many hats 101

what the heck?

2011-10-21T11:14:00.011-05:00

First of all, I would like to apologize to our loyal fan base for not posting more often. You would think we both would have more to say after spending our days with students. Come on, Teacher, let's post more often!......I am the first person your kids see every day.. well, at least if they ride my bus. If not, then they see someone else. I greet all my kids with a good morning, or I like your hat, or something to let them know I see them. Today was one of the best days.. Let me give you some background. .....I like to wear winter hats. I like to wear them when it's cold, not just all the time as we see some tween/teen doing. It's been rather chilly here and have worn some hats this week. Yesterday I had on one that looks like the black bomb angry bird.. today, was a sock monkey. At my second stop, a very cute girl, I think 1st grade, has on a sock monkey hat, too! (her hat was better than mine.. much cuter) I got all excited and told her that her hat was great. Her mom came up to the service door and chatted a minute with me. Nice way to start the morning. .....After my other six stops and picking up all my kids (about 65), we are off to school. And yes, I have a full bus. Seven stops, some picking up 15, 16 kids, makes a full bus. When we get to school and are unloading, some of the older kids.. 5th grade... who are the last off the bus are nearing the front, they tell me they like my hat. I thank them.. they say I am cool. (hahahhahhaha... ) I ask them if I am cooler than the driver in the PM.. (I drive for a different ele and then a middle school in the PM) and they say yes!, I am cooler. HA! I tell them they should ask Mr. Dwayne to sing for them as he looks like Cee Lo Green. The one girl can't stop laughing because that is who SHE thinks he looks like, too!

It was just a great morning.
Should I post my hats? Ok, you twisted my arm.

Start of another year

2011-08-21T20:55:00.002-05:00

It's the start of a new year and new "rules". Our district has a new superintendent--who has shaken things up. We have been given a new dress code--because we are professionals! I really don't think the clothes/shoes I wear will influence the test scores of my students. However, I will do what I am asked to do. I'm a rule follower. I have no idea what I am going to wear tomorrow. I have so many new outfits...but I have to make sure I am comfortable.

I am moving on up with my kids this year. If you asked me in June, I'd say I was doing it kicking and screaming. But now, I'm ready. I have haerd from a bunch of kids who seem happy with the fact as well. I will let you know how it goes.

Happy New School Year to all!!!!

Silly Children....

2011-05-14T10:52:00.005-05:00

On May 6th, one of the teachers in our hallway purchased a cheeseburger from the cafeteria for lunch. After she put mayonnaise on her sandwich, she realized she purchased a chopped beef sandwich from a fundraiser. She decided to give her uneaten cheeseburger to a student. She chose Aaron. Aaron did not eat the burger, nor did he take it home. He left it in his locker over the weekend! The air conditioning on our campus shuts off on Friday and doesn't come on until someone fixes it on Monday--usually around noon or so. The temp in our building Monday morning was approximately 87 degrees. Around 2:30 on Monday, we had locker clean-out. Aaron found his cheeseburger. Another student, Martin, offered Aaron $1 to eat the cheeseburger. SO. HE. DID!!!!!!!! One bite. The kids in the room started making noises and the teacher in the room was alerted to the situation. Another teacher and I made Aaron go to the restroom and throw up. Told him to stick his fingers down his throat if he had to. Thankfully, he was successful with this as our nurse had nothing to offer to help in the process. When I asked him why and he told me about the dollar, I told him I would give him the money next time!

Whew!!! Trip to the ER or a VERY sick child was averted!!! Hopefully he learned his lesson!!!

endangered species

2011-05-13T11:40:00.003-05:00

I hear some pretty interesting stuff on the cb radio while driving the school bus. This is what I heard this morning.

-bus 1234 to base
-base here
-environmental call today.. there is a turtle on Street XYZ just north of Hawthorne. I can see it won't make it up the curb and they are an endangered species....you might want to call the police to let them know.
-10-4
-why don't you just run over it? (this is from another driver)
-alright, enough guys (THIS is from base)

I wonder what I will hear this afternoon.

no radio

2011-05-05T21:53:00.006-05:00

Just a few notes to catch this blog up with my happenings...

One day last week was a real bummer. On our buses we use what is called Zonar. It is a computer aide when we do our pretrip. Well, my Zonar wasn't working. That's number one. Then, just as all my kids leave the bus at the school for morning drop off, my wiper falls off. It was a dark, cloudy sort of day and raining. The wiper on the driver's side flipped backwards and was just hanging there. I can't drive with it this way so now what?! I drive the bus out of the school loading zone and park on the side of the street where I always do my student check. I used the radio to base... I am thinking someone from shop will have to come out and change it. They ask if I can move the one from the passenger side to the driver side... Well, here it is. In case you haven't been next to a school bus, up close, in some time, they are tall. And if you know me.. and for those of you who do not... I am short. There is a step right there so I use that. I can't do it. I am stepping on the tiny step, hanging on the handle, leaning over the bus... And the entire wiper is off. Bracket and all. I get back in the bus and radio in that I cannot change it.. I am too short!! Apparently while I was out dangling on the bus, a fellow driver said he would stop to see what he could do. He arrived and after opening the hood of the engine, he stood on the wheel and was able to change the wipers for me. (For those who don't know, the hood opens out so there was plenty of room for him to stand on the wheel.) Mind you, I was hoping and praying this nice enough man would not slip and fall off my bus! End of story, he got it changed and I was able to drive back to base. I then left it with the mechanics who had it changed by my afternoon route.

In the afternoon, one of the turns I need to make is a hard right turn. The town I drive in has very narrow streets and sharp right turns. The word is if you can drive in this town, you can drive just about anywhere. Well, I have trouble with this one turn almost every day...and the trouble isn't so much with my driving but rather that a mail truck parks just about at the end of the street...making my right turn almost impossible. I have at times, ~~sshh, don't tell anyone~~ had to back up to make the turn. So anyway, one of the kids says really loud when we get to the intersection from H-E-double hockey sticks, "Yeah! No mail truck today. Whoo hoot!"

I then laughed out loud.

On with the afternoon route. When only a few kids remained on the bus, it was relatively quiet. One of the kids shouts out.. "Hey, Miss Bus Driver. Can you turn on the radio?" *wink* I don't have a radio other than my cb for communication between the bus and dispatch.

Although the day began somewhat crummy, I ended up smiling a few times before all was over with. Thanks, kids, for the smiles.

change of plans

2011-04-11T17:15:00.000-05:00

Yes, if you are visiting us again, you can see that I am no longer a substitute teacher. With the economy that way that it is, and with districts cutting teachers left and right (recently a local district cut a couple hundred teachers..with the explanation that probably more than half will return...but in the mean time, what do the parents think? What do those educators do about finding a job doing what they love?), I figure if I can't teach them, I will drive them there so someone else can.

Yes, people, you heard right. I am no longer the substitute. I AM THE SCHOOL BUS DRIVER. Today marks day five of driving my own route. Most of my students are bilingual and usually are speaking Spanish on the bus. I do know some of the naughty words but have only heard "shut up" in Spanish. My biggest peeve is that they seem to like to stand up and change seats while I am driving. Nope, not on my bus. I already have a nick name for one student. Chris the chip. You see, last week, someone was crunching away so I asked, "Who is eating?" No one answered so I asked again. "Who is eating potato chips?" Finally one student said that he was. I then said to him, "Here's the deal. If I find one chip or crumb on the seat or the floor, you won't eat again on my bus. Deal?" He shook his head in agreement. After dropping everyone off, I checked my bus for kids and much to my surprise, I did not find one morsel anywhere. The next day, I was sure to give a kudos to him. He just smiled at me. Today, he was eating chips again. I laughed and said, "Chip boy is at it again, huh?" He laughed and told me his name was Christopher. He then added that I could call him Chris the Chip.

Oh, yah...I almost forgot. The last few kids were on the bus and they were chatting away. The only two words I could understand ... brace yourselves... the ONLY TWO WORDS I could understand with the Spanish chatter were:

JUSTIN BIEBER.

Recent Event

2011-03-16T20:30:00.002-06:00

Last week, the high school in my district where my students go after they have me held a special event. I briefly heard about it just before it happened. Then, I heard a little more that night. The next day, I read about it in the newspaper. I just have to say this: My district is AWESOME!!!!!! They really went above and beyond the norm. Even in this rough time of teacher layoffs, and budget cuts, I'm proud to be a part of this district. That said....here is what happened.

3 years ago, a freshman student "Joe" was diagnosed with a form of cancer in his leg which resulted in his leg being amputated. The cancer came back and attacked his lungs. Joe had a portion of his right lung removed. Throughout this entire ordeal, Joe never gave up. He worked very hard to keep his grades up and to stay with his class. The cancer came back and is in his left lung. The doctors can do nothing more for this young man. Because of his dreams and goals in life, he pushed harder and completed all of his coursework to graduate...not in May with the rest of his class, but now, in March. The high school put together a graduation ceremony for Joe. It wasn't a small ceremony either. The entire auditorium was filled. The band played, the choir sang, the school board was there....everything like a "real" graduation ceremony. The best part of this story though??? Joe isn't finished. His new goal is to graduate from college and be an engineer.

Even if he doesn't complete this next goal, he has inspired an entire community. Way to go, Joe!!

new school, new state

2010-11-06T15:45:00.003-06:00

Well, I did it. I subbed again. In a new school, a new district, a new state. I moved back to my home state after some life changes and am subbing again. While I am not new to subbing (I have subbed now in three different states for a combined 5-6 years), I was nervous. This is the largest suburban area I have subbed in and was a bit nervous.

But you know what?

Once the kids came in, it was like putting on an old hat.

And it felt great.

WOW!!!

2010-10-20T23:25:00.002-05:00

That is ALL I can say about an incident in school today. I took some of my kiddos with me to our Spanish teacher's classroom. She has several posters around the room--one of them being a portrait of George Washington. I had a student ask "Is that the Mexican George Washington?"
SAY WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!? Then, the question was asked by another student "Do you say announcements in Spanish?" We were both confused, but figured out what was being asked--Did the Spanish class get the morning announcement in English or Spanish? Well, since the entire school is connected, the answer would be NO!

Eye-Opener

2010-06-18T19:08:00.002-05:00

I subbed for a 5th grade math teacher in summer school the other day. I think I have figured out a HUGE part of the problem with the math scores in this country....KIDS CAN'T READ!!!! OR, THEY CHOOSE NOT TO!!!!

Approximately 95% of the students missed one of the problems. It was a fairly easy problem...but they skipped the word "twice". They knew the process to use to solve the problem, but becuase they missed that one little word, they got the problem wrong. I asked one kid to read the problem outloud to me, and he refused. Eventually, he gave into my goading and read the problem. When he finished, I asked him what major word did he skip over the first time. He told me!!! He then took about 5 seconds to calculate the correct answer. UGH!!!

If we are going to test the math ability of students, WHY ARE WE USING A STINKIN' READING TEST TO DO IT???????

KG escapee

2010-06-02T19:26:00.003-05:00

I was subbing the other day. I had one of many lunch recess duties. I was in charge of the third grade class. Some other classes also came outside while I was out there. Teachers and staff know to strategically place ourselves in the correct "position" so that we can view all areas of the playground with just the turn of our heads.

It was rather chaotic and as we tried to watch all the kids, I see a young student climbing over the fence. CLIMBING OVER THE FENCE! I ran over, shouting, "hey, what are you doing?" To which the boy responds, "I needed my car." WHAT? Since I did not want him climbing back over, risking getting hurt upon going back over the fence, I walked alongside of him...him on the outside, me on the inside...to the door. Then once he was inside, I ran to the recess door and met him in the hallway. We chatted about it, and we both went out to recess. I watched him like a hawk and when it was my time to go back inside, I asked the other teacher to use the radio and ask our principal to meet me outside my classroom's door.

I told him what happened and he sighed and sorta laughed. Apparently this student is known to do odd things. I do not know what the punishment was...but is was rather amusing that a KG student climbed over the fence.

First time for everything.

Interesting observation....

2010-05-31T21:13:00.002-05:00

Many teachers on my campus are showing movies these last few days of school....what else is there to do when half of your class is being pulled out for this incentive or that program and your grades have to be turned in almost a week before school is out???? Because this time of the year has the kids turning into complete aliens--as in forms of life we don't recognize--our team has an incentive party. This year, only 10 students were not allowed to participate. SWEET!!!! (We make them responsible for their behavior--and most step up to the plate!) One of the activities we have are movies in the afternoon. Each room shows something different. Almost every room had a "new" movie....one the kids have probably seen a million times....or at least twice! The kids were talking and doing things other than watching. I showed 2 movies...one that has been re-done recently and one based on a true story. Both are pretty old considering--one from 1971 and the other from 1995. The kids watched the first intently and were TOTALLY mesmerized by the second....I almost wonder if these kids would have ever seen either movie if i hadn't shown them.

That would be sad.

The End is Near....

2010-05-30T20:23:00.002-05:00

Yup, the end of the school year is almost here. Our academic team had an awards ceremony the other day. I created a memories video--and cried. I'm really gonna miss a lot of these kids. Every year, you have a group of kids that you really get to know and love. Some years, more than others. That's this year. I really enjoy ALL of my kids--even the ones some people refer to as PITA's. I'm very thankful for the kiddos that I have.

I have a lot of plans for this summer....I'd venture a guess that I don't even finish 25% of what I want to!!! How sad is that????

Tell me why.....

2010-05-16T23:03:00.002-05:00

Do parents think they know more about how I should do my job than I do??? I've been chastised TWICE this year about how I conduct things in my classroom. The first parent complained because I showed a movie. After I explained, she was cool. Now, I have a parent complaining because I'm still teaching.

Please, Parents, LET ME DO MY JOB!!!!!!!!!

Teacher Appreciation Week

2010-05-05T22:13:00.002-05:00

Yup, that's this week. Do I care? Not really. However, I am slightly aggravated with others that I work with. You see, they have posted not one, but TWO status updates on a social networking site about it. Telling people it is this week and there are only two days left. To me, that is like DEMANDING that someone appreciate you. It's when people appreciate you when you least expect it that makes all the difference....and means SO much more!!!!

For example, this past Friday our school hosted a fun event for the kids. It was an evening full of games--4 hours worth! I thought it would be boring, but I was WRONG! (The best part was the student-teacher dodgeball game. The kids could only come as far forward as the half-court line. The teachers could cross and go all the way to the free-throw line. Teachers also had unlimited life. LOVED IT--even though I did take a couple of balls to the head/face. Thankfully they were soft.) While at the event, two parents started a conversation with me about their kiddos. Both thanked me for what I do to help their kids and said they were thankful for the work that I give their kids because it prepares them for high school. On Saturday, I helped chaperone the fine arts departments trip to a local water park. (Fun, fun!!! But, I forgot the sunscreen so I'm a bit red at the moment...) One of the music directors and I engaged in a conversation about kids and homework. She also thanked me for preparing her child for high school. (He's now a sophomore in college.)

Another example?? A few weeks ago, I was getting ready to leave after a late night when I noticed a police car in the parking lot. I asked the other coach if she knew what was going on. Before she could answer, the police officer was standing at the door. We opened it and the officer pointed to me and said "I'm looking for you!" (About a million thoughts went through my head--none were correct!) I had taught this particular officer a few years ago and she was now tutoring some kids who were having difficulty in math. She remembered a strategy I used and wanted to use it with these kids.

That is what teacher appreciation is! Not some cheesy gifts that cost way too much money from PTA's/PTO's/Parent Booster Clubs/Administrators!!!! (I hope that doesn't make me sound ungrateful....I do appreciate when those groups do activities or supply gifts....I'm just saying....)

Kids these days.....

2010-04-20T21:59:00.003-05:00

We have several students who have not been successful on our state test in the past. We offer many different strategies to help them become successful this year. My question though is "How do you make THEM care?" I feel like I have participated in an IronMan competition and they haven't even crossed the starting line. I have stayed after school to provide tutoring--even purchasing snacks for them with my own money--and they don't even attend. I am not in my classroom the last period of the day, but I have another teacher in there. I have told her to NOT let them leave the room. Yet, every day, I return to an empty classroom. I have called parents. I have sent letters. I have even assigned detention to get them there. To no avail.

This is the future of our country!!!!! Pretty scary!!!

I actually had a conversation with one of the kids the other day that went like this....

Teacher: Are you breathing?
Student: What do you mean?
T: Are you breathing?
S: I don't know what you mean.
T: Are you breathing at the moment?
S: Yeah, I guess.
T: Good--because that is the only thing you are doing!!!

April Fool's Day

2010-04-03T15:40:00.002-06:00

Last Thursday was April Fool's Day. I really hadn't planned on pulling any pranks on my kids, but it just seemed to happen naturally...after I realized that I can keep a straight face quite well. Earlier in the week, the top of one of my desks came unfastened on one side. This caused the desk to flip up if pressure was applied to the front. The first student in my third period class to bang the top while signing for their progress report happened to be the daughter of our Parent Booster club. I thought I would mess around with her. (When the desk first became loose in that class period, I told the boy who sat there that he would have to pay for the desk if it came apart.) So, I told this girl that she broke the desk and would have to pay for it. She was kind of upset, but I figured she would realize I wasn't serious. After school that day at tennis, I asked another student about it. She commented that she thought I was serious. I couldn't believe that. The next day, I polled the class and THEY thought I was serious! So, on April 1st, I said a lot of things and they kept asking "April Fool's?" WHAT FUN I HAD!!!!

vacation

2010-03-20T16:02:00.002-06:00

I was subbing the other day and had a bit of time at the end of the day before dismissal (I was a sub for a reading teacher and guided reading groups were over), so I wandered into the office. There was a student sitting there who was talking to the secretary and this is how the conversation went:

student: Can I have a vacation form?

secretary: Are you going on vacation?

student: No, I just want the form.

me: So, do you think just by having the form you will be going on vacation?

student: Yup.

secretary and me: Hahahhahahahahhahaha!!

WTF????

2010-03-16T15:14:00.002-06:00

If your child came home from school saying "Mom, we get to use the F-word, the N-word, and WTF if math class", WHAT WOULD YOU DO???? Hopefully you would question your child more instead of just calling the school and complaining.

These are 3 teaching methods I use in class. The F-word means Formula Word. There are five formula words that we use--Area, Perimeter, Circumference, Volume, and Surface Area. The N-word means NOT. For some reason, kids skip over that three-letter word that means so much. WTF=What's the Formula?? When we are finding the area of a shape, I make the kids do a multi-step process. List the shape, list the "F-word", write WTF and the formula, plug and chug (fill in the numbers and solve), write the answer, write the label. If they do this every time, they are almost certain to get the correct answer!

This just makes learning a little more fun!

Homework

2010-03-07T18:49:00.002-06:00

What is the deal with students and homework? When I was in school--many, many, many years ago--we had homework daily. Researchers suggest students are successful if they have 10 minutes for every year in school they are in--seventh graders should have 70 minutes of homework a night. My students have about 15-20 minutes of math homework a night--if they waste time in class and don't finish. No other subject in our school gives homework regularly...well, reading has them read their library book for homework. I average 1-7 kids per class period DAILY who do not have their homework finished. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?????? My policy is to have the kids call home each day when they do not have their homework finished. I have kids who call home DAILY! AND THEY ACTUALLY TALK TO THEIR MOM OR DAD DAILY!!! Why are these parents not requiring their kids to do their work?????? Then, when the kid fails, the parent has the nerve to question ME!

In order to be successful in Math, you HAVE TO HAVE HOMEWORK!!!!!!

pronouns

2010-02-26T10:00:00.004-06:00

Has it really been that long?

This past Monday and Tuesday, I was subbing in a third grade classroom. I was introducing object and subject pronouns. For whatever reason, the kids were just not getting it. We talked about pronouns in general at first..how they take the place of nouns. What is a noun? What is a pronoun? Then when we replace the noun with a pronoun and it was originally the subject of the sentence, it is the subject pronoun. The object pronouns were more complicated. If it comes after an action verb or is the object of a preposition, it is an object pronoun. We dissected sentences, I made up sentences that were not on the ditto, etc, to try to get across how to know the difference.

Finally, one girl says, "My light bulb just went on!" I cheered and had the warm and fuzzy feeling that comes with teaching. A few minutes later, another student says to me, "Miss L, my light bulb is only flickering. Can you explain it again, please?"

post 35

2009-09-08T09:49:00.003-05:00

Today is the first day of school in our district. Our theme is reach for the stars this year. There is always some sort of assembly to get the kids into the new year. The kids and staff were all given 3D glasses...there were white holiday lights strung up with "reaching for the stars" accessories. I tried to capture the feeling that was given so here you go.

The photo below was taken through the 3D glasses lens...you can see the stars!

A New School Year....

2009-09-07T22:26:00.003-05:00

It has begun! And, let me tell you, I'm Lovin' It!!! I've had quite the adventures already. Some sad, some funny!!!!!

Don't want to go into the sad stuff...too depressing! Besides, there are some legal issues preventing the conversation as well.

However, I can tell the funny!!

I have a student this year who wants to be called Nacho. Most of my Yankee friends will make a face and act as if this kid is nuts. However, it is a common "nickname" for a popular Hispanic name. (Kind of like Jim is short for James!) Our campus is on a block schedule--alternating A and B days. I happen to be lucky and see my kids every day still. On the second day of class, Nacho was missing. The kids were beside themselves asking "Where's Nacho?" They didn't give me a chance to locate him. I started making phone calls...to the teacher he has after me, to the teacher before me, to the front office. The entire time, the kids are repeating "Where's Nacho?" Finally, I couldn't help myself. I looked at them and said "I have to say it...It's Nacho Business!" All of them laughed and laughed. Nacho appeared about 20 minutes later--after the teacher he has after me realized he was in her room. (Hello???? Didn't I call and ask???)

This past week, Nacho was the topic of another funny moment. (Poor kid! I hope he doesn't think I'm picking on him!) I looked at him and said "I don't know why this happens--it's not logical, it doesn't make sense...I know it's crazy! However, every time I say your name, in my head I go cinco, seis." (Nacho, cinco, seis!) The kids all looked at me as if I had two heads or something. I repeated that I knew it was crazy and "it doesn't even sound like cuatro!" Another kid--TOTALLY SERIOUS!!!!!--says "It sounds the same....Nacho, Crotcho." I cracked up! I was laughing so hard, I had tears running down my face. He seriously thought that was what I said!!!! I asked if he was taking Spanish this year. When he said yes, I just smiled and thought....I feel for your teacher!!! Another boy looked at me and said "Miss....you went from red to yellow!" The class thought what he said was just as silly, and we laughed even harder!!!! Oh those silly seventh graders!

Off to bed....more stories to come!

Summer School

2009-06-29T23:18:00.001-05:00

I can't believe it. Summer School is almost over. One more day with my kiddos!! Then, one day with two 5th graders. Then, I'm done. Finished. Kaput. I'm so excited!!!!! I can't wait!!

I've decided that summer school is not designed to help students. The main purpose is to tear down perfectly good--sometimes great--teachers.

During the school year, discipline procedures are in place to take care of difficult students. A lot of the time, the threat of detention is good enough to cease undesirable behavior. In the summer, there is no such thing as detention. The ONLY discipline option is to send the kid to the office. Since we are trying to get them to pass a test, this isn't always an option, either. Some of the teachers were talking, and we all feel like we have no classroom management at all.

The other thought is about the group of kids we have. The majority of the students were behavior problems during the school year. Where there might be one or two bad apples in a class of 25, you now have five or six in a class of 10.

Throw in no consequences for their actions, and you have some big problems!!

We really need to come up with a better system.

Funny or Sad?

2009-06-07T11:49:00.001-05:00

Being the cheer sponsor, I have a ton of stuff in my classroom--boxes and boxes of koozies, totebags, water bottles, t-shirts, concession cups, towels, and seat cushions. (I counted at least 12 boxes the other day!)

Recently my team hosted our final academic pep rally. One of the activities at this pep rally was a relay race. Since the theme was based on auto racing, we had each team design a car out of a box. My cheer stuff had to be moved into different boxes. For a few days, the seat cushions were piled up on the floor. (These are your basic plastic covered pads with advertising on one side.) The following conversations ensued.

Me: Watch out so you don't trip over the seat cushions.

Few minutes go by.

Kid: Miss, are those life jackets?

Me: Yup (Thinking "Are you serious?")

A day or two go by.

Me: Quit goofing around and leave the seat cushions alone.

Kid: Miss, you said those were life jackets.

Me: No, you said that. Do you really think they would float since they have holes in them?!

And, this is the future of our planet.

WOW

2009-06-03T22:10:00.001-05:00

School will be over tomorrow at 12:30. Well with kids anyway. I will still have the rest of the day and all day Friday. Summer school starts on Monday for teachers and Tuesday for kids. Nice normal weekend. It will be a nice change, I hope.

The final stretch...

2009-05-10T23:12:00.002-05:00

Well, there are only 17 1/2 days left with kids for me. WOOHOO!!! It's not that I don't like my job. It's not that I don't like the kids. It's that we are tired of each other! Actually, I think every 7th grade kid in my school has LOST THEIR EVERLASTING MINDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You would think we ran a school of wild animals at the moment! Why is that you ask? Our state-mandated testing is over. YEAH!

See, because of the high-stakes attached to the tests these days--NCLB, AYP and all of those other letters--schools place a great emphasis on the tests. Which they should since that should be the curriculum being taught. So, when the tests are finished, the kids think the year is finished. IT'S NOT!

We have had more kids acting like 5 year olds on a playground than ever before. The pushing/shoving/horseplay in general is DRIVING ME NUTS!!!!!!! Why can't 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16-year-olds keep their hands to themselves??? And, we aren't talking PDA! (Yes, you did read that correctly. Thanks to high-stakes testing and NLCB, we have students from age 12-16 IN THE 7TH GRADE!!!!! We half-way joke that we will need to build a student parking lot soon.)

That is another topic for another day.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! And, to all the teachers who play mom during the school year!

Stupid Questions....

2009-05-06T06:28:00.002-05:00

I am having my students work on a project at the moment. It is about Mean, Median, Mode and Range. To complete the project, they have to survey their class mates to get data. The question should start with "How many...." and be able to be answered with a number. The goal is to get a range of numbers to use to find the measures of central tendency. Here were some of the "questions" that students wanted to ask. My replies are in parenthesis.

1. What is the exact value of pi? (First, there is no answer. Second, everyone should say the same thing!)
2. How many computers do you have? (Most people will have 0 or 1. Not a good selection.)
3. How many jewelry do you have? (I was thinking "WHAT?!?!?!?" I actually said--That is too big of a number.)

My personal favorite---
4. How many fingers do you got? (With the exception of Mrs. A, I believe EVERYONE in the building has 10!)

This is our future!!!! Kinda scary, eh?

working everyday

2009-03-18T20:47:00.005-06:00

I apologize for not being here lately. I have been busy subbing! I have been in so many different classrooms it is crazy. Today I was in our special ed inclusion 3/4 and loved it! Yesterday, half day in the afternoon, first grade. I did do quite a few days for our phys ed/reading teacher as she had a family emergency to take care of. The differences I am allowed to enjoy as a sub are immeasurable. I find it amazing and exciting to have the chance to visit and be a part of the lives of so many students.

Student Teachers....and Substitutes....

2009-03-08T20:53:00.002-06:00

First, let me describe the student teacher (ST) I had during the fall semester. She probably has her heart in the right place, but the rest of her is NOT THERE! She wants to teach math in grades 4-8. She says she ABSOLUTELY does NOT want to go lower or higher. Well, I don't think she should go higher than maybe 5th grade. It was a very bad experience for me. (Let's put it this way, if she were my first student teacher, I'd never have another one!!!)

Maybe I'm a "freak" when it comes to doing certain things in my classroom. But, I'm ultimately responsible for the learning, or lack of, that takes place in my room. I want my students to excel in everything they do. Is that wrong?

Let me give you a few examples of what my ST did wrong.

1. She told the gifted students "I don't know how to do this problem...I'll look at it later." (Hello??? YOU NEVER TELL THE "SMART" KIDS THAT!!!!!) Now, I've put some problems up for them to do and then realized it is WAY over their heads and will say "Ok--that won't work, you'll be confused, let's try this." But, I've never told them I don't know how to do a problem. (Once I told them I was having a brain freeze and called another teacher, but they didn't think bad of me!)

2. She was so mild mannered, she let the kids walk all over her. One day, they were so out-of-control. When I asked her what the consequences were, she said none. She said the whole class was bad. I replied "Then you write 15 detentions!!!!!! (Yes, this is a VERY small class and she couldn't handle it!)

3. She cried in front of them. OMG! This is the biggest mistake of all times. You know the commerical "Never let them see you sweat?" Well, for a teacher, it's "Never let them see you cry!" It was all over from that point on. She never had their respect. EVER!

Well, my dear ST was a sub in our hallway (next to my room) on Friday. She did ok for the first class, but not so well the rest of the day. During fourth period, I opened the connecting doors and yelled at the class. See, my kids were working quietly (which is amazing in itself for that class!), and all of a sudden we hear a student yell "What the hel-?" I looked at my kids and before I could say "Did I hear what I think I heard?", they all shook their heads and said YUP! When I said something to that room about profanity, ST looked at me like a deer in the headlights. After school when I saw her, she said she couldn't figure out what I was talking about. She said maybe I thought I heard her say only part of the word class. When I told her what was said, she went "Oh, I know who said that." I looked at her like "WHAT?!?!?!?!?" She told me the kid who said it and then so profoundly stated "I heard her say it, but I guess I just didn't realize it was wrong." HELLO?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Since when is that acceptable in a school????

Well, I just really, Really, REALLY, REALLY wish the sub could be a sub in our school. At least then our classrooms would be run like they should!!!!

State pledge....

2009-03-01T21:21:00.002-06:00

In the state of Texas, our ~~great~~ congressmen and women decided that every school child would say the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag and the Texas Flag and have a moment of silence (to do whatever) every day.

(For those of you who don't know it, the Texas Pledge goes like this: Honor the Texas Flag, I Pledge Allegiance to Thee, Texas, One State Under God, One and Indivisible.)

Now, I disagree with this. Everyone here says it's because I'm a "Yankee." Call it what you want, but it's because I'm an AMERICAN!!!!! In our Pledge to the U.S. Flag, we say "One NATION, under God...." We don't say 50 individual states under God! So, why would ONE STATE believe they could be on the same level as our country? Well, because Texans think they can do whatever they want!

(For the record, one other state has a pledge to it's state flag. That would be Louisiana--and if you get a chance to read it, it's pretty similar to the U.S. pledge.)

So, everyday, I stand and say the U.S. pledge and remain standing respectfully while the class says the Texas pledge. I don't participate. Some co-workers say I'm being disrespectful. I say I'm respecting my country. It takes all 50 states to be our great country--all 50 are EQUAL!

What do you think?????

...till the end

2009-03-01T21:02:00.002-06:00

Can you believe it is March 1st? This time last year, I could say I only had 3 months of school left since our last day was in May. This year, however, we go until June 4th. Lot's of teachers, students and parents are complaining because we are going to school in June. I personally don't see what the big deal is. I always went to school in June when I was a student. (My birthday is at the beginning of June, and I always got to celebrate with my classmates.)

Dear readers, do you think it is a big deal???

23

2009-02-25T22:03:00.004-06:00

It has been a busy week. I was in third grade on Monday and Tuesday...the highlight was being called a jerk in front of the entire class. The student pointed at me, yelling, "JERK!" on his way out.

It was exhausting! I wish there was more hands on to teach...I felt like I was rushing the entire day. Rather, both days. Teachable moments came up and I felt as though there wasn't any time for teachable moments. ~~must get back to dittos, must get back to dittos...~~

Tomorrow is second grade and then into first grade on Friday. I am looking forward to the slower pace. And the great morning song in the first grade room.

State Testing

2009-02-25T20:48:00.002-06:00

We are getting ready for our state standardized testing. At the 7th grade level, our kids take a writing, math and reading test. The 8th grade kids take a reading, math, science and social studies test. When the kids take the tests, the teachers can do NOTHING but stare at them. I'm so glad I only have 3 tests!

I have a problem with these tests. We are requiring kids to meet a minimum expectation. Most people would assume this would be at 70% passing rate. Oh, no, it isn't. It depends on the test and the grade level. Some tests require a passing rate of 72% and some only require a 56% passing grade. Yet, many people in the general public think we are holding these kids to higher standards than what we are.

POLITICIANS NEED TO STAY OUT OF EDUCATION!!!!!!!!!!

One bad apple...

2009-02-19T00:16:00.002-06:00

Does indeed spoil the whole bunch! My one "bad apple" has been in In-School Suspension for the last two days. Can you believe the entire class has been PERFECT? He will be gone for a few more days since he received 5 days "away" for his lovely comment. Since it was directed at me, he earned a harsher sentence. Boy am I glad we have great administrators!

Full moon? Change in weather?

2009-02-16T23:34:00.002-06:00

Something is up. I don't know what. I can not stand it any longer. Whoever/Whatever is taking control of these children needs to stop! I can not teach when these kids are having out-of-body experiences like they did last week. What was the deal?!?!?!?!?!?

I had to write 3 kids up on office referrals last week. One kid, once. One kid, twice. One kid, three times. I felt like the wicked witch of the west! However, when you get mad after being told to stop talking, push everything off of your desk, and say "F*$% That!", you just gotta go! (In fact, before I could say goodbye, he said "I know, leave.")

Life is never dull in 7th grade!

the office, day four

2009-02-12T13:19:00.002-06:00

You will never believe what happened today in THE OFFICE today. Let me set it up...

The phone rings. Hello, "____ School"....it is a parent. Can I please speak with my child? He is in class, I say. I also ask if it is an emergency and the response is yes. I tell the parent I will request the child come to the office (there it is again) and he will call home. I call the student the office (again, my show) and he calls home. After listening to the conversation, another staff member in the office asks, so what is the emergency? Does the school need to know? The student proceeds to tell us the mom needed to know where the TV remote was.

WHAT? Are you kidding me?

Later in the day, another teacher tells me that a parent had left a message on her voice mail for her son to call her at home. This teacher did not have the student call as it was not an emergency. A bit later, the parent calls again (the line can go into the classroom) and she asks to speak to her son. Long story short, she wanted to know where the battery charger for something TV related is....!!

Imagine, two in one day. What would these parents do without their remotes?!

Update from the teacher....

2009-02-11T23:15:00.002-06:00

Well, I didn't have the substitute subbing for me last week. I sure wish I did!!!!!! The first sub I had could not follow my directions. I find this hard to believe since I am kind of anal and leave very detailed plans (I think the final count was 5 pages of instructions, 4 pages for attendance, 3 pages of pictures, and one page of a seating chart--for three days!). I think the only thing I didn't tell him was to breathe every few seconds. The students were so lost!!!!! I received an email that first night that wasn't very complimentary, to say the least. I was able to throw it back on the kid though, so it wasn't too bad for me. (Thank heaven I have a good relationship with that mom!) I also had a voice mail from another parent after that first day. YIKES!

When I returned to school, I found out from the kids that he asked student X to take the attendance down to the office first period. I left a note that students, A, B, C, or D may take the attendance. I did not say student X could go. I can't trust student X. (Student X has been caught in about 10 different lies this year--including one where she accused me of something I did NOT do!!!!--and has been in a fight with student Y, who is also in that class. I broke up the fight...It was quite fun, but I digress...I must be ADHD!!!) Mr. Not-Very-Good couldn't even figure out how to start the powerpoint. Double click...it runs by itself! Then, he told the students to do the homework completely wrong. UGH!

The next sub was great!!!!! In fact, I received a compliment from our assistant principal today about her. I'm so happy A could sub for me. First of all, A is going to college to be a teacher. Second, she has subbed for me before and knows what I "expect." Third, she sat through an entire year with me when she was in 7th grade. (Man do I feel old!) This is what the AP said, "I walked by your room one day and not only was the class in control, but A was up and TEACHING! A sub TEACHING! Can you believe that?" I was so proud. She said the kids were well behaved but talkative. So, I compromised on the contract. They don't get the soda/chip party, but they don't get tortured either. No one has complained.

After I returned, I found out a lot of gossip about things that happened while I was away. Man, I missed all the good stuff!!!!! (fights--students and teachers--moonings, truancies, assaults, weapons, terroristic threats, irate parents, teachers passing out, kidnappings--not all on my campus. These events took place in our county.)

the office, day three

2009-02-11T18:32:00.002-06:00

I have subbed in the office for the past three days. I am not sure about tomorrow...my friend, the secretary, still did not sound too well when I talked with her this morning. She said she was going to try to go in but who knows...to be honest, I like subbing in the office....even with all the vomit, diarrhea and temperature taking. I think I took about 15 temps today! The big complaint today was headaches and tummy aches.

The principal gave me a compliment, too. He said that he was glad it was me subbing. I suppose if you get a sub in who doesn't know how things run, he may end up doing most of the secretary's job, too.

I do the best I can, stay cheerful and hope for the best.

(I did have a parent pretty much call me a liar today. Her child was ill, I called home= no answer. I then moved onto the next number in line...her cell. It went to voice mail. I left a message that I was trying to reach her and was then going to call the dad. Long story, when she came in to retrieve her child, she wasn't nice and in a very round about way, accused me of NOT calling her home or cell first.)

the office

2009-02-09T13:44:00.003-06:00

whew! Today I am subbing in the office. And that sounds funny because The Office is one of my favorite shows....

Dismissal was about ten minutes ago and it is finally quiet in the office. (I don't think I can type that without some sort of chuckle.) Let me make a list of things I saw or experienced today:
-vomit
-diarrhea
-bad behavior
-the phone ringing with multiple parents in the office
-all district administration in the building (inservice meeting)

These just name a few! I was able to clean up the secretary's desk..she is not only the secretary but my friend, too. It is the least I can do for her.

I hope she feels better soon...

Preparing for a substitute...

2009-02-07T20:46:00.005-06:00

This last week I was out Wednesday-Friday to attend a technology convention. (What a great trip!) However, to prepare for those three days took a lot of planning and work. I wanted my students to still learn something while I was gone, and I can't afford to just give them busy work. A few years ago, I came up with the perfect solution. Since we are always working on geometry/measurement concepts at this time of the year, the kids could work on perimeter/circumference, area, and volume. There is a process and you really just have to repeat the process often.

I created a PowerPoint presentation for each topic--one per day--and added voice over instructions. So, the kids still hear my voice, still get a lesson, and everyone is happy. (I also had to prove to my principal that the kids wouldn't be losing out because I was gone.)

The basic slide show remains the same from year to year, but I have to re-do the voice overs and timings every year. I tend to make comments during the show that relate directly to the students in those classes. Some years I add jokes--this year, I didn't. I also make sure to remind them to behave and not act like complete fools.

That, brings me to the other item I use to prepare for a substitute. I have them sign a Sub Contract. In it, I state the consequences for bad behavior and the rewards for good behavior. This year, some of my ~~brats~~ kids wanted to refuse to sign the contract. I told them it would be an automatic office referral, and it didn't matter if they signed or not. Those were the consequences and by signing it only told their parents they knew in advance what would happen. They all signed!

Don't know yet, if I get to torture or reward them....I'll keep you posted.

love those first graders!

2009-02-06T18:47:00.003-06:00

I subbed in a first grade classroom on Thursday. The night before wasn't a good one...long story short, I slept all of the night on the couch. First, it was simple exhaustion and falling asleep there. Then it was because of someone snoring in the house and I had to leave the vicinity....back to the couch.

I think Thursday was the best day I have ever had subbing! I have had great days with the older kids but you usually count on some sort of trouble with the young ones. Nope! We danced our morning song twice..it is great! We had some great talks about a story I read and even about math.

THESE are the days I love to be a sub.....

aahhh....

Crazy Busy....

2009-02-01T23:24:00.001-06:00

I have been crazy busy this last week and into this week. I'll be at a conference most of this week....will post all the happenin's when I return.

As the character education program at our school states: Make it a good day, or not, the choice is yours.

C-ya soon....

two days

2009-01-30T16:05:00.002-06:00

Wow, have we had snow! This week alone, we have had two snow days, meaning no school, and two delay days. We have now officially used up our five built in calamity days. If we miss any more days of school, we start to make them up.

The kicker is that I was to work today, too. We got the call last night that we were going to be delayed so I am thinking to myself, even better...a work day with a delay!

So onto the weekend. Here we are. I hope we don't have any more cancellations, however, we still have spring to get through and we all know what happens in the spring...

FOG.

Horrendous Days...

2009-01-25T23:17:00.003-06:00

Our school is on a modified block schedule. We have 4 85-minute classes and 1 60-minute class every day. We have an A-day and a B-day schedule. Math and language see their students daily and all other classes (except those meeting for 60 minutes) see their kids every other day. I LOVE IT! Our high school is pretty much on this same schedule. They don't love it. Next year, they will be going back to the traditional 7-period day. Because this is a money saver for the district, many people think we will lose our block schedule as well. I don't want this to happen. (If it does, we will lose 4 math and 4 language teachers.)

Because of the possibility--and terrible morale on our campus--our principals decided we would have "The Great Experiment." Two 8-period days with 45 minute classes. UGH!!!!!!!!!! IT WAS AWFUL!!!!! I felt so rushed through the class periods. It was as if we just started class and the bell was ringing to end it. If we were to go to this schedule, I would not see my kids twice as I did during the experiment. To let the kids know what it would be like, I treated the A-day classes (in the morning) differently than the B-day classes (in the afternoon). I purposely gave the students homework in both classes--about the amount they would receive if this was the real schedule. I wanted them to KNOW what it would be like. Unfortunately, other teachers didn't think like I did. So, the kids just thought they had way too much MATH homework instead of too much HOMEWORK. (Right now, they complain about having too much homework every night. They could get homework in 4-5 classes a night with time in class now or work in 7 classes a night with not time in class. Hmmmmm...that should be a no-brainer! I also know for a fact that math is the only core subject my students have homework in at night. We have a history teacher who has commented to the kids "If your teacher gives homework, then he/she isn't doing his/her job. No teacher should ever give homework." SAY WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?)

At the end of this ~~ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, HORRIBLE, DISGUSTING~~ experiment, I was dog-tired, crabby, cranky, irritated, annoyed, fed-up with the kids, and had written 2 office referrals for bad behavior in class--which is one more than I had written in an entire semester of school!

busy busy

2009-01-22T18:30:00.003-06:00

I have subbed the last two days and will again tomorrow. I am subbing for our physical education/reading teacher. I love phys ed...I actually have an expired teaching certificate in the subject. I am currently working on renewing but need to take some grad classes to accomplish this.

I recently sprained my knee and being on my feet for so long is tiring. In addition to being on my feet, our school has stairs. The stairs are what are killing me.

I had three phys ed classes yesterday and two today. Today I had THE class. Off task, not listening, etc. I sub only in this building and have even done a long term sub for this teacher so I know the rules, discipline, etc. And the kids know it. I gave one student about six verbal warnings...I finally had to put him in the time out box.

In all honesty, I don't even want to write about school. I am hoping tomorrow will be a better day and then I can reflect on it over the weekend.

Everyone should know that the job of the substitute demands flexibility and sometimes more gratitude than it receives.

Presidential Inauguration

2009-01-21T21:32:00.002-06:00

What a historic day!!! I'd love to hear how other schools celebrated this event.

Our school changed up the schedule a little to allow the students to watch the ceremony. It was really interesting to watch the young watch a part of history--while I truly watched my first inaugural ceremony. At the beginning, I had tears in my eyes and tried very hard not to let them fall. I felt better when one of my students wiped her eyes. After a while, I was ready for them to leave. I received several questions and fielded several comments throughout the day that I found very scary--and, they made me realize that our schools are failing our students as President Obama stated. Here were a few questions/comments that were made.

--Is that the White House? (It was the U.S. Capitol Building.)
--Who is that man? (This happened to be Former Vice President Dick Cheney...I have to forgive them a little--how much did we really SEE of him the last 8 years?)
--That must be a cemetery because of the fog. (Because, all cemeteries have fog all of the time. Actually, I don't know where it was--maybe you can help. We were looking at a shot of the cannons at the time.)
--Why is there glass around him? (To protect him.)
--Couldn't they turn on him and shoot him? (This was in reference to the dignitaries and VIP's sitting immediately in front of the Capitol. My reply: This isn't an adventure movie.)
--President Kennedy? (When asked which presidents were in office during the student's life-time. They were born from 1995-1997.)
--They were voted for twice. (We found the average number of years each president (person) served. Using 43 people--we included President Obama and didn't count President Cleveland twice since he is only one person--and 220 years--the number of years since President Washington took office--each person served 5 and 5/43 years. I asked how this could be when each term is 4 years.)

I can only hope my kids do better with math than they do history! I guess it's a good thing I'm certified to do both...I can incorporate it into the math lessons.

When reading the local paper today, I found that a former student--who is a freshman in high school--was at the ceremony in Washington, D.C. He made a very intelligent comment to the reporter and made me proud to say I taught him.

Long weekend...

2009-01-21T21:12:00.003-06:00

Here in the TX, we, too, had a long weekend. Ours was for a different reason though. Friday was a teacher work day (Yeah, no work got done...), and Monday was technically a Teacher Staff Development day. The kids had a four day weekend and some of the teachers had a three day break.

Friday--Our day started with making sure our grades were turned in. Thursday was the end of the third six weeks grading period and first semester. (We have 6 6-week grading periods instead of the 4 9-week "quarters".) We were given a longer lunch break so we could enjoy ourselves. We were given an option for the afternoon--either work in our classrooms or attend a session at the local high school auditorium. I chose to go to the session at the high school.

The guest speaker was Manuel V. Scott. Seeing his name probably doesn't trigger anything in your brain. However, he is an Original Freedom Writer--You know, from the movie Freedom Writers. Please visit here to find out more. (I'll let him tell his story.) It was really neat to hear from a student after hearing the teacher, Erin Gruwell, a few years ago.

Monday was a Staff Development Day, which teachers were allowed to "comp out" of if they earned 6 hours of staff development during the summer (before the school year) or after school during the year. I usually get more than my share of hours in the summer...some of those activities will be discussed as the year goes on.

In my opinion, our district goes about this all wrong. I'm not talking about the comp hours, but the day they have chosen for the comp day. We have a good African-American population that celebrates the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Our community has a parade, a dinner, and other activities all weekend. (This is how hour guest speaker came to be.) For our district to NOT acknowledge this day as a true holiday, is just not right.

And, substitute, we had 10 days off in September for a hurricane. But, I don't know which is better/worse????? Cold or Hurricane? Want to debate?

do we really have to go back?

2009-01-19T22:36:00.002-06:00

Ah, a very long weekend. Here in the OH, we had a nice long weekend due to snow, ice and very, very cold temps. Sorry, teacher, but I don't think you had that in Texas!

I actually called off tomorrow. I want to stay at home and be in front of the TV all day. Tomorrow is history. Yes, HISTORY.

My brother is a teacher, too, in the city of Chicago. He teaches high school and do you know what I found out today? His students will be taking exams tomorrow. I think that, if at all possible, students around our country need and should be watching The Inauguration of our 44th President. This is one of those defining moments that you will remember where you are and what you were doing.

I am especially puzzled that the students at his high school, IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO, won't be witnessing history. Not only is Obama from Illinois, but he is from Chicago.

Whatever you are doing tomorrow, if possible in any way, shape or form, you should be taking part in a defining moment in our country's history.

Savor every moment of it!

Monday

2009-01-13T22:21:00.002-06:00

I was scheduled for a half day in the afternoon. I really did not want to go in at all as I reinjured my knee Sunday night. I had talked with the teacher the previous week because it was a planned absence. We had chatted because one of her students was having some special needs issues. The special needs were not educational in the way of teaching or her learning capabilities but rather accommodation.

All I can say is this: it was a very long afternoon.

Why did I become a teacher???

2009-01-13T22:20:00.001-06:00

People ask me why I decided to become a teacher. I really can't answer that. All I remember is that I used to play school when I was little and said I wanted to be a teacher. When I was in fifth grade, I decided to be a flight attendant. However, that changed a few years later, and it was back to teaching. After that, I never wavered. I wish I could tell you some exciting story about it being my mission to help kids learn or something along those lines...but, I can't.

I guess I was just born to teach. Sorry for being boring.

value

2009-01-10T22:00:00.004-06:00

"It is an accepted cliche in education that the number one goal of teachers should be to help students learn how to learn.

I always saw the value in that, sure. But in my mind, a better number one goal was this: I wanted to help students learn how to judge themselves.

Did they recognize their true abilities? Did they have a sense of their own flaws? Were they realistic about how others viewed them?

In the end, educators best serve students by helping them be more self-reflective. The only way any of us can improve is if we develop a real ability to assess ourselves. If we can't accurately do that, how can we tell if we're getting any better or worse?"

~Randy Pausch

the beginnings of a sub

2009-01-09T18:48:00.002-06:00

this has been a hard week! for those of you who had the opportunity to stay home over the holidays, the sleeping in and staying in pj's all day if you wanted to, are long gone.

back to school. back to work. for me, school is work. I work in a school.

I am a substitute teacher.

sometimes I think subbing is more difficult. sure, I don't have all of the extra work, the grading papers, the staff meetings to attend. but I need to be able to wear many different hats and to wear them well.

I don't have the advantage of knowing the students on a more personal level. I am not with them every day. I don't know any of their personality traits, family history or just plain old background that sometimes can make a day easier. I am not always familiar with the routine of the classroom. a certain comfort level isn't there that the regular teacher has.

like today....I was subbing for a paraeducator....I signed in for her but then moved into a teachers role. now mind you, I am not angry with this. just trying to explain my many hats. so, I taught the morning classes and then moved to the paraeducators duties...recess and silent reading supervision. while doing this, I was approached to then cover a different teacher's room because she had to leave school rather suddenly. I replied, yes, I can but I do have an early bus duty and then door duty after school. can't be in two places at once.

(seriously, I am not mad at all by today's schedule it just was crazy to know who I was and what I was responsible for!)

let's face it. kids take advantage of subs. kids know that subs don't know all of the rules. the one good thing I have going is that I am currently only subbing in one building. the one my daughter attends and my son attended before moving to the middle school. so, I do know the building, the discipline, the general flow of the school. but mind you, I subbed in a large district of 32 elementaries, 12 middle and 5 high schools years ago. subs can feel alone, lonely, taken advantage of and often left in the dark. I have faced administration that offered to punish the kids with what he thought appropriate when in reality, it would have been punishment for me. (*if you want the full story, leave me a comment.)

subs need to be flexible. subs need to be willing to step in and take charge and somehow command respect against all odds. subs need to be able to stand up in the front of a classroom of kids that they don't know, introduce themselves and hope that they aren't laughed at. or talked back to. or worse. (see **)

subs need to have general knowledge of most things so they don't look like an idiot when teaching a lesson. subs need, and deserve, respect like the normal, regular teachers.

subs need love.

this blog will be my journey of substituting, recorded for all to share.

welcome.

**I have seen the penis of a high school student because one of his buddies thought it would be funny to pull his pants down.