Fishing for Compliments

This is embarrassing. I have this new project, FindAQuiltTeacher.com.  Great idea:  teacher information is all in one place, one format, and easily accessible by program chairs and shop owners.  One slight problem. I’m not listed yet. People have started to notice. I know. I SAID it was embarrassing.

So I’m filling out the forms to list myself, odd as that may be, and and I get to the part about the testimonials. Teachers get to include these, because it’s one thing to put yourself out there as an expert in Underwater Fusing, for example,  but if somebody actually filled out an evaluation form after surviving your workshop and said you were top drawer, or sent you an email chock full of nice things about your fusing or your teaching, well that’s different. It adds legitimacy.

So far, I’m illegitimate. I know for sure that I have saved every email in which the writers have said kind things about my teaching ability, my matching socks, or the lack of food particles between my teeth. Where I have saved them, however, is a mystery. 

I can’t find copies of my teaching evaluations either, even though I know I’ve saved those all the way back to 1983.  I know I’m forbidden to read them until 6 months have passed. (I’m too thin skinned to read them right away. If I don’t get 100% perfect marks top to bottom I am depressed for days.) I know I saved them. I just can’t remember where. I’ve gone through the office, torn apart the basement, looked under the (shudder, flinch) cutting table in my studio. I am at a loss.

So, and this is truly embarrassing, I need your help. If you have taken a workshop or attended a lecture of mine and you had something positive to say about the experience (you stayed awake almost all the way through), and you were kind enough to write and tell me, would you mind doing it again? This is only if you would let me quote you. I’ll need your name, city and state, and where you might have run into me—guild, conference, the bottom of that hill over by the mall when I jammed on my breaks.

Please email me, rather than post to the blog. AmiSimms@aol.com

Again, I apologize for the fishing expedition.  I am grateful for your assistance.

Red-faced,
Ami Simms

Thank you! I appreciate all the kind words. I feel as if I have attended my own wake!~~ Ami :)

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10 thoughts on “Fishing for Compliments”

  1. I’m taking your Twisted Sisters class in Hampton. Give me an Evaluation form there and I know I will have loved the class and learned lots!

    I’ll fill it out for you there and give you a “glowing” review!

    Ann Hill,
    Virginia

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  2. Gee Ami, I would think that all the publicity about your fabulous “colorful” undies and sharing that with the quilting world would be testimonial enough for anyone who would want to take classes from you. It would make me want to. lol I do hope you find your lost files/accolades. If all else fails get Madison to write something for you.

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  4. I know I’m supposed to reply to you and not to the blog,… oh well.
    You did offer to dye everyone’s underpants, and that makes you A-1 in my book. :)
    I’ve seen you at guild and enjoyed every second. Don’t think that’s what you’re looking for though.
    I WISH I could say I’ve taken a class from you!
    Does that work???

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  5. I bet Madison is sitting there shaking his head muttering to himself about how silly this entire problem is. He knows that nobody would dare to write anything bad about his mom! I think that he should write you a testimonial and it should be included.

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  6. Oh Ami! If you ever teach anywhere within 150 miles of Houston, I’m in your class. Period. End of Story. I would ADORE to take a class from you. Unfortunately, I was out of town the day you taught underwater fusing, but I did hear that it was a breathless experience for all your students. Except for the kelp between your teeth.

    Did you ask Madison what you did with the evaluations? Maybe she knows.

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  7. Ami – be prepared for response overload! :-0
    I consider myself to be the beneficiary of much personal instruction from you over the years as we collaborated on your books. In some cases I also practiced what you ‘preached’.

    The Inivisble Applique class you taught back in – um – the 80’s was memorable… the Ladder stitch especially. You knowledge and humor and ablility to demonstrate makes you the BEST teacher possible. Therefore, I nominate you to be moved to the #1 spot on the list!!

    So there. :-> Jean

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  8. I am sorry, I can’t help you. I am at the other end of the scale. I purposely avoid tall anything (except men). Even if I sit in a booth at certain restraunts, I have to ask for a booster seat to put my feet on so they will touch the floor. Good luck in your quest.

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  10. well, being 6 feet tall I am able to hook a “cheek” on the seat and slide in. But I still think that high tables are the work of the devil. I love to be able to put my feet on the floor when I am eating or chatting. I agree they look good, but are not comfy.
    Love you blog and keep up the wonderful work for the alzhiemers research.

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