New Job...Old Job

I was offered a job as a mobile teaching artist for Riverzedge in Woonsocket. They are a great organization that specializes in art and community outreach. Find them here:http://riverzedgearts.org/
My job is to travel to various after-school programs in Providence and Pawtucket to teach art. Nice.
Well, no. Not really.

I was assigned to an elementary school to teach an 8 week workshop and I decided to do a painting course which would introduce the kiddies to Piet Mondrian. I showed up for my first day and I was told they didn't sign on for an art teacher this term. Huh. Okay. I called the boss and he didn't know what was up and I went home. No one gave me an explanation as to what happened so I guess I didn't merit one. The following week I went to another school where they were expecting me. Great. So far so good. I had a group of 10 4th and 5th graders...perfect. Yup.     

Nope.

For 90 minutes I was a nothing but a referee. "Don't touch that. Stop yelling. Come here. Sit down. Be quiet. What are you doing? Why are you screaming? Where are you supposed to be?" and on and on ad nauseam.  There was no learning taking place. There was no listening. There was no control.

I completely get it though. Those kids are at school from 8-5:30...they needed to be outside running around and not sitting inside a classroom painting. I just had the unfortunate time slot of 4-5:30 for this class. Can you see yourself at 9 years old being at school all day until 5:30 doing organized activities? It's like a full time job. God I feel really sorry for those kids.
When I sat in the car afterwards I was wrung through. I was thinking that this was a mere 10 children
yet it felt as if I had done battle with 30.

So, a glorified babysitter I am not, so I won't be returning.