I am writing to you about a disagreement I’ve had with a coworker at the factory in which I work at. She attacked my personality as well as questioned why I would want to be an educator.
She seemed cruel and didn’t seem like she wanted to hear my comments on the situation. After all she was attacking me, didn’t she think I would want to defend myself?
We were previously engaged in a heated disagreement about another issue we were having when all she could fall back on was the fact that I’m quiet and shy.
“You’re so quiet, you never say anything, it’s no wonder why you’re not a teacher.“
“What does that got to do with anything.”
(in case you’ve never met or considered what an introverted person is please look at the cartoon below. Dr. Carmella’s cartoon.
“Everything, I only need to talk about the important and serious issues, I don’t need or want to talk about trivial matters. “
“How can you be a teacher then? If you never talk or say anything? “
At this point I wasn’t standing up for myself it’s obviously she didn’t know anything about me and wasn’t going to.
What are the time I was seriously hurt and tearful since I rarely get angry. I’m more likely to disengage from the conversations and retreat but throughout the entire conversation I stood my ground in quietly noted that she and I were never going to get along.
As for her last question, I get along with students quite well. I’ve had other teachers remark on how well I communicate with them. It’s not all about just talking at them. Sometimes it’s about listening to what they have to say and responding accordingly. Besides it’s easier having materials ready and providing detailed information on the SmartBoard or paper or book then it is to have a outright conversation with someone..
Fortunately I move to another state and I never have to see her again. So whenever she has the gall to ask my mom how I’m doing or we see her at Walmart, I tried to give a polite and curt answer and then turn my back and leave. Some people are worthy of my time and she isn’t one of them.