Member-only story
“Get Off of Your Phone!”
How I problem-solved an ongoing issue
I’m a substitute teacher and I — for the most part — love it. Mainly, I love getting to choose the days I work while still having time for other career ventures and things I enjoy.
Another benefit of substitute teaching is that on the days I do take a job, I make decent money and get to walk away afterward without a stack of papers to grade or future curriculum planning to do. And, of course, if I end up with a class full of poor behavior, I don’t ever have to go back.
I’ve started keeping a “naughty list” on my phone, for every class that’s sent me home with a headache. My hand-dandy list has made it a quick and easy “yes” or “no” when asked to substitute a second time in the same year for certain teachers.
On one occasion last year, an entire school made it onto my naughty list, and I have no intentions of returning. A new year might switch up the students in classrooms, but it sure doesn’t change the staff and faculty in a school.
I enjoy teaching
I never saw myself as a teacher when I was younger but have found I thrive in most classrooms. I believe the things that have helped me are my natural-born leadership skills and my education in mental health.
