Matt in Calgary

OMG dudesI soo have to tell you about my day ..... today I started teaching at SAIT ( Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)- for a 4 day intensive session that the Surg, ICU and Emerg RNs, and Residents and Superusers have to pass in order continue to work in their areas.. it was made mandatory by their Department Heads/chiefs that these folk get 100% proficient in the new technology for patient safety... which makes sense.. because who would want a Dr who can only get 90%... anyways... I have a class of 32 students and a new instructor and it was her very first day....I kinda felt sorry for her cause I couldn't really explain much to her as I was busy teaching.. and she couldn't answer any questions the students had since it was her first day..... I came into class pumped thinking I would totally handle it and make the day really fun for everyone... and despite some grumbling in the 1st few minutes from those who were resistant to change.. I had the class laughing and enjoying the material in no time like I usually do... (sometimes I think I'm less a trainer but more a Stand-up comic)... anyways.. things were going soo smoothly... until about 11am...up until then I had neglected to mention where I was from cause I didn't think it was important and I have a lot of info to get thru in 4 days....its total information overload.. but then again these are bright people who should be able to pick up new things quickly...... then a student asked me directly where I was from...WOW....and i paused.... thinking to myself.. should i answer this question or should I avoid it...and I made a fatal mistake and said I was born in Hamilton..... WELL>>>> the class went into an uproar when that came out...You would have thought I was the Devil and had eaten their first born child.... for the first few minutes of them harassing me because I'm from Ontario.. I thought it was all in jest and In fun....and I just nervously laughed and smiled and tried to change the subject back to the curriculum material. BUT NO>>. they would not have it... they kept drilling and drilling me with insults..and it got really nasty... the words and insults they were hurling my way were insanely cruel.... it became really apparent that a few of these people were really upset and offended that they had a teacher from Ontario...I could see their necks getting redder and redder from the anger... so I asked... why the hostility towards me.."what did I personally do?"... so then a few of them starting yelling at me saying that Ontarians are always trying to ruin Alberta and that we are always meddling in their affairs...she mentioned something about the "national Energy program back in the 70s and 80s" and how "FUCKED-UP I WAS" and " how Fucked up everyone in Ontario was" then others starting to use the F word.. and were clearly very upset and angry... at this point I was actually afraid for my physical safety.....I mean this was something that happened back when I was like what... 3 years old????? I was totally shocked by this outburst which lasted at least 10 mins or more... the poor new instructor was almost in tears...her first day and she sees me getting steamrolled...So.. to defuse the situation I went to the front of the class and turned off the lights.. and in my sternest voice possible... told them that "All non clinical systems dialogue would not be tolerated anymore for the duration of the class.. and the next person to swear or get off topic will fail the class and not be able to continue in their areas"! the class went silent.... then there was about a good 30 second stare down.. where no one said anything... it kinda felt like an old western movie where two people have a gun dual....then the "F-word lady" finally broke the awkward silence and said " you wouldn't seriously fail us, would you?" my cold response was" Of course I would! I am from Ontario! "Tomorrow should be fun... the new instructor said she would come back..all I know is I won't be buying candy or tim bits for this class... Cheers.... at least Banff is pretty

posted by matt @ 8:49 AM