Redheaded Jill

Assignments I love/loved:

My first long-term substitute teaching assignment was for an elementary school art teacher. This was amazing because it was half a day, it was 3-5 grade, art is fun, and long term subs make more money than day to day subs.

My second long-term assignment was for an 8th grade history teacher. That was my favorite. The kids had a big project due at the end of the year. Each day I would read the chapter, take notes on the board, skim the material with the kids (lecture format) and then work on my computer while they completed their final projects. Aside from the few girls who partied in the bathroom and completely ignored me, it was a really good time. One kid asked me, “Why do you know so much stuff?” I loved sharing historical anecdotes about what they were reading. Like random facts I knew about the world fair and the importance of farmers in the economy.

I pretty much love filling in at the junior high, which really surprised me because this age can be difficult. I love filling in for history classes and English/Reading classes.

Assignments I Don’t Love:

The energy it takes to handle elementary school is insane. K-5 all have their unique issues, but I leave these assignments feeling like I’ve been hit by a bus. Taking care of my baby nephews who I love and adore despite the hard moments is very different from taking care of a classroom of littles who I don’t know and have to learn to love. I also struggle because I don’t really like how the system is set up. I wish kids had more time to play and be creative than structured this and that. Telling kids to sit still 8 hours a day is insane and I hate doing it.

The hardest day I’ve had as a sub was probably one 5th grade class. The kids ignored me, the boys fought with one another, at different points in the day the counselor stopped by to lecture them about bullying, and a policeman who was visiting the school even stopped in to ask them to behave. They tore up their teachers decor. It was a mess. Turns out their teacher was one of the few male teachers and they needed his firm hand. I am not a small woman by any means, but I’m also not a great disciplinarian (or so I learned that day).

Another day that was really hard was when I filled in for a high school English teacher. In high school I’m pretty much a warm body in the room to make sure nobody dies. The kids don’t really need my instruction or care for it. I sat through an afternoon of catty girls and boys talking about one of their classmates. It sounded like an episode of gossip girl or pretty little liars. The stories they told about this one classmate were scandalous. And they ended all of them with, “But she’s got a bright future… I expect great things from her.” I left a note for their regular teacher. Like, girls! You don’t get to bash your pretty friend because you’re insecure and then pretend you wish her well. It was pretty sickening behavior.

Thankfully I can say I’ve had more good days than bad as a substitute teacher. But I can also say firmly I have no desire to be a teacher full time, at least not in the traditional school system.