Instructor!

I've been busy. In fact, too busy. Some weeks ago I received a notice from the Builder's Brewery group with an attached notecard: they were looking for new instructors. When I read the notecard, became somehow nervous. I could offer myself as instructor. In the end, I've been a teacher in RL since I'm fifteen... why not?

So I wrote an offering. I talked about my RL-experience, and also detailed six possible topics I could teach about. I also offered the choice for being, say, tested, since they didn't know me at all, what if I was lying about my experience? But they accepted and, in fact, I began sooner than expected.

Then, all the "OMG!" stress. I offered six topics, for being taught along three weeks (two per week, twice each class). I had nothing ready, but the ideas in my mind. I needed preparing the notes. I needed preparing the materials. First class was tuesday. It was saturday. Omg, omg...

There, the stress. Classes are tuesday, thursday and sunday. Notes and supplies needed to be ready by tuesday and thursday in my morning (sunday's class is a repeat). And I have the bad habit of wanting everything being perfect and completely under control. I don't like leaving things at random, specially, when I have some responsibility for them.

So the first three weeks I gave classes were full of stress. I was just finishing a class, and I already was in a rush: for preparing next one.

But, honestly, it's been also rewarding.

First, because now I have the feeling of being useful for the community. I know, it's no big deal. I'm not saving the world, but I'm trying to help others learn. That's what I've always done, that's what I've always wanted to do, that's what I feel I can be helpful with.

Second, because I'm usually shy and reserved, and this makes me recover contact with people. I'm not an hermit, but sometimes I look like one, because of my behaviour.

Third, because of people's acceptance. They like my classes. They find them useful, well documented and structured, with "small tips" for making life easier, and once they attend one, they usually attend my whole series. That's quite flattering, and also reminds me of my responsibility for doing a good job.

Some of them have pointed useful suggestions, and I'm polishing my classes taking them into account. I don't like making myself comfortable: if there are things that could be changed for better, then they must be changed.

In a way, I feel like if I found a home.

Come and visit the Builder's Brewery anytime. If you want to find me, I'll be there, SLT, tuesday 1AM, thursday 1AM and 1PM, sunday 1 PM. Check the schedule anyway: there are lots of interesting classes.