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Things I Have Learned Substitute Teaching

I've been substitute teaching for a few weeks. I have made myself available to sub for all ages, K-12. Here a few things I've learned;
  • Velcro should be mandatory for first graders.
  • Middle schoolers will change their perspective when you tell them gym is better than math. Good point, teacher!
  • High schoolers want a sub that is chill. I believe the working definition of chill is, someone who will let me text my friends instead of working on the assignment left by the teacher.
  • Seriously, Velcro.
  • Younger kids are ready to run, even before they know the rules.
  • 4th graders can't seem to have enough detail, no matter how simple the game. 
Me: Let's play tag.
Them: What if an alien comes down while I am tagging a person, and the alien abducts that person, are they still it?
  • A raised hand, in elementary school, doesn't mean they have a question. It probably means they want to answer the next question. Or it means they want to inform me how their regular teacher does things differently than I am currently doing them. "That's great, Patrice*. Nobody asked for your opinion."
Can I take this slightly sarcastic list on a bit of a serious note? I have come across several lesson plans which include a list of the kids I may expect to have trouble with. And sometimes you can smell the dysfunction on a kid before they ever open their mouth.

But I have not (yet) come across a student that I found unmanageable. Granted, I only have to deal with them for a day, possibly 2. However, I have found that if we treat students like humans, and less like cyborgs, they tend to respond.

No, I have not managed a classroom for 20 years, so write me off as an optimistic novice if you prefer, but I have dealt with people for 20 years in a church setting. Don't get the mistaken idea that people always show up with their 'Sunday Best' behavior. People are, as God puts it, sinful. They are messed up.

But if we treat people like humans, most problems can be solved without demeaning one another.

Many classrooms have a discipline system in place. Again, I understand a justice system is needed to maintain order. If students believe there are no consequences, then chaos will ensue. So, by all means, don't let me stop you from using your justice system.

But if you seem surprised when no tokens were taken away, no clips were moved down, no class punishments were given, it might possibly be that I understand my role to be greater than simply continuing your work.

While I will commit to getting as much of your lesson plan accomplished as I can, understand that I might be the break you and that kid need from each other. Rather than begin his day with two strikes, because his name was written down as a warning, or because Patrice*, the helpful student will inform me, perhaps I can offer a second chance for that student to engage. Even if only for a day.

Subbing may not be the ideal. For me, it may not be long term. (Probably because of Patrice*.) But I am committed to loving each person I come across with my actions and words.


*Names have been changed to protect the annoying.

Comments

MaryHelen said…
Amen! I don't like clips. Kids come with baggage and sometimes reading isn't the most important lesson to teach that day.
What I wish is that all legislators would have to be a sub for a year. They might have a different perspective.
Keep loving them like Jesus.
And if you get bored, I have a kid I would like you to meet.

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