On Substitute Teaching
At the begining of the school year I had signed up to be a sub in the local school district. THis week was the first time I was called. I got to sub in a 4th grade class. All my training in education was for secondary ed. and I was once a certified shop teacher, but fourth graders… I know know how Arnold the Governator felt in Kindergarten Cop. In one brief afternoon I understood why our educational system is in dire straits. We are training our kids to … you fill in the rest!
One good thing that happened however was the realization that I at last still have at least a fourth grade level of skill in math. I now repent of all the stuff I did to our substitute teachers when I was in fourth grade. Amazingly I even knew all their tricks (and some which they didn’t know about! - like … well I better not tell my secrets.) First there was the scrambled desks trick, and it’s variation, scrambled names. I told the kids, “Sit wherever you want, and since I don’t know you anyway, you can use whatever name you want too.” But when it came time for the math test I had 12 hands raised at once wanting some help.
Another thing I learned was never turn your back for one second on the class. Teachers must develop their hind eyes. I must get some of those mirror glasses which let you see behind you.
At the end of the day, I survived, despite not knowing hardly anything. If they call me again, I’ll go, but I hope they call me to the high school instead.
God bless all you elementary teachers out there. And to all my teachers from first grade through college: Please forgive me!
