Pix and Drew, I am so sorry. Big hugs and love to you. These have been very difficult months for you, and I'm sorry for that. My condolences.

Pix and ND, I’m sorry.

And with a super awkward segue… Tonight I received an offer out of the blue to teach a class at a local university… starting Monday. I kind of feel like this is a challenge I should take but my head is swimming. What questions do I need to ask (about the position, not the course)?

Have never been a teacher at any level, so take this for what it's worth; my mind tends to go right to practicalities and logistics:

Is it a one and done -- like, you're replacing someone who dropped at the last minute?

I'd be curious about class size -- I mean, that would have an impact on how much time you'd need for grading and such.

Is it graded or P/F?

Have the students already gotten a syllabus and assigned readings, and what's your leeway there?

Would you be assigned a space/office to decamp as needed on campus? (If you think you'd need it.)

When/how much/how often paid, but, I mean, that's not something you haven't thought of!

Free parking somewhere -- or reimbursed, if not free?

I'm so sorry for your loss, Pix and ND. Hugs to you both.

I’m very sorry, Pix and ND. What a whirlwind of anguish.

LisaH, I can’t remember if I offered you my condolences, so I’m offering them again. I’ve been thinking about you.

Work rant ahoy:

Dear boss: I know your preferred teaching styles are

• explain thing once while you are in the middle of another task and expect me to execute it perfectly and in the same amount of time six months later

And

• figure it out (as quickly as I did)

How about some feedback and guidance so I don’t have to basically spy on you to figure out how I should have done things differently? You don’t seem to understand the real estate between me doing a thing all alone and you taking over completely. I’ve tried to explain the concept of “checking in” but it doesn’t seem to be in your skill set.

Also, I know we are trying to meet deadlines, but I’m not sure how I’m supposed to get better and faster and build my skill and knowledge levels if I don’t get to practice consistently.

Wish this was a convo I could actually have with you, but I’ve already tried more than once.

Yours but not sure for how much longer, Me

aurelia, I have nothing to add, other than it sounds like an exciting opportunity if you have the time and the emotional and physical bandwidth for it. But, as I was scrolling and I saw that the next post after yours was from JenP, I was relieved because she seems to have such a knack for coming up with really practical lists and thinking of details that never even occurred to anyone else.

smonster, that sounds really frustrating. I have a guy like that, but thankfully it's very rare I need him to train me on anything. If it was consistent behavior, I don't know what I'd do. Good luck!

I'm sorry, smonster. I hope you can find something somewhere where you can learn and be appreciated.

No advice, aurelia, but how exciting!