Another milestone...My 1 year virtual teaching Annieverary!
It seems obvious now that virtual teaching could have always been an option to teach my friends, but until the world shut down, it was never on my radar. Maybe because I am not tech savvy or maybe there were not as many people that would have searched for virtual classes, but thanks to going virtual, I am still teaching.
I have taught friends, family, become friends with you all and met your families, taught your families I have been invited into YOUR homes with open arms (through zoom), I have taught you for birthdays, date nights, holiday parties, anniversaries, classes to connect you with loved ones, kids classes, corporate events, bachelorette parties, library events. You have always thought of me as a “gift” for someone that would like to learn something new which gives me the biggest JOY that you choose me and yes, it still surprises me sometimes that I am your “gift” to someone. Truly the best compliment ever besides, that the desserts I am teaching are great:)
You have showed up again and again and again and you keep signing up, you continue to purchase gift cards, and keep up with me and my crazy posts, newsletters and schedule changes.
I have seen many of you more than 2 dozen times and am hopeful to see you all at some point in the near future. Virtual classes are not going anywhere. I am hopeful to go back to in person classes, but am still planning on keeping virtual as long as you continue to sign up for them even when in person classes return.
I run this business alone and after 3 1/2 years, I am still working on figuring out the non-baking stuff. It is A LOT to figure out and as I felt like I was getting my footing pretty well, the pandemic hit.
I had hoped to have as close to the same experience that I could to my real life classes, but wasn’t sure how that would look.
I not only had to figure out how to use Zoom, I literally placed a folding table in the middle of my kitchen, set up a computer and was fortunate to have 2 friends in Sacramento be my first virtual students.
I have had students joining me from all over the world, the connections are actually going deeper than they were in person and people are learning and wanting to learn and understand much more than I ever thought.
In person classes were amazing and I am anxious to get back to them for soo many reasons. There are definitely differences between virtual and in person, but the things that remain the same, I have THE BEST STUDENTS EVER! I literally do a happy dance when you buy a ticket, when you buy a gift card or find me and join me as part of a celebration, a reward for yourself, a way to connect with people, a way to learn how to take the fear out of baking and how to make it more fun.
I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting students in different countries, states and sometimes down the street. The energy never changes.
I have gone through many challenges behind the scenes with my website design, re-evaluating how I teach, figuring out exactly what each student will need for class, and learning how to accommodate private events, kids camps and “demo” style events.
It has all been A LOT to learn and I would say I loved every minute of it, I love every minute of the teaching, baking and connecting with all of you, the other stuff that I don’t love— the non-baking stuff- will always challenge me. I am extremely proud and grateful to still be teaching and cannot wait for the future of my business.
Some of the things my students have said about my classes include the following:
Personable
Informative
Super easy
Patient
Never minds answering questions
takes you through each step
relaxed
fun and safe
fun and delicious
thorough
warm
yummy
fabulous results
silver lining
My words for my students are the following:
Fun
Eager to learn
Patient
Amazing energy
Open
Accepting of their missteps and trying again
Accepting of my missteps and continuing to come back.
Great listeners
Great bakers!
Engaging
the best teachers are my students
I am hoping to see you in a class soon! I truly cannot imagine doing anything else. Thank you for 1 year of virtual teaching and over 3 years of teaching and sooooo much love and support. You continue to keep me smiling and pushing forward on even the most challenging days.
xoxo
Annie