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"CRO(CHET) + ROCK = CROCK STAR 1

January 5, 2008 Alan and I were leaving Panera after a delicious soup and sandwich when I spotted a former Beginning Crochet student from Continuing Ed. I went over to her and said, "Hi Miss Crocheter." (Sadly, I couldn't remember her name, as it had been a year at least since she took the class). She was so happy to see me and exclaimed loudly, "We were just talking about you" as she gave me a big hug!! Then she called across the room to her daughter, who had also taken the class and pointed to me and said, "Look who'es here!" The daughter came quickly my way and also hugged me. At this point my cheeks got all flushed and I was embarrased, but I DID feel like the ROCK STAR of Crochet! It feels really good to get that kind of validation and I interpret it to mean that they enjoyed the class, learned alot and think highly of me as a teacher. Alan, who I usually think of as objective, said that the camaraderie was obvious as well as the appreciation of my teaching them to crochet.

They said they have signed up for the class again and noticed that my name was not on the class listing. It's true, I explained, I have retired from teaching beginners. I cleazrly remember these people because they were so much fun and enthusiastic. The mother/daughter took the class together with another friend, as well. They plan on taking the brother's girlfriend along to class also this time.My friend and Chapter President, Rosalie, is taking over for me.

I joked with them they "sent me over the edge" and were the cause of my retirement! Seriously, I didn't retire on a whim; I had been thinking about it for about 2 years and each time the start of Fall classes came around, I groaned at having to go out at night after a long day and as each week went on it would get colder and colder making it less appealing to go out in the dark. As I got older, also, I was loosing my patience for teaching beginners. Each class has the whiners, the quitters and those who won't correct their mistakes. It is human nature, I know, but it gets tiresome and I had been teaching this class at Continuing Ed each semester for 13 years! All but about two times, the class filled up and even had a waiting list!

Comments

Anonymous said…
You carried the torch long enough, and thankfully passed it on to many others.
Thank you for being a "Rock Star" in my book!
~Dee
CrochetQueen said…
What fun to receive comments on my blog and such a sweet one from you, Dee. Thanks so much for posting and you're no slacker yourself with that award winning blog of yours!
Anonymous said…
I just happened upon your blog!! I can relate with teaching beginners to crochet....TOTALLY! It is fun and a challenge, but there are those "whinners, quitters, and the ones who won't correct their own mistakes!" I have only been teaching the adult educ class for two years tho, but still feel the same as you in alot of ways!!Can't wait to read more ramblings! Oh, I also am in love with bead crochet!! And I love your post about another Crocheter is Born!! And "I birthed another crocheter! is great too!!

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