It made me ask myself two questions:
- What is it about having a sub that creates monsters out of normally nice, respectful kids?
- Why would anyone want to be a substitute teacher?
First, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the substitute teachers out there. They come in to a classroom every day not knowing what they will face. They don’t know the students and they haven’t had the opportunity to build relationships with them. They walk, every day, into the proverbial lion’s den, ready for anything.
Secondly, I would like to apologize to all of the subs who have received poor treatment from any of my students. Know that they were taught to be better, and if you left me their names, they will receive consequences for their behavior.
The students whose names are on my list will not have a good week. They will lose privileges, their parents will be called, and they will have a detention. More importantly, they will have a discussion with me about how hard it is to be a substitute teacher and how much harder they made it for that particular teacher that day. Hopefully, this will make them think twice the next time. Maybe not -- but I can only do what I can do and hope!