Ultimate

The signs were not good. I got an email about the tutoring, did not recognize the name, and she did not introduce herself further. Merely asked if I could teach a different day than I have available. I had to reply that, no, I could not change my work schedule. Then I find out it's for a class of about five, which was what I asked not to be put into.

Another email over the weekend with the rigid class and lesson schedule with specified word lists. Um, well, this is uncomfortable, since I'd gotten the impression in the training that we would be working on that with the individual, developing a focused set of goals for them, not using a set curriculum and a workbook*. But I decide to hear her out. I am to go out there today, and yesterday afternoon, I get an email telling me that I am to teach not one, but TWO classes (not asked, mind.) I wrote back with my increasing concerns, and she backpedals - apparently, and I agree to come out and talk with her.

The where is a big issue. It's far out to the west, an industrial area, a considerable drive for me (who prefers never to leave the downtown area, or at least the east side.) And this preference, along with my schedule and number of learners, is on her sheet on me. Anyway, I get there, and realize that the Humanitarian Center is not next to the Dominant Church Here, it is part of it's industrial complex. It is the DCH Humanitarian Center. With all the Inspirational pictures every ten feet along the walls. And the 'students' work in the thrift store warehouse and take classes. I have a deep moral distaste for the DCH mission, and the destruction of local clothing economies due to the availability of cheap second hand clothing. Among other issues. She took me to a class to see for myself, and the teacher is an older woman on a DCH mission.

Turns out the woman I am meeting is my mentor, which I have to pull out of her. She was at the training - but never identified herself as such in the emails. She is not herself a native English speaker - which complicates the issue. I expect not to be able to readily communicate with the students, but I need to clearly communicate with my mentor. She does not in any way acknowledge my discomfort, and I have to keep telling her that no, this is not going to work. I'm doing my damnedest to stay polite, but no does in fact, mean no. And she is not asking me questions, so I have to keep confronting. She goes over my preference sheet as though I had no idea what I was writing there.

I finally get through to her that while I understand there is a need here, she needs someone who is going to want to be here, and not be miserable for six months. It was all I could do not to just say, "Oh, well, just use missionaries for this." It takes a while, but I do have a very strong metaphorical spine, and will not be guilted into the wrong placement for me. If I want to crawl out of my skin the whole time, I can't do anyone any good. I did not say that part out loud. And the tutoring is, despite some half hearted assurances that she wants the teachers to be creative, very much a part of a whole class system, and is not amenable to creative interpretation and individual needs. Rather like the DCH.

I'm calming down. Taking D out for his yesterday birthday today. He is at the age of the Ultimate Answer. We did get to the Red Iguana last night, and they had pistachio mole, which was wonderfully special.

*With the awful drawings.