Teaching. One Day at a Time.
May 30th, 2008 — 7th Grade
With over 15 positions to choose from, I am at a loss. Do I take an elementary school assignment and pull my hair out, or do I opt for high school and risk getting my hair pulled out? There are too many choices! But, as I cycle through the postings, a curious thing happens. I recognize the name of a 7th grade social studies teacher. Could Ms. R be a long lost summer crush? Should I accept the job and find out?
Well, why not?
May 29th, 2008 — 6th Grade
One week to go. Five instructional days left. The school is coming to an end and summer, with its lazy days and endless nights, is approaching. And the teachers know it.
The rumor is the best lesson plans come at the end. Is it true?
May 28th, 2008 — High School
The year is winding down and jobs are streaming in daily. Teachers are taking this time to put in their “sick days” before it is lost for the year, so as a substitute, jobs are endless. Since it is at the end of the year, I figure I go out on a limb and expand my horizons by going to different schools in the area.
Girls’ P.E. at Light High School sounds good to me.
May 16th, 2008 — 7th Grade
It is Friday. Normally, I look forward to Fridays for the same reason all people look forward to Fridays: getting through them earns you a ticket to Saturday. Today, I had an extra reason to be excited; my chickens were coming home to roost. In day one of my extended middle school assignment, I had assigned an oral presentation to my 7th graders. Now, the students would be going up in front of the class to give their speeches.
Would they take it seriously?
May 15th, 2008 — 7th Grade
Children are mean. Some grow mean as they age, while others seem to have been born that way. They bully classmates to feel strong, make fun of others to draw attention away from their own imperfections, and talk back to teachers. Unfortunately, it is a problem some children take with them to adulthood, and single-serving substitutes are usually powerless to prevent it.
But what happens when a child innocently exhibits bigotry in the classroom?
