Mucho trabajo

Time for an update! I've been super busy lately working my two jobs. Today was actually my 18th day straight! My first day subbing was Friday. I was told to go to the website and try to log in every day. When the system finally lets me in, that means that my processing is complete and I'm eligible to begin. I closed Thursday night, came home and watched tv, then decided to try to log in before going to bed. It let me in! I also noticed an opening for the following day. It was a half-day in an English class. I'm certified to teach English, so it sounded perfect! I didn't have to work at my other job till 5 Friday, so I accepted it on a whim. I accepted the job at 11:45 PM and reported to the school at 8:00 AM, haha.

The teacher did not leave me any specific instructions. I checked the sub folder, and the lesson plan was dated November-something. The emergency lesson plan folder was empty. On the board, however, was written the current date and the following:
1) daily journal
2) GEE test prep

I could not find the daily journal topic anywhere, so I made one up myself, simply so that the students would have something to do upon entering the room (a "bellringer" activity). I then searched around the room and managed to find the GEE practice test booklets and the Scantrons. These were in three separate locations, and the tests were for Science and Social Studies. I figured they had to take all of them eventually, and couldn't find an English one, so I handed those out. Scantron tests require the use of a pencil for mechanical scoring purposes. None of the students brought a pencil. The teacher left me no pencils. There were no pencils in her cabinet, lockers, or desk. I borrowed some from the teacher next door and instructed the students to take both tests silently. Turns out some of them know nothing about either subject, and others just don't give a d@mn, so they all just marked random answers without giving it any thought. I spent the next 80 minutes managing the noise level. The teacher didn't leave any activities for early finishers. It was horrible.

Monday I began my long-term position in Spanish. Things are MUCH better. I have a lot more control now that it's my class. I'm not there for just 90 minutes; they have to deal with me for the rest of the year. I get to teach these kids, so I can plan things to take up all of class time. I'm learning their names, so they don't feel like they can get away with anything simply because I don't know who they are. It's still a little challenging, because I'm young, because I'm new to the school, and because I'm technically just a "sub," but it's going alright. I heard reports that some of the classes are unbearable. I've consciously devoted extra effort to those classes and they've actually turned out to be some of my "best."

Here's something interesting. Spanish is currently the only foreign language offered at the school! They are supposed to have French, but they couldn't get anyone to teach it. Another thing: there are only TWO Spanish teachers at the school! There's me (who just started this week) and Ms. Allen (who just started in August). The two of us together teach all students currently enrolled in a foreign language. Crazy!

One thing I've noticed is how disrespectful some of the students can be. I never argued with a teacher; I never left my seat without permission; I never cussed in the classroom; I never took anything off the teacher's desk. Some of these kids don't seem to think twice about it. A few of them just sit there the whole class without even opening their book. They don't bring a pen or paper to class. I've given them something to write with and then they put their head down and go to sleep. I let them do it because it's better than them having off-topic conversations with another student across the room while I'm trying to teach those who are interested. I have a total of 193 students. I've been told that over 60% of them are failing (and were failing before I stepped foot into the classroom).

I actually have a parent-teacher conference in the morning concerning a student's poor grades. I really don't have much to say about it, as I haven't yet given them any grades myself. I cannot explain any of the assignments they've had because they didn't come from me; I don't know what they've done. Furthermore, as a sub, I do not have access to the grade records (stored electronically), so I cannot even tell her what her son's grade is. All I can do is introduce myself, assure her that I'm qualified to teach Spanish and that I'm here to help, and make her aware of the upcoming assignments. It pleases me to know that this parent cares about her child's success, but I don't yet know the student, what work he's done, and what he's capable of. I guess we'll see how it goes.