Substitute teaching

Surprisingly, I am finding a sense of joy subbing in the various classrooms in the Caledonia area. I never quite know what I will be teaching for the day until I enter the classroom, but it doesn’t really make me anxious anymore. I do the best that I can and make education, safety, and classroom control, the top priority.

However, I have quickly learned the necessity of my bag of tricks. These tricks include singing, playing the piano if there is one in the classroom, throwing an orange ball up and down until there is quiet, dog stories, a puppet, and then my favorite: the remote.

Created by my former colleague and one of the most creative teachers I know, Libby, this valuable tool can stop the chattiest student. “And now,” I announce. ” I will use my handy-dandy remote to share with you.” The students’ eyes are riveted on this medium sized piece of cardboard. ” I will turn on the power button.” Complete with my own sound effects, I usually point it at the student who is the chattiest. “This power button means that all students need to turn to take out their math pages. ” When the noise increases, I also remind them that the volume button is on low which means they need to take their items out quietly. In every classroom, there is one student who states, “That is fake!” Ignoring that statement, I continue using it.

Another one of my favorites is one I saw posted on the classroom wall. Walk so quietly that the mice in the school cannot hear you. I also have used this phrase and it never fails to generate comments. “Are there really mice in the school? I can’t believe it”.

The best part of subbing is coming to see the students and provide a day of as much happiness as I can share. For some students, school is a safe haven from the world’s ugliness. I am glad to be a tiny part of their world.