Ms. Pierce returns to the classroom

Most of you who know me know that I've been out of work for a while. A friend recommended that I substitute teach while job searching, and I decided to take her advice. Subbing isn't quite what I thought it would be. I've found it interesting, and now more than ever, I have a huge respect for teachers.

Things have changed ... a lot. The first day I was only going to sub for a day but another teacher's sub called out so I ended up working all day. I forgot how congested the hallways are when the bell rings so I learned to dodge and weave again. Also, the bells aren't like the ones we had in my day, they're more like a horn.

I've had the opportunity to meet some very good teachers and students. However, I'm not going to candy coat this ... many students don't respect their teachers ... especially this sub. I got so tired of saying, shh, quiet and go sit in the hall.

That morning I subbed for a Special Education teacher and spent the mornings helping teachers keep order in their classes. In the English class, the students watched a movie while munching on popcorn they brought from home. (I do not remember this happening when I was in school) It was okay with me, I microwaved popcorn and chilled during the movie. There was also a snack break during this class. (I don't remember having while in school either.) In one class, I learned about the male and female reproductive systems. Yes, I did learn. I didn't know that when the female becomes pregnant the egg is a zygote until it reaches the uterus.

That afternoon I subbed for a teacher that taught different creative and communication classes. This was right up my ally. The first two classes were good, but then sixth period hit and I almost lost my religion. There were 33 students in there and the teacher had told me if they were bad to make them sit in the hall. The problem was I would have had to send 29 students to the hall and that would have been even more chaotic. That class was baptism by fire.

One thing that really bothered me was that the children couldn't take their books home because they have to share them with the other classes. Maybe it's because I'm a book lover but this was strange to me.

Overall it was a good day. I enjoyed talking to the students and seeing all the progress that has been made in the school system. Things aren't perfect but then what is perfect? Classrooms have changed and so has the makeup of the children who attend. I subbed two more days before the Christmas break and look forward to the new year so that I can go again.