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!

Jen P’s questions seem like good ones! Would you have to do office hours and would they have to be at a place vs online, would be my other question if it were me