Mortifying situation

[PooleySpooley]

I am doing futher education through my work.

I am a professional and now have to do one of the core subjects which I never achieved at GCSE (not English), lied about but couldn’t produce the certificate so have to do an evening class.

I have started, it’s a small group of very mixed abilities and there is a teacher and a TA type person.

Tonight she stood over me twice (while I was trying to remember the basics and was perfectly capable of doing them) and then she sat next to me and was doing the work with me - asking questions to help me like I am about 5.

I said I think I have this thanks but she seemed really upset and offended.

WTF do I do? I am quite intelligent am not an idiot but I just didn’t manage to get this at school

I was no good at maths at school either. Luckily I never needed it afterwards!

My understanding is that in a school, the TA would be there to help specific children with special educational needs or behavioural issues.

In an adult education setting, I am not sure how this works. How do they know who needs help? Maybe you had a puzzled look on your face?

I imagine it would be really distracting having someone hovering over you and interfering while you were trying to do the exercises. How are you meant to focus and think things through?

Did the main teacher not teach you something about fractions before the exercise? Or was the exercise more to see what people in the class already knew about fractions?

OP I find it hard to imagine you have reached such a high level in your career, managing many people, and are so well thought of by your company, that you have not aquired the skills to diplomatically and politely tell someone you don't need their help?

I agree

^nailed it^

PooleySpooley, I'd have a quiet word and explain the situation. Like you said you want to do it yourself and will ASK if you need help. I'm sure that if the person knows their presence is making 'you freeze' then this is unfair on you and can be avoided. The job is to help not burden. Just politely make it clear of if you need help you will ask. Good luck with getting your GCSE!