Only a crazy person would substitute teach!

          As a substitute teacher, for 3 years now, in 4 school systems, I feel as if I've seen it all. Until something new happens! Then I have a new story to add to the stack.
          Subbing is hard work. My goal is to help the kids learn to the best of their ability while they are in my care. This can be a problem. Too many kids are mainstreamed (in my way of thinking). These kids are literally off the walls! Some schools are very good at providing aides for children with learning/attention issues.  I think if parents knew how some kids behaved they would want to at least occasionally visit the schools to see what their child's classroom is like. I don't think many of them do. I have taught in schools I would not want my child to attend. One school I won't go back to as a sub, at least for now! Now that they have a new principal, I might give them another chance in a few months. One nice thing, I have many schools to choose from.
         I really love these kids, (well most of them)! I see myself in so many of them. Awkward, tall, short, skinny, geeky, feeling stupid and just trying to blend in- or stand out. A way to get attention is all some of them want. I truly wish I could go into some of their homes and see where their behavior is coming from. What makes them so shy? Why don't they wash their hair. Do they have running water? Do they eat on a regular basis, for that matter?
         In one room it was the last hour. The whole day had gone pretty well. It was social studies. There were assignments for each period. This hour, I just had a feeling when I saw a girl I had had before mosey her way into the room. They had just started their assignments when she saw a boy drawing. She immediately started giving art advice with a normal non-whispering voice. I let it go for a few minutes, thinking they would get back to work. Finally I said, "Time to get back to work!" Wow. That did not go over well. You think I'd ask them to drink poison koolaid! I asked her if she wanted to go to the RTC room. (Even I am not sure what that means, but I get the drift.) She loudly grabbed her gear and started fuming about how unfair I was, and other blather, while her friends chimed in. I asked if they would like to join her. Apparently they did, because five more of them grabbed their backpacks and followed her loudly protesting, out of the classroom. And then - near silence. I was left with the kids who really did want to learn and work. The rest of the hour flew pleasantly by. I was amazed! I do not like to send kids out of the room, however now we really had an atmosphere for learning. Sweet!

Sunshine and Rain

     A quick glance at my lesson plans for the day, brought an eye roll and a groan from me as the first thing I noticed was a 2nd hour! 2nd hour!!! No first hour. Sweet! I got up at fricking o'clock, chugged my cup of coffee on snow and ice covered roads (no, I didn't hurry! I left in plenty of time) to find that I had arrived to teach an empty room first hour. Nice. I don't really need an hour of prep time when the teacher has already done that and assignments (tests) are lined up on the table for my physics students. (yes, I find it strange that lots of teachers save tests for sub days!)
     Oh, I don't really mind an hour to myself. In fact, this empty time resulted in the birth of this blog!
I am not really wondering why there is a shortage of substitute teachers. I have a bachelor's degree in Human Service. No one can say I don't care about my students. I love them. My husband is retired and I have elderly parents who need help on occasion. I like a flexible schedule. I could have a great full time job, with benefits. But I don't have the time to be completely tied down!
     And I have a pretty good time, most of the time. When a child comes up and gives you a spontaneous hug, well, that is truly priceless. Most days are pretty uneventful.
     However, every once in a while!!! Whew! is all I can say!
     I sat with 2 elementary teachers in the teacher's lounge the other day, and they mentioned they were both retiring. My own mother was a teacher and then did substituting for many years until her complete retirement. I asked these seasoned veterans if they intended to sub after retirement. They both looked at me with huge eyes and simultaneously exclaimed, "NO!". Ha! I get the message. Subbing is not always a walk in the park. But sometimes it is a wonderful experience. The fact that these two veteran teachers wouldn't dare substitute teach gave me pause. I felt very brave and yet reckless at the same time. It's true. You never know what to expect on any given day, and that is part of the fun.
     I love talking to the kids about their futures. With some of the homes these kids come from "future" is the last thing on their minds. Some of them have their future all mapped out like the girl in a physics class who is already slated for U of M next year, or her classmate who is running track for a prestigious private school in the fall. Wonderful. I don't worry about them, its the ones with no plan whatsoever that have me worried. You wonder what kind of daily battle they fight. No electricity, no running water, maybe no dinner - Dad or boyfriend just lost his 5th job?
     The other day I subbed for a third grade class for a half day. My usual thinking is "they can't kill me!" I am so glad it was only a half day! I actually think I would have been dead at the end of a full day, either that, or one of them would have, which wouldn't be good either!
     So I expect nothing. Sub lesson plans might be a note scribbled on a piece of paper, to a super-sophisticated website schedule with web links built in. (Those are pretty neat!)
     All I ask is a simple schedule with times, (knowing A, B, or C lunch is a good thing!)  And there is supposed to be a sub folder with all kinds of juicy information such as allergies or the number to the office. Those can be helpful!
     Once I had a first grade where there were rotating stations. The teacher noted on the lesson plans, 'Don't worry, the kids know where to go.' Well, I have an experience that says these first graders do NOT know where to go. Ha! I have steered clear of those "stations" ever since!
        Subbing keeps you on your toes. Backup resources are essential. Pick your battles. Don't back down in a challenge. Ever. Be firm. Give warnings. And, mostly, remember to love them all.