Apprehension in looking for a teacher/approaching monastics

I'm 30 years old, very new to Buddhism, with roughly two years of light study and have now finally become dedicated enough to start an ongoing mediation and precept practice each day.

I find myself feeling very unworthy and ignorant when it comes to approaching, speaking to, and learning from monastics or even just people who are considered teachers of the path. I'm sure it just comes from a fear of seeming like an ignorant newbie (which shouldn't be a fear since I truly am an ignorant newbie) and I also have a deep fear of disrespecting monks/nuns and other teachers.

I live in Northern California in an area rich with resources including two wonderful monasteries, one Mahayana (The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas) and one Theravada (Abhayagiri). I've visited before and always feel myself filled with fear that I'll act the wrong way, say the wrong thing or offend someone there. Probably because I did once and have never forgiven myself for it. I entered a hall and bowed with some monks, which is sometimes allowed, but it was during a private meditation and I was ejected and felt awful. Either way, even with that aside I feel out of place.

Are these the places to seek teaching? Should I wait to seek teaching until I've delved more deeply and studied harder alone? Or should I just jump in, possibly offend some people or traditions, and hope they accept me and are willing to teach?

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Thanks in advance!

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