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Posted 1/10/2011 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
I'm about to leave for my first full day of subbing this year - not sure I can do it any more.  I've done some half days, but this is a different animal. 

Can't hear very well, can't think(!) very well, usually lose my instructions, HATE the literacy program we teach.  And my lower back and feet are killing me.  Rushing is hard and rushing I must do to get out of here and onto the slilppery streets in time.

I hope I can do it.  cool

Debbie

Posted 1/10/2011 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Good Luck Debbie!!! You can do it!!
Posted 1/10/2011 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
What grade are you subbing for? I used to sub in elementary grades. It is exhausting, but fun. :-)

I hope you have a wonderful day!!

Hugs - Austen
Posted 1/10/2011 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck! I know you will do a great job, Debbie! yeah

Let us know how it turns out.

Hugs, Robin

Posted 1/10/2011 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
My prayers are with you Debbie, hopefully it goes smoothly.
Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 1/10/2011 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hoping you day is going well! Pamper yourself tonight after all the hard work. You will have earned the right to kick back and rest!
Posted 1/10/2011 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Praying and once you get through, relax, you did it.......... :o)
Posted 1/10/2011 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie,

How exciting for you! I hope you have a fantastic day. Is it a single day or a long-term assignment? Your students are very lucky to have you. They will get to see what we already know. You are a terrific lady! yeah

What grade are you covering? Relax when you get home today and be very proud of yourself, we are!

God bless.  Alice.

Posted 1/11/2011 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, you guys are the best! My body is throbbing, my throat is killing me and it's so good to read all your support.

Well, it was kind of a hard day. It's always a little worse when the kids (3rd graders today) are used to a man teacher. They just have a different vibe and different relationship with the kids. First off, there were a lot of squirrely liitle boys, which is normal, but there were a couple who were really out to find trouble - and they did.

But nothing bad happened and yes, I'm done!

Debbie
Posted 1/11/2011 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Yay Debbie! You got out today and showed up for life! Hope you can relax and get some rest.

Free Spirit
Posted 1/11/2011 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
"Showed up for life" - - I like that! Thanks, Free Spirit! :)
Posted 1/11/2011 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Yay you Debbie. I am glad it went well today.
Sue
Posted 1/11/2011 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
YEA Debbie!!! 
Posted 1/11/2011 9:06 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck, Debbie! I know that you will do well.
Posted 1/11/2011 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
You survived Debbie! Wonderful! Did you enjoy being back around the kids? It sounds like your body didn't enjoy it too much. I switched from working with kids after I was diagnosed with Fibro, I often wonder if I'd have it in me to do it still. 3rd Grade is definitely rough, Fibro or no Firbo. I was a glutten for punishment and enjoyed working with the high schoolers the most.

Glad you made it through! Do you think you'll do it again?
Posted 1/11/2011 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
I love the kids, and I've been doing this for 10 years, but it keeps getting harder...the way we have to teach, ramming so much content down their throats...the things I enjoyed most, such as reading to them and listening to them share stories about their lives - out the door, at least around here. Recess? Virtually gone...even in Kindergarten! It's the 3 Rs with a vengeance. Of course, Colorado is 50th in educational spending, so it figures. We're creating little robots who dread reading - oops, I'm ranting again!!

I couldn't take the high schoolers, Frankey - most of them are bigger than me! Plus, they never wanted my help, so I just sat there, which made the day go really slowly. I guess it would be different if you got to know the kids, but I never do. The longest I've ever had was a 3-day assignment, because my body just won't let me work that consistently.

Debbie
Posted 1/11/2011 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie, I used to teach fourth grade and loved it.  I was young, full of energy and healthy.  Then my illnesses started...around age 30. 

 

I left teaching to raise my children but money was tight so I thought I'd try substituting.  I subbed for several classes and made it through but then I met my Waterloo.  I was given an unbelievably wild classroom of children and they ended up having to call another substitute for me!  shocked      My back went out on me, due to the stress, and I could barely walk to the car to get home.  I hung up my teaching certificate and officially became a stay at home Mom. 

 

So, because of this story, I didn't respond to this thread yesterday.  I'm really proud of you that you got through the day.  Substituting is a "different animal" than having your own classroom and your classroom rules.  It definitely is more difficult since you don't get the opportunity to really know the kids and they don't get to know you either. 

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/11/2011 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie I am so glad you made it through yesterday. The question is though how are you feeling today? I hope it is good.
Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 1/12/2011 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Sherrine. That must have been one crazy bunch of little hellions you were dealt! I've had to call for someone to come escort a boy to the principal's office (because he refused to go,) and a few times a principal had to come in and lecture the kids on respecting me, while I was standing there. Not fun!

In fact, yesterday the principal walked in as I was filling out forms for 2 boys to go to the office! - makes me wonder if she was listening over the loudspeaker. Then, another "official" came in and observed the goings-on for awhile, for no apparent reason. I don't think things were out of control, but maybe I'll find out they felt otherwise. I really think my subbing days are numbered, anyway...so stressful, as you said.

Shirley, I'm not too bad today, thanks! A little tired and sore, but I went to the chiropractor yesterday after school so that helped.

Debbie
Posted 1/12/2011 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
Debbie, I was subbing in a first grade class one time.  A little boy in my class was punching everyone in the stomach as they were trying to come back in the school from recess.  I squatted down, was holding his arms and I calmly told him that he couldn't do that to people.  He said, "Let go of me...let go of me, girl!"  and then spit in my face!  I swear, his little feet never touched the floor I was flying so fast down the hall with him.  He was deposited in the principal's office and I told them I didn't want to see him any more that day.  If they did send him back, they would also need to get another substitute!  I didn't see him the rest of the day.  :-)

This was a good school system, too!  Nope, you couldn't get me back to substituting.  You are so right.  The stress is too much for us now.

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/15/2011 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
Sherrine,

What an experience! If a child spit in my face, I'd definitely see red, and I'd have to get him out of my sight, too! I couldn't carry him, though. Someone else would have to take him to the office :)

I may have to do a little more subbing for awhile...our daughter is looking at possible knee surgery for a torn acl and my poor husband is working himself to a frazzle trying to pay all the medical bills we produced last year. I think I can do it if I mostly do half days and not even too many of those!...time to tighten the old belt again, though, definitely.

Debbie
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