So You Want Be A Teacher?

I have been unemployed, as far as the IRS is concerned, since moving to the big ‘ol state of Texas. I don’t mean completely unemployed per se as I have been reminded on several occasions  that taking care of a household, step-sons, pets and a very sexy man is considered to be a full time job in some circles. When I say unemployed I am referring to the lack of a paycheck, not a lack of full time work. I never had a clue how much laundry two teenage boys can create on every given day of the week. However, it was the lack of income, as well as a feeling of being removed from the outside world  at times, that prompted me to seek some type of employment.  Just something part time to get me out of the house and still give me the time needed to continue taking care of my wonderful, fulfilling life at home.

It was brought to my attention that here on the grand ’ol prairie in grand ‘ol Texas it is not necessary to hold a teaching degree, or a college degree for that matter, to be eligible to act as a substitute teacher. Now, being a teacher was something that has intrigued me for quite some time but I never really pursued a college degree in teaching or education. Several years ago I was a volunteer teacher’s aid and tutor for kids considered “behaviorally challenged,” turns out that’s the long-handed version of ADD/ADHD/bi-polar children that really needed some extra help and attention. I thought the time spent in the classroom would help me decide whether I was cut out to teach before I jumped into college courses. It was a great experience, very challenging and rewarding, an experience that helped me decide on my college major – archaeology. But while contemplating becoming a substitute I realized that it would give me the freedom to work, or not work, on any given day, it would still give me time at home and with the boys and, it would allow me to interact with their teachers. I also realized that my prior school experiences were probably a bit tougher than this would be since I had worked with the “behaviorally challenged” kids. They were a little harder to cope with, however, I must admit those little tykes had a great assortment of very interesting medication, just glad I had the strength to go cold turkey. Not really, I’d never steal mind altering medication from a poor defenseless little child but that five second rule only applies to food, not medication. So, I’d give it a try I decided and if it doesn’t work out the only thing lost would be a few hours or a couple of days out of my life. So, yes, it’s true, I’m now officially a substitute teacher. I came home and proudly announced my newly found career path which was quickly followed by the statement, “oh my god what if I get first graders? Will I be able to handle them for a full day? Maybe I should stick with middle school and high school.”

I really need to learn some self-editing as I have become painfully aware over the years that when I blurt out statements declaring a concern or a fear it’s only a matter of time. Yesterday was my very first assignment as a proud new substitute teacher. The first graders were, well……………………..very young and very small! When the school called me the day before and asked if I could fill in I wasn’t quick enough on my feet to say no. Suddenly an old episode of WKRP in Cincinnati began looping in my brain, the episode when Johny Fever is interviewing a child expert. “I’ll tell you what’s wrong with kids today,” the expert announces, “they’re very young and immature.” I could feel the blood drain out of my face when I contemplated spending an entire day with the same little runny nosed faces. Trapped! Would the principal come looking for me before they locked the doors for the evening? Would I be a sobbing mass hunched down in the corner of the room? Worse yet, do first graders know how and where to hide a body? Too late!, I’ve already agreed. Besides what’s there to be afraid of I’m at least 2 1/2′ taller than any of them and I carry a can of mace.  

So, here we go boys and girls, a day in the life of a first grade substitute.

I arrive in the office at promptly 7:30 to pick up the teacher’s notes, the daily lessons, a key to the classroom door, and a rather large bottle of Valium. As I make my way through the halls I smile with the realization that the over-sized drink I brought with me would be the perfect concoction to wash down mama’s little helpers, gotta love the guy that invented Tequila Sunrises! As I get myself settled in my students begin to wander into class. Some of them drop off book bags and backpacks then make their way to the cafeteria for breakfast, others remain in the classroom and begin the task of making me feel at home until the first bell rings at 8:00, the day has officially begun.

As I try to explain who I am and why I’m there the questioning begins. I think I did a great job of hiding my uneasiness and fear as I realized that I would be dealing with them for at least 55 minutes until they went to the computer/library lab. Then again, I don’t remember seeing that strange little gleam in little children’s eyes since watching that old classic “Children of the Corn.” Which brings me to my first question, I know I haven’t been in first grade in about 41 years but when did they start going to computer lab?  Back to the questioning, which in many ways reminded me of John Candy and McCauley Culkin in “Uncle Buck” – what’s your name, why are you here, where’s our teacher, when will she be back, do we have to put up with you all day, are we going to get ice cream today since it’s Friday, do you have any kids, how long have you been a teacher, do we have to do anything today, why are you writing the date on the chalkboard like that when it’s suppose to be numbers not letters…………. I was proud of keeping up with them despite the fact that there were 15 kids all talking at the same time. Okay let’s get started, how many of you need me to order a lunch tray for you today, hands up high in the air. Great 12, wait 15, okay what’s up with 13 – let’s try again, I finally get an accurate count – I think.

Finally, on to the first assignment of day. I’ve already reviewed what I should be going over with them and am somewhat convinced that yes, I am smarter than a first grader. Let’s read and write the words that I have written on the board and then phonetically sound them out: sit – s / i / t, big – b / i / g, fig - f / i / g. We’re on a roll until the questions start again, how old are you one little boy shouts from the back of the room. Well, I’m older than 20 and younger than 100 I tell him. Oh, you’re 99? I can’t help but smile as I consider the large spread between 20 and 100, I respond “no I’m not 99! I’m actually 99 and a half, it has suddenly come back to me that kids that age just love to add on that half. Okay, they’re starting to giggle and smile at me, this might not be as bad as I thought. We finish the lesson and it’s time to line them up for computer/library lab.

My first experience of lining up 15 rowdy first graders was a bit challenging and what should have taken no more than five minutes suddenly turned into 10. As we finally snaked our way down the hallway a woman at the end of the hall stood glaring at me. As she explains to me that we are five minutes late and that I am suppose to be the head of the snake I try to explain our tardiness, to no avail. She hisses at me that being a substitute is no excuse for the kids being late to lab, I promised her next time I would try to get them there on time. As I turned and walked back to the classroom I couldn’t help but think about how she had hissed at me and wonder just how big of a machete I would have to bring with me next time that would lop off the head of that snake!

After lab and a quick bathroom/water fountain break for the little kiddies, okay quick as in about 20 minutes instead of the allotted 10, we move on to math. This was obviously not a popular subject as the entire classroom very quickly turned from excited chatter to complete chaos. I position myself in the center of the room and in a very loud voice warn everyone that they do not want me to go hulk on them. This response was followed by a comment from one of the boys that it appears I am starting to turn green! Complete silence, beautiful! We quickly move through the math assignment which left some spare time before recess. As I attempt to find something to occupy them one little girl informs me that her mom is pregnant and she will soon have a little brother. I question her about her feelings about gaining a brother which obviously makes her feel a bit special. Very quickly the other kids realized that I was taking time to talk directly to their classmate about something very personal. From this exchange I gleaned the following information, fourteen of the fifteen children will soon be welcoming a new baby into the family. As I quickly digest this data I come to the following scenarios: 1. a lot of women here on the prairie give it up for the holidays, probably has something to do with eggnog; 2. there was one VERY busy cowboy rounding up prairie filly’s during the holidays, probably had something to do with eggnog; 3. a couple of the little boogers weren’t telling the truth.

The line quickly and quietly formed with the prospect of being released into the wild for recess. They’re really starting to respect me and are finally realizing who’s in charge, I thought. Out to the playground we go where they scatter in five different directions. About ten or fifteen minutes into recess I suddenly realize that my class had at least tripled in size. As I try to solve this cloning phenomena I realize that there are three teachers sitting in chairs next to the building, all chatting on their cell phones. Had I known that first graders don’t need a teacher in close proximity while climbing, jumping, swinging, and beating the hell out of each other I would have brought my own chair. Just as I was about to retreat to the shade next to the building, and the other teachers, one of my students informed me that one of the little girls on the huge wooden fortress/slide was crying. No she didn’t fall, he informs me, one of the boys slammed her head against the tree. I go to the princess’ aid with great concern, where the hell is her teacher and how could this have happened? To my horror she lay there motionless, her eyes closed, and she very slowly responded to my words of concern. As she sat up I asked her if she was okay to which she responded I think I’m okay ’cause I don’t feel sick or anything. Well, I’m a bit worried about you, there is a large red spot on your forehead and I think maybe we need to take you to your teacher. The tears well up in her eyes and I can’t help but be concerned about the prospect of her injuries then she explains that the mark on her forehead is a birthmark. And a very pretty birthmark it is, I tell her.  I quickly gather up my kids and we return to class. The break has allowed them to burn off a little excess energy which we all needed by this point in the day. 

 At this point of the day a teacher’s aid comes to my rescue. As she takes over the class I gather up three little girls and take them to reading tutorial. We each spend about 35 minutes reading books, sometimes silently at other times to each other. I especially liked The Pig Gets a Wig. Really funny with great pictures! Not much of a challenge but one of the girls helped me with the tough words. Back to class.

Lunchtime! My second favorite class of the day, right behind recess. I walk the kids to the cafeteria then beeline it out the door. I only have 35 minutes to bring my nicotine level back up to the appropriate level and there’s no smoking on campus. I didn’t realize I could squeal the tires like that. A quick trip home, four or five cigarettes and back to school. I realized on my way back that the day is more than half over, I might just survive this!

I pick up my kids at the cafeteria and we walk back to class. They have obviously consumed large quantities of any and all types of food that winds kids up. They are skipping, giggling, fighting, and making strange noises that only mothers love and appreciate. Oh well, I find them all quite amusing and entertaining. We take another bathroom/water fountain break and begin our afternoon.

The teacher in her infinite wisdom has schedule an hour of activity time right after lunch. This gives the kids some freedom to work in groups in several different stations scattered around the classroom. Some of them read, some work on puzzles, others build structures with Legos, I spend time playing letter bingo with a group. They are quite inventive and really seem to get along well with each other. As they go about their business they each take the time to come over and chat with me. Each has a question to ask me followed by a sweet compliment and a hug. I really like your hair, those are pretty earrings, I think you’re really nice. Do you hit your kids? Will you hit us? Funny stuff.  I’m starting to realize that first graders are very entertaining and very quick witted.

After another bathroom/water fountain break it’s time to get back to the serious business of learning. We begin to work on patterns. They are expected to copy the shapes I have written on the board and then complete the pattern using one of the shapes. Square, circle, triangle, star – they all copy the first three and just can’t seem to get a handle on the star. As I make my way around the room I help each of them with the star. I can’t help but notice that most of them know how to draw it and are actually just trying to get some attention. I gladly oblige.

An announcement over the intercom, any students wanting to buy ice cream needs to do so by 2:30. The kids erupt, only two have the money needed to buy ice cream. I ask the students what happens when only two people have money, they quickly respond – the teacher buys ice cream for all the students that forgot their money. As I contemplate this answer the compliments come fast and furious. I love your fingernail polish, it’s exactly like mine except my fingernails are purple and yours are red. I love your shoes, they look cute. I love your shirt says one boy, the girl sitting next to him calls him stupid because it’s a dress not a shirt. Oh, he responds, I love your shirt dress. Everyone gives me another hug. Okay, let’s line up to go to the cafeteria. This goes much quicker than previous attempts, we are about to file out the door when another announcement comes over the intercom, there will be a stranger alert in 10 minutes. Oh hell no, why did they get the kids all wound up about ice cream and then announce an alert. No time to make it to the cafeteria and back in 10 minutes. No ice cream today, all hell breaks loose. I had forgotten that first graders can throw a fit and cry at the same time. Suddenly we hear – teachers and students there is a stranger in the building please respond appropriately. With this the children all run to the corner of the room and get down on the floor, I make sure the door is locked, turn out the lights and take my place with the kids. Now I know this is necessary in this day and age but I must admit it has to scare the hell out of little kids. After the appropriate amount of time another announcement declaring the drill over. The kids burst into discussion each trying to explain to me the reason these drills take place. One little boy tells me he saw a man’s shadow on the blackboard, suddenly they all saw it. I try to calm them down but it takes a while. It makes me sad to think of what kids actually have to deal with, my childhood suddenly seemed so innocent compared to theirs.

Time for gym. A young woman comes and takes them outside for gym. This leaves me time to relax and regroup. I set up a television and VCR for the movie they will watch until the end of the day. When they return one last bathroom/water fountain break and then they spread themselves out on the floor in front of the TV. They spend 15 minutes watching a movie about meteorology before it’s time to get them ready to go home.

I release the kids that are being picked up to other teachers stationed in the hallway. It is my responsibility to watch over the line of first graders that will be catching the A bus. The kids are lined up seated in the middle of the hallway. Apparently, I have the honor of walking these little angels out of the building and across the schoolyard to the awaiting line of buses. As I await word to start the trek out of the building I stand guard over my charges. A little blond girl, dressed in a cheerleading uniform, informs me that the two boys sitting in front of her like her. Oh you must be very sweet if you already have two boyfriends, I reply. Her response to me takes me by surprise, not only do they like me they both want to have sex with me. As my mind races for the appropriate words I get the signal to start the journey out the door. Thank goodness, how do you respond to that statement coming from a first grader?

Down the sidewalk to the awaiting bus. Another teacher and I help make sure they all get on the right bus. Success! My day of teaching is officially over. I gather my things and go to the office to check out. How did it go, asks the school secretary. I think pretty good we all managed to get through the day.

Later that night when Mr. Sexy got home he asked me how it went and would I do it again. I would do it again if I’m given the opportunity. How did it go? I think pretty well, only a couple of problems. By the way, I think an eye patch on a 6 year old is kinda sexy don’t you?