Now that's how you do it!

Being the authority while the contracted full time authority figure takes leave for whatever happenstance reason is really making me assess the character that resides within me. The details of this week did not nudge nor push me it kicked me straight into a some kind of funky tripped out magical mirror carnival house kind of thing.

Let me tell you the life of a sub teacher offers no peace of mind, yet it corners you and your fate lies with kids who aren’t old enough to make educated decisions. You go to work one day – excited to be the prime example of goodness, - you know the bitchin sub everyone likes, well – well – well – so not the case.

My intentions to motivate children to do their homework in order to become an educated productive member of society has been thrown in my face – the kids counter reacted and threw their gauntlets down.  They weren’t having any kind of person telling them education will save you from the hells of government assistance, and ignorance.    

What is a person supposed to do? I’ve considered walking out mid-class and throwing my name tag to the front door of the office which led me to the classroom in which everything I have been taught and believed in went out the door (RESPECT AND yeah RESPECT) The environment of saintly kids who only say kind words to each other and respect adults was close to non-exist except for the angelic faces and personalities of few.

The curve threw me into a zone I had never treadled on- disciplining another persons child - first I was using kindness and Christlike mannerisms to settle them down - that didn't work - now the ugly - I was forced to react in a not so nice manner resulting in suspensions, ISS and the principals office. The result to writing kids up- was them retaliating, can you hear them shouting in unison “she’s the mean sub” – uumm Hello, I wouldn’t have dished out that healthy dose of discipline if you were only listening. So, off to the principal’s office you went. Sorry, but I wish we really could have gotten along; you seem to be a nice kid.

That was the week before last, then I devised a plan – hahahaha – poor kids didn't see this coming.  The game “Are you smarter than a fifth grader” was my saving grace hahahaha, I’m literally laughing at this point – my plan was to show them that they really aren’t SMART, as we know ALEC doesn’t go solo.  

The end result after playing were those same problem kids now think I’m the bomb, kewl (finally they see what I’m all about), and to  top it all off (throw that fruit cup to the side) I have been praised by parents who have personally thanked me for showing their children that education is extremely important to the productiveness of their future.  One parent said“My son really likes it when you sub because you’re the first sub-teacher who has actually motivated him to learn” 

Respect has been re-established and the natural order of humanity has been restored -  
NOW THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!   
I can pat myself on the back and revel in my successes

(sshhh, the game required a little incentive in order to achieve cooperation, a bag of Halloween candy was my arsenal )