[seeker1950]

I've missed only one day of work this year, for a doctor's appt. I am scheduled for jurying of my artwork at Tamarack on Thursday. I have personal leave for this. But, instead of just going ahead and arranging for it, I stupidly went into the principal and told her what I needed to do. She went into a speech about stopping teachers for taking off work for "fun" stuff, and said, "You have a job!" I replied that it was not "fun" stuff, and was related to my 4 years of work on the weavings I had done for my M.A. I acquiesced and said I would not take the day off.
Other teachers said to me that it was not right. Go ahead and take the day off, as I have the personal leave and that is what it is for.
Long story short, I found a sub for the day off and he will be there for me on the day of the jurying.
I should add here that I care nothing for artistic recognition, but I could sure use the extra income from selling my work, and it's hard to get into Tamarack. Two reps actually called me and emphasized that they really liked my weavings and even offered to come pick them up themselves to take to the jurying for me. I have my whole guest room taken up with these weavings and nothing to do with them, so this would be a good opportunity to put them "out there." Also, hopefully, make some money.

Sorry for the whine.
Patty

[cantstopcrying]

If you have the time and you have arranged for a sub, I think you the right to feel peeved. I think it's awesome that you have this chance and you should not have to give it up if you've earned the day off. Good luck to you with your weavings!!

[sabby]

(((((((((((( Patty )))))))))))))

The principle is a swine and completely out of line here. Your personal time is just that "personal" and that is why it is given to you. I agree that no mention of what you need the time off for in the future would be the best route to go....it's none of their business. You don't need to quantify why you need the time off. Good grief, everyone needs time off now and again, life happens, things happen, and dang it all being a teacher is a stressful job!

Everyone deserves a "mental health day" now and again.....I hope you enjoy the day and sell lots of your work!


sabby

[seeker1950]

Thanks, Cant and Sabby..
The principal did preface her statements by saying, "I know I take a lot of time off to go see my grandchildren." Which she does! often taking long weekends to be away. I have never done that, though I would sure love to go visit the twins in Louisville.
I think I present a demeanor of being too much of a wimp! That is why she felt she could bully me in this matter.
I'm 58, and would sure like to retire before I'm going into work on a walker, but I started in this teaching late, and only have around 22 years in. I am hoping to add to my eventual retirement income by supplementing it with art sales. So, yes, to me, this is important.
Thanks for the feedback!
Love
Patty

[gimmeice]

((((((((( patty )))))))))))))) I agree that you deserve the day off, being a teacher would have to take a lot of patience and I think this day off would be good for you.

[(JD)]

SO you ARE going right? Good for you! I would write down the situation and explanation for your boss, and hopefully she'll realize that she wasn't listening in the first place. Good wishes!

[EJ711]

Patty,

I'm glad you will be going.

Let us know how many of your weavings you sell.

EJ

[seeker1950]

Thanks, Gimmeice, Sky, and EJ! It really means a lot to me to get this feedback. This jurying won't actually be for sales, but for being accepted into Tamarack. Then, hopefully, some of the pieces I've made can go on display and for sale there.
Love
Patty

[ECHOES]

Whoa. Take it with a grain of salt. Some people have nothing outside of work and can be quite indignant (jealous!) about others who do. You have a job, you are not your job

Best of luck! I loved the weavings that you posted pictures of!

[seeker1950]

Thanks, Echoes! I will have to remember that!
Echoes said, " You have a job, you are not your job "
Love
Patty

[eskielover]

Hi Patty,

It's been a long time since I have had a chance to reply to one of your posts......been so busy, I haven't had time to keep up with what everyone is doing....I apologize.

Now for the principal.......I hate bosses that think they own you & then intimidate you into not doing something that they themselves would really do.....stinks. I know it's hard to stand up to a person like that.....& it's hard not to share what you are wanting to do especially when you are excited about it.

It is a learning process with people like them......next time, I am sure you will just take the time off when you need it without saying anything to her (sad you can't share the happiness & exciting things in your life with a boss like that....some are just like that.....their loss). Just think of yourself from now on without any prior explanations to her. It's your right to take the personal time they give you for whatever you feel is the personal time you are needing.

I can't think of a more wonderful personal time to take than for what you are using it for. How exciting to have your art work that you put your heart & soul into a jury to be looked at for possible display at Tamarack. That is a very important chance in your life time.......to have your artwork recognized (I know you said that wasn't all that important to you....but I also know that artists love to know that others appreciate the work they have put their heart into). Yes, the important part is to get your artwork out there & earning some money rather than sitting around your guest bedroom. Why sit on a potential gold mine? I loved your weaving that you posted here. I personally love artwork that isn't just paintings. My house is full of other types of artwork as I think it gives my house a very personal feeling to be surrounded by things that really appeal to me & give me a good feeling to look at. I know others feel the same way & getting the opportunity to show it at Tamarack is an aw some opportunity. To be there to represent your own work I think is so very very important & part of the excitement.

It's very important that you go to this & I am glad that you realized how important it really is to you. With people like the principal, sometimes you just have to do what is really important to you & just go through with it no matter what. People that make it impossible to share what you want to do....in the future....just don't get to know. I have learned to not open up with people who try to intimidate me. They do intimidate me at the time (I am difficult to be intimidated & I end up intimidated at times), but I go ahead & do what I want no matter what. I could stand up to them & make a scene, but there is no reason for that either......sometimes we just have to silently do what we feel is important in our own lives & we have to go with it.

I am so happy that you are going ahead with this.....I think how exciting this will be for you & so glad you decided to go ahead with doing what is important in your own life without letting someone control the enjoyment out of your life.

I can't wait to hear how your jurying turns out........your weaving artwork is exciting & unusual with a very natural beauty to it. I am sure that it will sell well when it gets to the right place (not stashed away in your guest room...lol).

Good luck,
Debbie

[seeker1950]

Thanks, Debbie, for taking the time to give me your thoughts on this!
Yes, in the future, I'll do as other teachers advised me, and just take the time off without consulting first with the principal. I work with people who take time off for cruises, or going to Las Vegas, like one teacher did last week! I never do such things, nor do I take time off to go visit the twins in Louisville. The principal takes off regularly to go to NC to visit her grandchildren. I think this happened because I am viewed by her as a "wimp!"
Anyway, I'm glad I went to Tamarack. The feedback was very positive, and they want all my work!
Love
Patty

[eskielover]

WooooHoooo Patty,

I knew they would want all your works of art. I know I think they are awsome........so I just knew they would love them also.

I am so glad you went & had the experience of being there along with your art.....it would have lost the excitement of they had taken your art & you hadn't been able to experience the joy of the positive feedback. Nothing like positive feedback to boost the self esteme a little.

Way to go & contratulations......I am very excited for you.
Debbie