Subbing Is Not as Easy as It Looks

Last Thursday was the first time I subbed (and I just barely recooperated) and it was interesting to say the least. I subbed in the fourth grade for half-a-day, I started after lunch and went until the end of the day. I was able to meet the teacher and watch how she does things, so that was nice to see how to run an elementary classroom, seeing how I don't know. My experience has been with teenagers, and while I am sure kids no matter what age group will act up for subs, I can handle teens-- they just kinda check out.

The kids were sweet and liked me (I think) but they were all over the place. They tattle, touch each other, can't sit still, tell me how to do things, do the pee pee dance (when they don't have to pee), ask to go to the bathroom or get a drink (right after lunch or recess), get bloody noses, get their feelings hurt, waste time, tell me unnecessary stories, and need a lot of personal attention. It's a mess, and I don't have the patience for it, and maybe they picked up on it because there were a few times that I got frustrated and barked at them. Before P.E. I asked them to sit silently for a minute so I could gain some sanity, and I wanted to see if they could be quiet, but after 20 seconds I got bored.

I have a new respect for elementary teachers, it is a tough job. They have to be nice to other people's children. They have to be like moms and dads and doctors and nurses. They have to deal with a lot of issues that they aren't necessarily trained to deal with--like bloody noses, how does that happen randomly?--and look good at the same time. They have to be nurturing and deal with hurt feelings--telling them to suck it up doesn't fly for these keds. Teachers just don't teach and that's never been in their job description. It's not like doctors or lawyers or engineers, where they just focus on one job or one skill, teachers have to multi-task and be everything at once. It's a tough gig, but someone has to teach the lawyers and doctors and engineers and businessmen to do what they do.

I'm glad it wasn't a full day, I don't think I could have handled it very well, but the kids survived. . . and I'm still here!

More Tests

I really hate taking tests. I especially hate it when my future is determined by the outcome of those tests. We all had to take those poorly written standardized tests to move on to the next grade (a lot of times those tests have nothing to do with any content that you learned), or the SAT/ACT for college, and then once you got accepted into preferred college you had to take a placement exam for math or English. Then there are those exams that are required for aspiring teachers (even teachers have to take tests).

I'm talking about my TB test and my physical. I passed! So now I only have 2 or 3 more hoops to go before I can substitute. I, luckily, have a year to take the CBEST and will wait a few months. I think I'll take it after I start substitute teaching; that way I will have a little money in my pocket, and I will have an idea of what to expect on the test. The only way to get over my hatred of taking tests (well mostly "test anxiety") is to be prepared.

I Have to Do That?!

Since I have moved back to California I've been working on getting my substitute teaching application together. If you've ever tried to substitute teach in California it's quite the process. I first went to some of the district offices and then my sister told me I should go through the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS). So I did. I got a pile of papers to fill out, and a checklist of stuff to do; unlike Utah, California requires there substitute teachers to have at least a B.A. or in pursuit of one, and take the CBEST (a general knowledge test), whereas Utah only requires there subs to breathe.

Even though I have my Utah teaching license that limits a few hoops, but it also means that I have to spend $5 to have my transcripts sent. (That's right it costs $5 to send transcripts now when just a few years ago it only cost $2.) It's going to cost my somewhere between $150 and $200 just for the opportunity to put in a movie for kids that dislike new authority figures for about $100/day, with no medical benefits. (Sometimes being a substitute teacher is hazardous to your health.) Here's a rundown of what it takes for me to start substituting:

1. Fingerprinting and background check ($63)
2. TB Exam ($12.50)
3. Physical ($30+ varies on physician)
4. CBEST ($41, but I have a year to take it)
5. Request Transcripts ($5) and proof of UT license
6. Fill out the CA sub application (free) and other paperwork
   
7. Evaluation of transcripts ($55)

What I thought would take a few days to do, is going to take a week-and-a-few days. On Friday I went to the clinic all excited to be able to get my TB test, but once I got there they told me they weren't doing them that day because Monday is a holiday*. What does that have to do with Friday? So my adventures continue.

*A friend informed me that it takes about 72 hours for TB results to appear, and since Monday was a holiday and the "County" clinic would be closed it would affect the results.