justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

Observations by a Substitute Teacher I

A tiny four-year old named Allie came right into the room at the beginning of the school day and latched on to my leg as he gave me a great big hug. Any cares I may have had disappeared immediately. A little later, one language-challenged four-year old couldn’t say much, but kept repeating my name, "Mr. Bill," whenever she came my way. Golden!

These are just two of the many random acts of joy I’ve experienced in my past four months as a substitute teacher. I’ve spent my days with students as young as three-and-a-half years old, up to 15-year old teenagers, in 16 different schools. I really look forward to getting up and off to school each day.

Every classroom has been different in many ways, but they have also been the same in several unique ways. That last phrase may seem contradictory, but overall, my students are really not much different than the last time I was a full-time classroom teacher over 30 years ago.

I experience eager learners, tons of energy, and the usual student or two who chooses to act out in an attempt to attract attention in a negative way.  Gone are the days when misbehaving students were swatted with a paddle (experienced in my first year of teaching eighth grade), to where there are now various “timeout” options available to deal with those disruptors. Classroom management providing options for better decision making is receiving increased attention.

The facilities are usually newer, and the technology is certainly light years away from the slide projectors, overhead projectors, and 16mm movie projectors I used in my classrooms. While the desks are somewhat different, the majority of classrooms, ranging from the inner city to the growing suburbs, are outfitted with chairs, freestanding or attached, usually facing the white boards which have replaced the dusty chalkboard in every classroom.

More observations to follow!