Last week I decided to take a substitute position for the
day for a 7th grade language arts teacher. After subbing there for two days I was asked to stay until the end of the year to fill in for a teacher who has some medical issues.
I decided to take on the challenge!
There are some difficult behavior issues I am up against with these kids, particularly because they have lost some structure and routine from having substitute teachers so often. I feel with some consistency I will begin to see more improvements, but
seeing as I have already made progress, I’m simply excited to see what I can
accomplish with them. I've already started doing some research for new ideas
and have a list of things I need to prepare this weekend.
The hardest thing for me at the moment is that I have no
idea where they are in the curriculum yet. I also heard that the district may
supply the lessons. This is something that I will need to find out from the
principal when we meet on Monday.
I think I may have to start out by doing some “get to know
you” activities and work on a few routines. The first week may start out a
little rough, but I think once they view me as their new teacher and not just
another sub things will go smoother.
