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.
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