Horrible subbing experience #1

HOLY CRAP, I know that words can never express the day I had at Havermale High School, but oh my goodness will I try. First of all, I am an ELEMENTARY teacher. I am certified Kindergarten through 8th grade. Middle schoolers push my buttons enough, but at least only half of them are bigger than me. High schoolers are a completely different story...especially the ones at Havermale. For those who don't know (btw I didn't when I accepted the job), this is the alternative high school in District 81. I had already received "the letter" from District 81 basically scolding me for not accepting jobs, and letting me know that if I kept doing so, I would be removed from the sub list. Since I was already in trouble, and had 5 minutes earlier declined a job at Rogers, I felt as if I should suck it up and make some money. How bad could it be? Ooooh I am so incredibly naive. On my drive downtown I talked myself up and convinced myself that I would make a great high school teacher, all I had to do was be confident. I was wrong. I pulled up to the high school, immediately regretting my decision. Not only were there G's in the parking lot, probably plotting how to steal my car when I left, but there were metal detectors at the front door. Um, hello, I am now in a Channing Tatum movie. As if I wasn't nervous enough, the secretary in the office said "you're a high school teacher right?" If only you could have seen her face when I said I had never taught high school in my life. (side note, District 81 has this thing called "urgent all-call" where schools can have elementary subs if they can't find anyone else, they just need anyone with a certificate) I had prep the first period of the day, which was nice because I had some time to prepare for the day. It didn't help. The first class I had came in, and every single one of them looked as if they were stoned, drunk, or just hated their lives. The first student to talk to me said "have you ever taught here before?" I said "no" and his response was "all I have to say is, good luck." Thanks dude, you're soooo thoughtful. Needless to say, I had ZERO control over the classroom. Two kids were making out in the corner...and I don't mean they kissed once or twice. No, they were full-on making out like they were at a freaking frat party! Less than half the students actually worked on their assignment while I walked around the room, terrified to tell them to get to work. As if that wasn't bad enough, two kids later in the day decided to just peace out of class while I was helping another student. So, I spent my entire lunch filling out truancy forms to cover my own ass. Congratulations to me, I LOST 2 STUDENTS. Pretty sure I felt like the worst teacher in the world, especially because the principal came to check on my room about once every 30 minutes. I can only imagine what the lady in the office told him. "You better go check on that little white girl cuz she's going to get destroyed by these kids." I was surprised that the secretary came into my classroom before the day was over and asked if I would come back tomorrow because the teacher was going to be gone again. No way in hell, lady. I lied right through my teeth and told her I already had a job the next day. Thankfully, I made it, and my car was still there when I got back to the parking lot...so not worth $116 bucks. At least it makes for a good story to tell :)

Winter

I love that everyone keeps saying we are going to have a mild winter. Somehow, as I drove through a blizzard (not even exaggerating) while coming into Kallispell the other night, and sitting in a football game in Chinook in 0 degrees, I find that hard to believe. I am SO moving to Hawaii. I admire those who live in this ridiculously freezing cold weather. Either that, or I sincerely question their ability to find a place to live....I love you aunt Carla :) I love family get-togethers with my mom's family. I am staying in a house with (altogether) 7 dogs and 10 people, can you tell we are a close family? We are officially the best cousins ever for sitting through Winston and Cord's football game last night, especially because they won 55-0. Go Beeters!!! (what a wonderful mascot=sugarbeeters...not really sure what a sugarbeet is).