Maybe one day I can compile a list of crazy things substitute teachers say and do. For now, one example should do.
Upon my return from a sick day recently, I saw the words "Wall of SHAME" written in large letters on my board. Uh-oh, I thought, my students must have really been acting up yesterday. So I asked them about it. From every class, the response was the same:
Any student arriving late had to stand at the "Wall of SHAME" for two minutes. Everyone else was instructed to point at the latecomer and laugh.
"Are you serious?" I asked each of my classes.
"Yeah, he was crazy!" everyone responded.
"What if the late person refused to stand at the board?" I asked.
"He would kick them out of class."
"So, did you guys laugh?"
"Yeah." "He told us to." "We had to!"
In a way, I have to say I admire the guy. I wish I could get the students to do what I wanted. I mean, all I ever really ask is that they do their best. But maybe that's asking too much ...
7 comments:
That may be a little off-kilter but I've heard of much worse.
Still, wasn't s/he embarrassed a bit? I'm embarrassed by the sub. WTF is going through your head?
um, "your" head, as in the sub's head. not teacher man's head.
At least nothing was stolen from your classroom (that you've discovered yet).
Recently, I saw a sub taking a nap in a special ed class where two kids were making out. Not good. I'd prefer the wall of shame
Hey you hard core teachers...
I was a sub for a while and let me tell you just how much it sucked! Nobody likes to be the new kid in the class, especially if you are supposed to be the boss - and nobody likes the boss anyway. I hated when teachers left crapy lesson plans, usually reflective of the way they teach. And I hated when other teachers expected you to instantly have the same rapport with the students after a few hours that teacher have in months - and often in the middle of the year when kids need a break. I know subs do some crazy things, but so do teachers.
Man,
You think at the end of this year you can give up such a gig? You may need these real life experiences to fuel your writing. Can you just be a stand alone writer, as your full-time job? Where will you get the guts of your pieces? We'll have to put you in a teacher simulator for a few hours each day...
You hardly blog anymore. What's up with that?
HA. Maybe I should try a wall of shame in my classrooms when I sub. Something tells me it wouldn't a great idea, but it sure is funny. I'm posting a link on my blog.
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