My Three Favorite Things About Teaching...

1.  June

2.  July

3.  August

We have 11 more school days until summer... AND I CANNOT WAIT!  I started my countdown over 2 weeks ago!  I think I am more ready for this break than the kids are.  Then again, with the way they are acting... maybe not.

I don't like having to have a substitute, but sometimes you have to.  I am going to be part of our AVID site team next year at my school.  AVID is a program that is supposed to get kids ready for college even at a middle school level.  Well, the site team had to meet yesterday to plan for next year.  (I am in charge of the ice cream social, by the way.)  Our meeting was on campus, but it was an all day thing, so I was required to get a substitute to cover my classes. The last time I had a sub, two of the three classes that she covered were A-W-F-U-L!  Like, she was crying at the end of the day.  Poor lady... Anyway, I had made my kids feel pretty bad the last time they acted up, so I warned them that if they did not behave I would not be happy.  GUESS WHAT?  Not only did my kids not behave, but my sub didn't behave!  I mean, I know that subbing is a hard job.  The kids don't always respect substitutes, and I know that they give them a hard time.  But, the answer is not to try and become their friend. 

My first instruction that I left said to make sure the kids were sitting in their correct assignments.  He told the kids to sit anywhere they wanted.  My second instruction was for them to watch a Bill Nye video and answer questions.  Someone in my 6th period broke my VCR.  (Yes, I said VCR.)  They ran behind my desk, where they are not allowed, and got caught on the cords.  Two of the three prongs are stuck in the back of it now.  My 3rd instruction was to complete a worksheet that had two sides.  The front was a word search.  The back was a drawing.  I said they could talk quietly, but if it got too loud they would lose their talking privileges.  I had 2 teachers complain about the noise level coming from my room through their closed doors.  He told them they could get out their iPods and listen to music.  He cussed at 2 of my classes.  AND HERE'S THE KICKER..... Someone in my 6th period dialed 911 and left the phone off the hook!  The most insulting part is that he left me a note and told me all of my classes were good!  He even said he would be happy to come back and cover my classes again!  He said, and I quote, "They were good.  Most of the kids didn't try the work.  They be talking, but it was under control."  WHAT?!?!

Needless to say, I asked that he not sub for me again.  I even gave all the info to our administration and ask that he not be allowed to come back to our school.  Keep your fingers crossed.  

The rest of the year should be easy-breezy as long as the behavior issues stay at a minimum.  I mean, out of the 11 days I have left, 2 are used for semester exams, 1 is the awards assembly, 1 is the 6th grade field trip, and 4 are going to be movie days.  Educational of course!  Finding Nemo is ALL about ecosystems!

I hope everyone has a great week!