I
really need to keep reminding myself that no is not a four-letter word and that
it’s OK to use it when people ask me to take multi-day subbing assignments. The
four days I spent in first grade last week were a good reminder of why I only
like single-day assignments.
Monday
was absolutely chaotic the whole day and I was utterly exhausted by the end of
it. The class I was in had had two or three different subs the week before and the
kids were already out of control the minute school started. I discovered that
the subs from the week before basically hadn’t taught anything. This was
problematic because I was supposed to assess the kids on math that they hadn’t
yet learned. So I scrambled for the first two days to teach all of the missing
lessons.
I
assessed the little darlings in math and writing, conducted a science experiment,
settled “I’m not your friend anymore” disputes, etc. It was just like having my
own class again. So in other words it was a total nightmare. Just when I was
about to begin suffering symptoms of PTSD, the four days were up.
Now
the teacher I subbed for loves me. The room mom gave me a thank you card and
chocolates. The principal loves me. And the secretary told me she was going to
put me on speed dial. You’d think I’d be elated. Instead I want to run for the
hills. I actually just want to slide under the radar and not be noticed.
Because then it’s easier to use my favorite not-four-letter word.
The
whole point of subbing was to have time to write and to not be burdened by the
stress of teaching. But once I’m in the same classroom for several days, school
is all I can think about. I have issues. I know.
At
the end of the week of subbing, I had to go to the orientation for the other
district I’ll be working for. You’d think an orientation would involve learning
about the job and/or the district. Instead I learned that the presenter is a
menopausal single mom. I learned about every job she’s held in the district for
the past 25 years. I learned that her daughter is in grad school and her son
didn’t go to college. Oh, and I learned that you should show up for your job on
time and that you shouldn’t bring anything valuable to school that isn’t
attached to your body. And of course, I had to go get fingerprinted again.
Someday soon, they might even inform me that they’ve hired me.
Needless
to say, my writing career has been suffering that last few weeks. I’ve resolved
to only sub two days a week. I figure this will give my life some structure and
responsibility. And it will make my “free” time seem more precious.
Climbing
has been going pretty well. Last week I actually made it to the gym three
times. It’s been a long time since I climbed that much. I’m trying to build my
strength and stamina for my birthday challenge this year. I’m still trying to
work out the details, but I think it might involve going to three different
gyms and climbing either 36 boulder problems at each of them or problems worth
36 points at each of them (so a VO would be worth 1 point, a V1 worth 2 points,
etc.).
After |