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!