Volunteering to teach art class once a month at A's school seemed manageable when I agreed last September.
Too bad I didn't realize what volunteering meant, that the way these art classes are to be taught is the antithesis of what art is in fact about.
Rules are to be followed, and if you color outside of the lines, (literally and figuratively for certain), passive aggressive emails will be sent en mass, with CAPITAL LETTER subject lines, listing the offense. There will be responses of disbelief that 'this has to even be mentioned...' and I suppose everyone but the person who isn't named but knows who she is feels better.
I breathe, reminding myself that I am volunteering after all. I tally my remaining obligations, knowing that I will not attend the docent appreciation breakfast this spring, because I'm certain I have an appointment that day.
I know the rules now. I will arrive on time and not before. I will not remove a single item from the art cart, nor will I do anything whilst the docents before me are in the classroom. I'm sure they still want me to clean up after them, and this time I won't expect a thank you or see you later.
And I will not be volunteering next year.
Ouch! Your curriculum sounds worse than ours. I bristled when I learned they would have to mimic the artist's style but so far at least we have the freedom to teach the class how we see fit with modifications if needed. I tend to be very easy with them and what they want to do.
ReplyDeleteWord. -I gave up volunteering last year.
ReplyDeleteI never looked back. LOL.
xo
that sounds like a nerve-racking experience. personally, not a fan of mass passive aggressive emails. people should just walk up and say what's what in a kind direct way. i think that would make a world of difference.
ReplyDelete