Hail To The Teacher.....

Several weeks ago, I signed up to be a substitute teacher. Of course, it's not as easy as signing up these days. I had to attend a workshop, fill out an application, obtain references, get finger printed (that was fun) and then wait for the school board's approval. With all that said and done, I received my first call last week on Thursday at 8:22am asking if I could be there ready to fill in by 9:30am. Yikes!! I hadn't even showered yet. And it was a Social Studies class! Is that where I teach them geography? I can't get anywhere in Georgia without a GPS or printed Mapquest directions. Or would it be something about the Constitution or how laws are passed? I have a few School House Rock tunes filed away in my brain that could help me through this. My mind was going a mile a minute while I was getting ready. I think I'm glad it was a last minute call so I had less time to stress over my first day.

One of the requirements to become a sub is to attend a 4 hour workshop. The one I attended was led by a woman who is a retired educator. She did a great job squeezing lots of important info into 4 hours. One of the things she stressed to us was not to go away from a subbing job discussing specifics about the teacher you filled in for or the students. While I won't ever give those specific details, I will probably share funny stories or happenings along the way. The other thing that she stressed more than once is do not touch the children. She warned that those Kindergartener's have hug me written all over them .... but DON'T do it. A pat on the head, high five or knuckle bump, nothing more.

I was soooooo nervous on this first assignment because not only was I was subbing for a Social Studies class, but they were 8th graders!! I sort of remember being an 8th grader and I've lived through raising an 8th grader of my own. Everything in their life is VERY important and somewhat dramatic. And they are stuck in that weird place of going from middle school to high school .... they are somebody! The good news is that I had help from neighboring teachers since it was a last minute sub assignment, and everyone still thinks I'm a smart sub. (shhhh) I had 4 different periods of students and each one of them were a good group of kids. Some of them knew me and asked "are you Chandler's mom?" Much to Chandler's dismay, by the time I picked her up that afternoon, she had already heard that I was a sub at her school that day. How embarassing is that? Not for me, but apparently it was for her. I think she ended up feeling OK about it, because my reviews were mostly positive. :-) I returned for a second day of subbing on Friday and much like Thursday, it was a good experience.

My two little days of subbing pale in comparison to the long term committment that teachers have made to make the world a better place by teaching the children!! Take a minute to tell a teacher how much you appreciate them. (then give them a high five) :-)

Where it begins ...

I've owned lots of journals over the years. I've written down random occurrences and memories here and there and even looked back at them from time to time. I also keep a small notepad handy in my purse so I can jot down a fleeting thought or something great I hear or read while I'm on the road. I recently applied to become a substitute teacher (I think this might net me a good story or two) and in telling this via email to my BFFs Dana & Kim, I may have made them laugh a little. At dinner a few nights later, Dana suggested that one day I write a book. I believe the suggestion was based on the emails I've sent to them over time describing different events that have taken place in my life. I do like writing for the enjoyment of others. I find that my stories sound better on paper because my introvert self can be a little more extravert, more creative in word choices and presentation in order to capture my audience's attention.

So, Dana ... I don't know that my stuff is book worthy, but blog worthy? I think maybe. I might pull out an old family, friend, kid or animal story that is too good not to share. I LOVE researching and looking for stuff on the internet. There are LOTS of people out there that are smarter than me and I have bookmarked some of their really cool sites over time; bought their books; and watched their shows on TV. I might even share that kind of stuff. I have friends with cool jobs and hobbies and would love to give them a shout out. Ask anyone who knows me, I don't cook anything well that doesn't come in a box with specific instructions; I can sew on a button, but that's about it; and any place in my house that looks fitting for a live plant is referred to as "the death ledge". Even though I'm not good at those things, there are lots of people I know who are and I'd love to share their ideas and know-how with you. I also have family and friends that I don't get to see often enough and although I keep up with some of them on FaceBook, this too will be a good tool for keeping in touch.

Who knows how often I will post and Lord only knows who will read this thing. I'll make my husband, kids and mom faithful followers of my blog, everyone else ... you're free to choose. :-) And I'm off!!