Thursday found me back at the middle school where I had done the long-term for Ms. S, and, in fact, I was covering a classroom just across the way.
Snack was between the first and second blocks of the day. As is my habit, I left the classroom to head to the restroom. On the way, I ran into another sub I know, and we compared notes. (It's a good thing I took that long-term assignment as gigs have been a little sparse this year.)
On my way back to the classroom, I noticed an open classroom door. It took me a moment to realize it was the room I was in.
Um, had I not closed the classroom door when I left? I knew I had. I generally check the door before I leave, too. Then how had someone gotten in? And, more importantly, why? (Because mostly the kiddos will see no one's in the room and leave.)
When I got to the room, I immediately knew what had happened. Mr. F (the teacher I was subbing for) was there.
I've subbed for Mr. F many times in the past. (This is the Mr. F from the tortilla slap.) We know each other.
Mr. F leads a middle school leadership group (called We All Belong), and they were going to do a thing the next day with popsicles. There was a popsicle freezer in his room, but it was empty. Mr. F was filling it with popsicles.
(I didn't actually peek. The previous day a student had walked by, gotten curious, and asked the leadership class if he could get a popsicle. They said no. The student poked his nose in the freezer anyway, only to find there was nothing there.)
Mr. F had a few students helping, and his best teaching buddy was there, too. (I've subbed for Ms. B as well. Mr. F and Ms. B are pretty much attached at the hip most days. They've been like this for years.)
They finished filling the freezer. The student helpers were compensated with popsicles. I chatted with the other two teachers for a bit until the bell rang. Then Mr. F was back to wherever he was for the day, Ms. B went back to wherever she was for the day (she had a sub as well), and as Mr. F had a conference period, I went off to another room to cover a class there.
Just another subbing day.
(When I cover Mr. F's classes, more often than not I see him at some point during the day. He isn't sick often. Usually when he's out, it's for school business reasons.)
Gigs a little scarce? That’s a little surprising. It should be an interesting year for you but I hope you can get the income you need. And I think we are out of popsicle season where I live.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a little tricky picking up assignments. It happens. We're still getting into the 80s, but overcast mornings this week. (Last week was warmer.) We're hitting a cool down, which is kind of surprising as we usually have warmer weather this time of year. It's nice, though.
DeleteI still can't believe you do this. And like it!
ReplyDeleteIt's a living.
DeleteThey're allowed a snack break? Lucky. We never got anything like that.
ReplyDeleteI’m still trying to digest the tortilla slap story …
ReplyDeleteYeah, I still don't get the appeal. And I knew both the players.
DeleteYour tales never fail to amaze me. Be well, my dear.
ReplyDeleteAmaze? This is what happens when nothing much interesting happens during a week. Although, for me that's a good thing :)
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