A Mini-era I'll Miss

Substitute teaching is not publicized as a glamorous job, and maybe it isn't. There were days when students tried to get away with as much as possible while I was in the room. More often, I encountered students who seemed to despise me from the second I said, "Good Morning!" without explanation. I've been called a "computer nazi", been gossiped about, and on one occasion a student caused me to totally lose my temper in the hallway...oops.

Despite this, with only half a week remaining before my long-term position starts, I'm realizing how much I'm going to miss the last couple months of subbing. This week alone I've had to turn down five high school science direct sub requests because of the imminent change. Mostly I'll miss the students and teachers at West Salem High School and Holmen Middle, where I spent the majority of my time.

Additionally, I'll miss getting to step out of my comfort zone on a regular basis and stepping into another teacher's world. Each classroom is totally distinct, and I've become well versed in getting to know teachers by their desks, notes, and classes. I've repeatedly become (over the course of about eight hours) an expert on exactly one chapter of a textbook. I've run a library, delivered Spanish lessons, spent over an hour on six math problems with one reluctant student with EBD, and led dozens of elementary students through rehearsals for their music concerts.

I might not miss the weird sleeping hours staying up late and waking up early trying to catch jobs. My roommates will have to adjust when the sound from my phone no longer Jobulator with a $100 time-sensitive opening. But, I wonder if it will feel like living in the exhale. After all, there is a special kind of calm that settles in after every student (the kind you've only met about 10 minutes ago, and don't yet know if you can trust) sets down their dripping paint brush, turns off their Bunsen burner, closes their laptop, and lines up at the door (Note: in elementary schools this is a sign of compliance, but in upper grades it's defiance and impatience).

I have been far from a perfect sub, but every so often I've gotten to make a difference in addition to simply carrying out my marching orders.  And as much as I look forward to my new long term position (more on that to come), I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I've had.

Tips for future Subs:

• Smile and greet students as they enter. This is your first chance to convince them that you don't hate your job.
• Listen. The students are the expert in their classroom, not you. They can tell you (sometimes in a really annoying chorus of chaos) exactly what their teacher expects. Beyond this, many students don't feel opening up to strangers, but you are also less versed in reading into their days. You might be seeing them on the worst day of their year or on the very best. The only way to know, and to decide how to accommodate them, is to listen.
• Learn names, because they'll learn yours. After teaching about two classes, students start addressing me by name (without reading it off the board) and can tell me things they remember from the last time I taught. It's really really hard, but learn some names so you don't feel like a douche.
• Eat in the lounge. Sometimes it feels awkward, but it's a great way to meet other teachers, learn about a school, and get more jobs. It easier to sub for an educator you already know, even if you only bonded over discussing the school's cruddy fish patties.

Now, in fifteen minutes I have a phone interview for Independence Middle/High School for math. Time to study their website and stats. Wish me luck!