I know what you're thinking, but no - I didn't quit another job. Really. It was, however, my first day working as a substitute teacher, and it was only for 2 hours (thankfully!). I was a sub for a high school senior English class. Topic: Beowulf. Last block of the day. Lesson plans: test review in the form of
powerpoint jeopardy. (Beowulf, Grendel, Hrothgar, mead-halls, Middle English, Old English, caesura, etc etc....oh good heavens! I haven't seen these words in years!)
All I have to say is - I really didn't know what I was getting myself into. I expected the students to be somewhat misbehaved (students always give subs a hard time, right?) I was totally and completely shocked at how disrespectful they were to me...but even worse...how mean and cruel they were towards one another!
They picked on the girl who was pregnant, they picked on the guy who was the father of the baby, they picked on the girl who had learning disabilities, and they really picked on the guy who was gay.
Instead of writing the answers to the Beowulf questions on their dry erase answer boards, they wrote "Call Me! 785-456-
xxxx" or "Hot mama." And then, when I lectured them about respect, they wrote "Bitch" on their boards. (I know, I know...I lectured them about respect. I couldn't
believe myself. I must have heard it from one of my teachers at some point, and it just came out.)
I left feeling like such a mean person (but yet, somehow not mean enough to deal with these kids.)
Next week I have a full day. (!)
-Leah
