First few days...

Well, I have a long lunch period today, so I can write about my first
few experiences substitute teaching.

My first job was with 5th graders in a preetty nice school. The
principal was very nice and offered me a full time job, my first day
there! Kinds strange, but i figured out why later. I told her it was
my first day, and I was going to dental school in July, so I couldnt
work for more than this semester. I also wanted to see if I would sink
or swim with 5 different classes of 5th graders teaching 4 different
subjects. BTW, it was a weeklong job! The kids were a little antsy and
were asking whether I would be their new teacher. Their first teacher
went on maternity leave, they had another for 2-3 months, then she
left. So I was their new teacher. It was a great first assignment, u
learned a lot and met some great kids and faculty. My first day, the
principal told the students it was my first day (doh!) and I had to
explain to them that it wasn't ( I used my VSVS schools as examples of
places I had taught before- partially true, right?) Anyway, my next
class came in and asked me if I was a dentist, why was I subbing?
Again, damage control, had to explain about dental school and
graduating early- but I'm not new, so don't take advantage of me! The
rest of the week was pretty good, one class gave me hell like I'd
never felt before- but thats part of the job. It was kind of sad
having to leave- I thought I might get the full time position, but on
Friday I met their new teacher- she was nice and had 20yrs
experience... To my 5 days experience, so I guess she won in that
category. But, the kids didnt want me to leave and said they'd miss
me, so it was great to be a part of that while it lasted.

My second job was in elementary school. Now I was working with 3rd
graders, a different experience, different rules, and different ways
of going about business. All the chairs had cut tennis balls on the
bottom legs, kind of strange I thought. I guess it was partly for
noise and partly for safety reasons. They were pretty well behaved
too, and it was easier than 5th grade. Not as much backtalk. In middle
and elementary schools, the subs are expected to teach the lessons, so
I was teaching predicates and subjects; long division and social
studies. They really do just throw you in and hope you can swim!
Luckily I was on the swim team in high school, so I have pretty good
skills... Actually, nothing can really prepare you for facing a crowd
of kids and trying to teach them something without too many
disruptors. Not even reading books, I tried.

Third job was in high school, I was teaching ecology, whatever that
meant. I got there, passed out a worksheet and tried to keep em quiet.
That's all! I was amazed at how much less work there was! I could read
the book (Obama's) that I had brought with me! The hardest part was
keeping them from eating and listening to their music.

So that's my first few days as a sub, I'll fill in the rest of the
week soon. Gotta teach 5th period some geometry!