Friday. A day I know I'll get an extra period assignment and am shocked if I don't. This particular Friday there were four uncovered teachers...
I made sure to get a key as the classroom was on the other side of campus from the classroom I was covering that day. I hiked out there, got through the crowd of waiting students, put my key in the lock... And it wouldn't open.
That's when I noticed the room number on the key. The wrong room number. I got the wrong key.
Borrowing the phone in the classroom next door, I called to get someone to open the door. She got there just after the bell. By the time we got into the room, we had missed the Pledge of Allegiance and about half the morning announcements. But the kiddos filed in, and I went in search of lesson plans.
I found stacks of assignments for seniors. I asked one of the students what grade they were in. 9th. So, that work was not for them. Um...
Before I had a chance to panic, the classroom phone rang. It was the secretary saying she had the lesson plans. (Teachers frequently email them to the school.) So, I found a student who knew where the secretary was and sent her and a classmate to go and retrieve them.
We were at the back of campus. The office was at the front. So, we waited for a bit. With 9th graders. Yeah, it got a bit loud. But not terribly out of control as this was an honors class, meaning a class of the more academically inclined. The fact that they were an honors class is the only reason this is a funny story and not a harrowing one.
The girls made good time considering. I perused the lesson plan and was able to tell the students where to turn in their essays. Discovered they were to watch a video. And realized that I didn't have a class roster to take roll. This was on the computer, and the secretary had neglected to give me a log on.
I went in search of the video. Couldn't find it. The girls who had retrieved the lesson plans read them, so they helped search for the video. They couldn't find it. Finally, another student found it on the third (rather than second, as stated) shelf.
Luckily, I didn't have any technical difficulties, and got the video going. I sent around a sign in sheet in lieu of taking roll. And managed to keep the class in some semblance of order. Phew.
Some days it just goes like this. I've learned to roll with it.
I am so proud of you. I couldn't deal with it! I like to know what exactly is going on and I like to be prepared. Remind me not to become a substitute teacher. LOL! Would you like to have your own class ever??
ReplyDeleteThat's the fun of subbing. You get to roll with it all.
DeleteSounds like a hell Friday. What a day.
ReplyDeleteOne year my portable classroom was the last and farthest one. As a math assignment, we measured the distance: 650 ft.
Glad you are young.
There are a couple of those classes. And a couple of them are math classes, so that would be a great assignment for them.
DeleteLife of a substitute teacher! Sounds like you handled it well.
ReplyDeleteYep, that's one of the occupational hazards.
DeleteIt's a heck of a thing, but you handled it well.
ReplyDeleteOh, I talk a good game. If you had seen me in the situation, you might not have so much praise.
DeleteSounds like one of those days where everything goes wrong. Good thing you're able to deal with all that.
ReplyDeleteI think you have to have a lot of flexibility to be a sub; not sure I could pull it off but glad that you can :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Yeah, I've had to learn a bit of flexibility in this job. Serves me well, though.
DeleteHey Liz,
ReplyDeleteI volunteered at my boys' school the other day and only had to deal with a gazillion (they multiple like gremlins, don't they??) for two hours.
*God bless you* and every teacher out there. You ARE underpaid and I wish the people in charge would realize this!!
PS: Thanks for stopping by MJ's blog :)
They do multiply. Without prior warning.
DeleteWell done...clapping loudly
ReplyDelete*takes a bow*
DeleteWhat a day! At least it's good fodder for a blog post...
ReplyDeleteWhich I realized at the time. This is a good thing.
DeleteThose are days that one wishes one just stayed in bed:) At least the kids were ok
ReplyDeleteI'll be doing relief teaching next year. Thanks for the heads up on possible problems.
ReplyDeleteMost days don't go like this. Really. Most days everything is where you need it, and the kids... Well, you know what the kids are like.
DeleteOh dear! Glad that most days are more straightforward!
ReplyDelete