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"I Don't Have to Take My Work Home" said no teacher ever

3rd week in my long-term subbing and these are all the phrases/sentences/thoughts that I can muster with the time crunch I seem to be having as each week passes by. It's like my vomit confessions of everything since I've started lol:


  • My first period (or A period) is the loudest & most talkative class I have ever had to start my day with. Many students can't seem to stay in their seats or a couple students who I can name off the top of my head are not understanding "no talking." Oh Lord, have mercy. Help me get through. Hoping these students don't scar the names that I want to name my future children (if the Lord grants this desire lol).
  • I have about 2 classes that are the size of about 25-28 students, which is pretty awesome. The other 3 classes I teach are in the 30s, but less than 36 at least.
  • I'm getting the same students volunteering to share responses & I need to come up with those Popsicle sticks with their names on them soon! Stat!
  • I just collected my 7th graders' fictional narrative essays today, and boy, I'm in for a long week. Hoping I can get them all graded before I start teaching/preparing them for their Persuasive or Response to Lit. essays. *I need to teach my students how to write these essays before their STAR Writing Test in March. 
  • As far as countdown, I have approximately 4.5-5 weeks left as a long-term sub (at least, as far as I know-- no news about getting an extension yet-- too soon. The teacher I'm subbing for finally had her baby, last Friday).
  • I'm anticipating how my students did on their fictional narrative essays. So far, I'm impressed with the cover illustrations I've received when I was collecting them throughout the day. There were a couple that are quite "ehhh" (then again, I'm not a great artist either, so I'm not one to really judge haha)
  • I have learned that I must always be EXPLICIT and very clear with my instructions & expectations in EVERYTHING (homework, tests/quizzes, and especially with this 1st essay I assigned....... may have to revamp it & have the students possibly write another one with a clearer prompt, something I overlooked & didn't realize 'til it was too late)
  • I'm constantly learning. No joke.
  • I actually sent up 2 students to the guidance counselor today for horsing around-- pushing and shoving each other during the morning recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance this morning. These boys were behaving as if my room was a playground -___- I was not going to take that. The counselor totally had my back. He even encouraged me to send some students up (those who disrupt the learning environment) when I 1st met him my first week on the job haha. He was all like "If you need to put your foot down & show them you mean business, do not hesitate to send students my way." How awesome is the support that I'm getting from this staff & administration?
  • I come home tired every single day. This is not even a permanent, stable job yet. I'm still just a substitute teacher, but like one up-- a "long-term sub."
  • I do not/have not been assigning homework every day; only when it's applicable.
  • I find myself enjoying the one 6th grade class I have to teach. A bunch of enthusiastic students. Very energetic, but quite lovable.
  • I still haven't memorized ALL the students' names. I think in each period, I may have like 5-6 that I haven't solidified. I feel like I have 2, maybe almost 3, periods where I know all their names-- but I hesitate sometimes.
  • Social life rarely exists during the week. The most social I get is interacting with the fast-food people or Starbucks/or boba workers if I happen to make a quick "treat" pitstop in the morning before work or after school. Also- the interaction with the other faculty members on campus.
  • I love & miss sleep. My lesson plans are literally getting adjusted every week due to pacing & level of each period. I am doing my best to keep all classes at common bookmark, so far-- not too bad.
  • Alrighty, need to grade essays! TOOTLES!

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