rosedraws wrote: 
Do it only if you are not going to feel resentful about it, because neither you nor your students will have fun

Make the positive/negative list and by the time you're done, you will have your answer.

 rosedraws wrote: 
Is it possible that the negatives could be balanced out by the stimulation that you'll get from the students? And there will be at least a couple of talented, enjoyable kids even in the 1st year class. Could it be a rut-breaker? I do miss the student interaction I had in my old (hell) job.

And, like someone else suggested, find ways to make the trip "to town" worth while. Visit existing clients, find new clients?

 rosedraws wrote:
 
Any customers for the regular business in this town? Prospects? Could you spend the day and develop any?

Think this might lead to any other teaching opportunities? Call it a loss leader for a semester and have the school build the class schedule next term so you have a higher teaching/driving ratio?

 rosedraws wrote: 
My wife was in a similar position last year.

I agree that it hardly seems worth the effort, but if you turn this down, what are the chances of the arts college asking you again to teach? If no biggie and you're not concerned about them to that degree, then so be it.

Could you possibly somehow reconvey that you DID have glowing reviews, that you're obviously qualified and well-received, but that the two half-days schedule doesn't make it economically feasible for you to take it on? Maybe this might cause them to rethink and make you a better deal that works for both of you.

Another thought is to convey, in such a manner that doesn't sound like grandstanding, that from previous experience you know that you work best with students who are beyond the first-year level. That way you can save yourself the grief of this engagement, but still leave the door open for future teaching assignments.

 rosedraws wrote: 
Do you have other prospects?

Sorry you feel behind the eight-ball about this. I can offer advice on how to make the drive palatable - Recorded Books.

Good luck making your decision.

I was offered a teaching position at an arts college in the city. (It's a 45 min drive minimum each way.)

2 half days per week. 

Graphic Design I (ie, 1st-year students)

I taught Illustration IV in the spring... but that was 3rd-year students, and it was illustration, and it was one full day a week.  (I got fairly glowing student reviews).  It was hard but the money was, well, money.

The hourly rate is lousy, especially considering the class prep time and the driving (3hrs minimum a week).  It's a fraction of what I get as a designer or illustrator...  But my workflow has been weak lately.

I don't know if I have the patience for 1st-year students.  No, really.  I'm terrible with overentitled brats, and there is a lot of them in art school.

I feel like I gotta take it, even if it's hard and lousy because I need the money.

Thoughts?