Another dilemma in taking classes
07-19-2012, 07:14 AM
#32
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pe Ell, Washington
Posts: 2,512
Reading this and the other thread I felt bad because there are some very good teachers out there. When I teach I run my classes through the Community College so the student can complete the whole quilt in a quarter. Students get a better break on the class and I can teach from beginning to the end. Students that don't complete the project do so because they do not do the home work. You can teach a technique in one class but quilts are made up of a lot of techniques and it all takes time Rome wasn't built in a day and neither are our quilts. Teaching and learning should be fun, I have learned a lot on my own but when I take a class I learn so much more. Yes sometimes it is what not to do but life is a lesson we are all learning from.
07-19-2012, 07:46 AM
#33
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,663
I tend to be a fast learner/worker also and I'm pretty much always ahead of the rest of the class. I have had experiences with teachers who will point that out - some more nicely than others. Their degree of "nice" determines whether they will see my face again (LOL). I think some teachers are rather insecure, which makes them react in such a way. Like you, I would have felt very uncomfortable with the situation, but probably would not have the guts to walk out (although I would have liked to). Especially in this instance, when it was a group but not a paid class.
07-19-2012, 08:35 AM
#35
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Nawth o' Boston
Posts: 1,879
No, she wasn't trying to be funny. This was my first encounter with this particular woman so we didn't know ea. other. I just wanted to know how to do EPP which I had never heard of before that. I do think twice before committing to classes there now to see how serious anybody else is about it. It's very frustrating when I really want to learn something though.
I don't know how anyone can 'instruct' a class when there are all different levels and projects. I wouldn't walk out in a snit, Miss Manners won't let me, but I sure would find a good reason not to go back!!!
07-19-2012, 08:41 AM
#36
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 93
I don't take classes because I get nervous cutting in class. My ruler slips and every cutting problem that can happen will. I have been sewing/quilting since needles were invented so I can cut. I just don't like all the negative attention that comes when I am trying to concentrate. People (including teachers) assume that I don't know anything and therefore, zoom in on me and try to stop me before I continue "to make sure" that I don't do anything wrong. If I can go to a quiet spot in the room, I can cut and continue "to be normal" like everyone else.
07-19-2012, 08:50 AM
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mena, Arkansas
Posts: 1,351
After just reading the thread about taking classes & the instructor focusing on one or two top students (or friends), I've had just the opposite experience. I've been in a cpl. of classes with people who didn't even know how to thread a needle. A handsewing needle. Never did understand why they were even there.
I have taught classes in other hobbies including some quilting & because I tend to catch onto things fast & am good with my hands, I sat quietly working on the project (English Paper piecing) til the instructor noticed I was working ahead. Instead of recognizing my experience & letting me go, she made sarcastic remarks because I wouldn't stay behind with the nonsewers. Didn't make sense & was embarrassing.
If I had held back I would have had to just sit there doing nothing. Everybody was working at different levels but most weren't interested in learning what was being taught. It wasn't a paid class but a grp. of friends.
How would you have handled this?
I have taught classes in other hobbies including some quilting & because I tend to catch onto things fast & am good with my hands, I sat quietly working on the project (English Paper piecing) til the instructor noticed I was working ahead. Instead of recognizing my experience & letting me go, she made sarcastic remarks because I wouldn't stay behind with the nonsewers. Didn't make sense & was embarrassing.
If I had held back I would have had to just sit there doing nothing. Everybody was working at different levels but most weren't interested in learning what was being taught. It wasn't a paid class but a grp. of friends.
How would you have handled this?
07-19-2012, 08:51 AM
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Adelanto, CA
Posts: 4,044
Alot of good replies to this 'dilemma' but in my more senior moments I think I would have told the teacher I didn't appreciate her comment and that it detracted from her teaching skills and word of mouth is the best referral and she would NOT be getting mine. Or something like that. If I didn't think of it at the moment, which someone else mentioned that they don't think of a good retort until too late, I would tell her after class.
I don't like to be mean or rude but I don't need to suffer thru it from others either.
07-19-2012, 09:13 AM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: On the plains of the Dakota's
Posts: 776
When I first read what Pat G wrote, this was also my thought.....I've taught many classess and when I had someone that was working ahead, I gave her many "grats". I did have a class I took with my mother one time, and the teacher didn't like that we both were ahead, adn made comments, but I proceeded onward, my mother on the other hand felt bad. I told her to ignore her and enjoy herself. Needless to say, we never took another class with her.
My response I realize is going to sound awful but honestly I would have left. When my fun gets ceased I'm done for the day!! Quilting is fun and when you get together is supposed to be fun, challenging or just go with the flow yet so many people make it competitive and try really hard to make someone else feel inferior. I love this board because when there is a "bad seed" in quilting you can always come here and it's a total support system of positive reinforcement!!!
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