How to Substitute Teach

Substitute teaching is much more of a detached babysitting position than anything else. Whereas babysitters are expected to play with the kids, substitute teachers are really just there to make sure that the kids don't burn down the school or write all over each other with dry erase markers. Figuring out how to work the VCR is probably the most persistant challenge I have faced in my entire tenure as a substitute. I mean, kids in my school district are the same as they are anywhere else: they see a substitute teacher and become giddy with excitement about all the torture they can inflict. Thankfully, I mainly work in the high school, so students are a bit past that stage. Well, most are.

Yesterday, however, I was a substitute for a middle school Spanish teacher. Poor woman, I honestly can't imagine having to face packs of twelve and thirteen year olds everyday. In all seriousness, I began to wonder if there was some kind of prevalent birth defect in kids born in this area during the late eighties. Why do they all have ADD/ADHD? All I can do is laugh, though, because the kids are adorable in a cute/awkward way and do some pretty clever things. (and by clever, I do mean mischevious, but funny nonetheless)

Today I am back in familiar territory, substituting for a high school Spanish and German teacher. What a difference a few years make! I guess those middle schoolers will turn out all right in the end.

Once the class settles down I have free time to read or use the teacher's computer. This has given me a chance to check up on blogs that I haven't read in a while. Even though it is no where near as good as seeing or talking with the people I care about, at least the blogs catch me up on all that I have missed in their lives. (I really like Liz's post about this, you put it really well Lizard!) We are all so busy and going in so many different directions, it is really nice to have a place to go to that makes me feel like I am not totally out of touch with the people I care about. So Newmie/Seilie, Liz, Pearlman, Caryl, Georgia, Paloma and Theresa, thanks for that. I miss you guys more than words can say, but I hope you know I am thinking about you! (and periodically checking your blogs whenever I find a chance and the kids aren't chucking books at one another!)