is a very snotty/snippy letter from the owner basically asking me where I got off 'assuming' I'd be teaching the Thursday night class. I was really taken aback by the tone of her e-mail considering IT'S UM YOGA.....
Anyhow I thought about it - found myself getting angry and wrote her a very calm letter, accepting responsibility for my own confusion, for assuming, but also calling her on the carpet for her own lack of communication, and, her not providing me a clear 'schedule' to work with. I told her for karmic reasons, I felt it would be better not to teach for her. I did not wish to teach with hard feelings between us. She agreed and *poof* I''m no longer teaching....
I want to mention as well that in dealing now with a couple of the teachers, their style is somewhat questionable and I find them to be a bit amateurish only because I feel they do not pay close enough attention to what may be a potential physical risk to students (i.e. - they teach in such a way that is definitely going to cause an injury IMO). I am not saying this to air sour grapes- it's what I see as a fact....I have studied for a very long time now and taught over 500 students myself.
I am upset, hurt, and frustrated. I am blaming myself for my own attitude but again left feeling like maybe I should just chuck the entire idea of teaching altogether because I truly don't want any bad karma or wrong-doing attached to my teaching and study...
I don't know what to do. I don't want to teach for a control freak - or with someone who has no idea how to communicate. Yet I want to be able to teach....
Anyhow I needed to get this off of my chest...I am not sure it's going to help - but I am putting it out into the universe nonetheless.
Namaste to you all,
C~
Labels: Emotions, Letting Go, Rants, Yoga
posted by Colette at 1:05 PM
2 Comments:
Wow, sounds like you really had to deal with a pin head!
Don't let this sour you on doing something you truly love.
I guess it's back to the drawing board to find a better place to teach yoga at.
Don't deny others the benefit of your wisdom and experience.
do you need a license to teach yoga? and if so how easy is it to retain?
why I ask is.. is there any way you could just start your own classes? that way your makeing your own hours.. like maybe go to the YMCA, and offer your services.. or look into how much a small studio, and a huge add in the paper would run you.. You shouldnt let on barbie get to you, and you shouldnt let her win, because if you quit, or give up.. then you are letting her win!
This seems to be something fairly important to you, otherwise what happened you would have just shrugged off and gotten over it.. but you didnt, you took it personal and to ehart, so DO NOT GIVE UP.. there is always a way around it, always a loop hole! Just do what im sure they teach you in yoga... think out side the box mommy :)
Post a Comment
<< Home