Today was my first substitute teacher job in several years. For a while, I tutored twelve middle schoolers for Sylvan. They are not my favorite age to teach. However, since this is about to be my full-time job I can’t always be picky. I’m also intentionally throwing myself into tough situations to gain experience.
When I arrived I was given a key to a room upstairs across from the staff bathroom–score!! I looked at the sub binder and found notes for last week’s substitute and the sub’s note she left for the teacher. The only clue to what to do today was a stack of papers that had today’s date on them, so that is what I passed out to the students every class period. Guess what I found after all the classes were gone? The substitute notes for today!! I messed up and gave second period the worksheets which they were not supposed to do. Oops! I left a note and apologized to the teacher.
The children did not know me and I am sure did not know what to expect from me. Was I mean or nice? These are vulnerable, precious kids who just want to be loved and accepted. For the most part, they were respectful. They were certainly not perfect and several talked most of the time. I obviously need to work on my classroom management skills for older kids!
The last two classes were quieter and some even completed their work. One girl said, “She’s actually really nice!” Another girl was crying and another girl was trying to console her. I asked if I could do anything or if they wanted to see the counselor. They said they saw her yesterday and nothing seemed to be better. The girl asked if she could call her mom and I said she could. Her mom was able to come pick her up. The other girl came and talked to me about the situation. After I listened she said, “I hope you get a good teaching job somewhere!”
I may or may not have come home and eaten a pint of chocolate brownie ice cream. Now, on to tutoring this evening!
