Not Just Me

After my dead week the week prior and narrowly missing three other assignments, I was very relieved to catch an assignment for Tuesday. (Monday had been a holiday.) It turned out to be co-teaching, and in fact, it was a teacher I had covered before. 

Second period integrated math one (read: algebra 1/freshman math). As Ms. B was there, she taught the lesson that she had planned, and I "assisted" the kiddos. 

And... The last time I was in this class, it was a two sub day. And the kiddos were a handful. I'd've thought that things would go better with their regular teacher. Uh, no. 

While some teachers aren't that great and I can see why their classes would be awful, Ms. B has been around a while, knows what she's doing, and can handle a class. These kiddos, however, are just terrible. Of course, they are freshmen, which contributes to the problem. 

The lesson for the day was mostly review over what they had been doing as they had a quiz the following class period. (Ms. B: "Everyone needs to listen to this. You have a quiz on Thursday. You've all heard this now, so no one should complain that I didn't warn you ahead of time." Note: I'd be shocked if no one complained about a quiz they didn't know about on Thursday.)

I hovered. While the intent was to be available in case anyone needed extra help, mostly what I ended up doing was to redirect the kiddos towards the work they were supposed to be doing. While their teacher was doing examples and they should have been following along with the lesson. Sigh. 

Suddenly, three different students went outside to blow their noses. But that was too many students. So, I stepped outside to shoo them back in. Which they didn't like. 

Of course, as this was happening, a random student from elsewhere happened along, and he wanted to hang out with the students who weren't supposed to be outside. 

Random student (to student from class): "Who is this?" 

Because, apparently, the kiddo has never seen a substitute teacher before. (He looked familiar. I'm sure I had him in class before.) 

So, difficult bunch. Nothing I haven't seen before. But I left that class feeling kind of relieved. Why? 

It's not just me!

They act like that with their regular teacher, too. 

I mean, that's not great news for these kids today, but I feel better knowing they're not acting up just for me. 

Some days I need to know this.