#SOL20 Day 26 My Favorite Lie

"Mamacita! Who are you today?"

A student stops, turns, and asks, "Wait. She's your mom?"

And so begins,

My Favorite Lie

Libby and I shared a classroom for several years. She went half time after the birth of her oldest daughter and I split my time between junior high and high school. It made sense for us to share a room. 

We are both early-to-school teachers and mornings could be crazy with students dropping in for one reason or another. We'd laugh and cry over bagels and coffee (or orange juice for Libby) many, many mornings. We'd joke about the youngest teacher and the oldest teacher sharing a room, she called me "old but fun", we'd share stories about her daughter and my grandkids. 

At some point, she began calling my mom.

Of course, a student heard that. 

I got an email during class one day telling me what she'd done. "Go along with it", she said. And I did. But I never thought it would go on as long as it has. I mean, kids would figure it out, right?

Most didn't though. Or maybe they chose to believe us. But we always stuck to our story. 

There would be the smart one who asked why we didn't have the same last name.

Duh. She got married.

Or the really smart one who noticed that Libby's maiden name wasn't Day.

Well, Mrs. Day doesn't really like to talk about her past.

Last year was the best, though, when we pulled another person into our story -- Libby's oldest daughter. 

I was doing a long term sub for Libby's team teacher and was in her room every day for freshmen English. This class also included a few gifted and talented 8th graders. They returned to the junior high one day and asked Libby's daughter if I was really her grandma. 

"Well, yea," she told them. 

"Story confirmed" they came back and told the class the next day.

Another group of believers.

Hey, Grandma!

Wait! She's your grandma?

And so it continues.

#SOL20 Day 10 Can You Sub Today?

Once in a while, my easy mornings are erased by a phone call...

The Call: My phone rings at about 6:40am. I'm usually awake, not up yet, but awake. All those years of getting up early for school don't just disappear. And old habits are hard to break. It's often a crapshoot. The secretary doesn't always tell me who I'd be covering for until I've said I'm available.

Getting Ready: I can ready myself for the day pretty quickly when I need to. Shower, Chloe outside, one cup of coffee, get dressed, grab my stuff and go. Now it does help that I prepare for the week on Sundays. My bag is packed, I have outfits picked out for the week, and I have some grab and go breakfast items ready. There are mornings, though, when I think, "Why the heck did I say yes?"

School Welcome: Once I get to school, I'm good to go. My attitude changes during the five-block drive. Greetings always make me smile. Kids always ask, "Who are you here for, Mrs. Day?"
My friends always ask, "Who are you today?" Most (not all) are excited to see me. Kids because I'm something new in their day. Staff because we're friends and get a chance to visit.

Sub Plans: These are always a crapshoot too. I like the detailed ones that include an answer key. The more info I have, the better job I do filling in. I know it's not always possible when you are calling in sick. This is just my preference.

I love seating charts made with pictures--or just an alphabetical listing of kids with their pictures (many attendance programs will do this). It's so much easier to learn who kids are when you have their picture right in front of you. It also prevents the age-old sitting in someone else's spot trick that kids love to try with subs!

There's always one (or maybe two): There's always at least one kid during the day that's uncooperative. They lay their head on the desk and are probably sleeping. Or they argue the cell phone rule. They don't pay attention. They are mouthy. "We always do this." is their favorite response. When it comes time for the assignment, they don't want help but will sit and gripe that they don't get it and the teacher "never teaches anything".

I also get plenty of SSB's when subbing. I know they step up their game just for me. Touching each other, wrestling, throwing things. But they are also funny, helpful (when they want to be) and you know just where you stand with them.

I like it when my easy mornings are erased by a phone call...

{solsc} 4/31 #sol19 Notice and Note

Look at this. One day of subbing. Three slices. Who says I don't have anything to write about?

"I just finished reading this on Saturday. Changed all my plans on Sunday. And taught my first lesson on Monday. Do you know this book?"

Know it? I bought it as soon as it came out. Used it with several groups. 

" Well, yes. I had it and left it with all my other professional stuff."

"You did?"  

She turns around and looks at the shelf. Sure enough. There's my copy, sitting right behind her this whole time, post-it notes and all.

"I also had the student workbook."

"You did???" Turns around to look. Sure enough. There it is.

"Well. Alicia can have yours since she wanted to borrow it. But I'm keeping the workbook."

Notice. And Note.

{solsc} 3/31 . #sol19 Homework

I finished up subbing on Friday and told Roomie (a friend whom I shared a room with for a few years) that I needed to head to the library for a new book.

"I have a few in here, you know."

I do know. One of the things Roomie and I share is a love of books. Books of all kinds and most of them ended up in our classroom library. I kept the library when she moved out and taught Spanish for a few years. She has it now that she's back teaching English and I retired.

I haven't read much YA since I retired and thought, "Why not?" She's pulling new books out and then sees one in a basket.

"Here. Try these. They're historical fiction that use primary sources throughout the story. Takes place in the 60's. Let me know if the story itself is good!"

I take them and put them in my bag.

Homework.  I like it.

{solsc} 2/31 #sol19 What's a Retired Teacher Do?

I retired from teaching in May of 2017. I wasn't really ready to give it up. Close, but I thought I had a couple more years in me. But a healthy early retirement package gave me the incentive to go.

So what does a retired English teacher do? She subs, of course. I told our high school secretary I'd be up for a couple of days a week. No PE, but I'd give everything else a try. And, boy, have I tried them all.

• Ag
• Manufacturing
• Math (AP Calc, Geometry, Algebra, Consumer Econ)
• Science  (Chemistry, Physics, Human Anatomy)
• English (Yeah!)

The best thing about subbing? Everyone is happy to see me.  

• Kids cheer and ask who I'm there for. Yes. I know. Kids always are happy to see a sub. They consider it a day off. 
• Teachers are happy when they know I'm coming to their room. I'm not so far removed from the high school classroom and can handle any surprises. 
• Administration thanks me for coming in every time. Student behaviors are handled in the classroom, for the most part.
• Even our smiley custodian makes sure I get a cookie on the days he bakes.

It's kind of like being a rock star.

I've taken on two long term subbing positions. Last May was an emergency situation in my old position. This year I subbed in Special Ed for a friend while she was on maternity leave. I loved it. Although, parts of it were tough, being back daily was fun. 

Part of that fun, though. was knowing I was done in December :)

Celebrate!

LIfe has been good for this old retired teacher--although I don't feel old and I've been subbing a lot, so sometimes I don't feel retired. Wait! Yes, I do. There's no bag of grading and planning coming home with me every day :)  This week's celebrations were easy to find and you'll probably hear more about them in the weeks to come.

1. A former student and speech kid texted me the other day and invited me to a reception in which she will be receiving a Congressional Merit Award. I had no idea what this award was but told her I'd be honored. This is a student who has kept in touch with me throughout the school year. She filled me in on speech happenings, even thanking me at the end of the season for my part in her speech career. I haven't seen her to ask about this award, but if it's this, I'm incredibly honored that she asked me to attend.




2, Twice in the last couple of weeks I've been asked to sub in classrooms because the kids asked for me and teachers were more than willing to have me. It's nice. When I taught full time I often didn't ask for specific subs, just took the luck of the draw. Although, in my 28 years, there were a couple that I specifically asked that they NOT sub in my room. And it was because of the way the kids talked about them. They were generally unfair and tried to impose their own rules in a room where they really didn't know the kids. I'm glad that the kids know me well enough and still want me to sub in their room.

3. Turning 60 is a big birthday in our friend group the last year or two and unless you plan your own party like I did, our group is going to plan you a surprise party. Last October, we dressed as hippies and surprised the birthday girl and took her out on the town,

Tonight, we're all traveling about an hour from me (much longer for some) to surprise another friend. He owns his own exterminator company, so we had shirts made for the occasion (and yes. A couple of us will dress as bugs). We also have gray afro wigs to match his curly hair.

He doesn't know we're coming.
He doesn't know some others are coming.
He definitely doesn't know about the shirts and the wigs.

Should be fun!

Today's writing quote: "Make notes--I've lost more material than I've ever written. Contrary to popular opinion, it's not still up there in one's brain. It's in outer space and it ain't ever coming back."   Judith Guest

{solsc} 23/31 #sol18 . Silly Subbing Snippet

There's always a little silliness at the beginning of class when I sub in my own high school. This is one of those silly little moments, but it made me laugh out loud. D is one of my former speech kids. He's loud, silly and likes to procrastinate working in class.  M is the sister of a favorite student., but I don't know her well yet. They've been chatting and giggling in their table group for about ten minutes. Over Clemintines :)

D: Can I go to my locker?

Me: No. Because you haven't done squat yet.

M: D. Do a squat!

D: Huh?

M: She said you hadn't done squat. Do a squat. Do 2!

D does a squat. Looks at me while I am laughing.

D: Well?

Me: Go!  (How could I say no?)

{solsc} 21/31 #sol18 8th Grade Boys

While I began my career teaching seventh and eighth graders, I ended teaching high schoolers. Mostly juniors and seniors. Trust me. They grow up in the years between middle school and graduation.

But there are lots of things I forgot about middle school-- eighth-grade boys in particular. I notice them yesterday when I subbed for a teacher who taught both middle school and high school students.

1. The difference in sizes! In one class I had a student who was at least six foot. Standing next to him most of the class period was a boy the same age who would be stretching to hit five foot.
2. They are loud. Enough said. But so are high school boys. The seventh-grade boys who followed them, however, were not so loud.
3. They touch everything. Even each other. They are always punching and poking each other. They get into each other's things. They touch everything!!!!
4. They don't think they have to listen to you. But like a naughty puppy, if you speak sternly (don't yell), they settle down.
5. They do not know how to flirt with girls. I tried to tell one that going through a girl's pencil bag and complaining how organized it was, wasn't the way to get her to like you.
6. They are all too cool for school. 

I'm going back to sub for the same teacher today. I bet I'll be able to edit this post after school!

{solsc} 11/31 #sol18 A Lovely Way to Spend a Sunday

I remember Sundays before retirement. I'd be up at 6:30, make the coffee and grab the Sunday paper. I'd read it while I drank a couple cups of coffee.

After the paper, I'd check Facebook and Twitter. But also lurking on my computer would be

• 40+ websites to check blog posts and portfolios
• writing drafts shared through google docs that needed feedback
• published writing that needed to be graded
• assignments from other classes that needed grading
• emails from kids with questions

All day and into the night I worked on this list, slowly whittling it down. I don't think I ever finished it, but I some point I had to move on to lesson plans for the six different English classes that I taught.

Ugh.

I definitely had a case of the SMONDAYS.

Since I retired, Sundays are more relaxed. I don't have to hurry through the paper. There is nothing to grade. My planning looks like this now

• two outfits for the week (jeans are always an option)
• check my calendar  to see what's coming up for the week
• what movie to watch in the afternoon
• what should we fix for supper

That's it. 

And let me tell you, it's a lovely way to spend a Sunday.

{solsc} 10/31 #sol18 Of Hope and Celebration

Combining Jennifer Laffin's Word of the Day Hope, which also showed up in Ruth Ayers' Celebrate  post today. Two words that definitely go together.

One of the things I hoped when I started subbing this fall, was that teachers I wasn't particularly close to would want me in their classroom. I knew my friends did, but what about the others?  And the kids. Although I knew MY kids would be glad to see me once in awhile, but I hoped that those I didn't have relationships with would give me a chance. Irrational fears, but fears just the same.

Tuesday helped put these irrational fears to rest. I came in to sub for the Ag teacher (Agriculture, Horticulture, FFA Leadership, Ag mechanics, etc). I really know nothing about these classes and was a little nervous. As I was walking down to his classroom, the Ag teacher was walking my way.

"Are you coming down to my room?" he asked.

"Yep."

"Oh good. When I saw you coming I hoped it was for me and not someone else! It's going to be a crazy day with a two hour late start and messed up schedule, plus the pep assembly for the girls. I was hoping I would get someone who could be flexible and go with the flow."

And there it was. That's what I hoped for when I started subbing. Teachers like me in their rooms because I take care of THEIR kids. 

                                               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Other Celebrations this week:

• Morning hugs from my kids at school (Yep. Some high school kids still want a hug)
• Comments like, "You should just come back to work Mrs. Day. You're here a lot anyway."
• The power of story: Listening to the stories of Arlo Guthrie this week reminded me of the importance of keeping those family stories alive.
• Friends who go out of their way to make you feel welcome in their home. 
• Daylight Savings Time starts 
• Snow Days ( I still like them and treat them like I did when I worked full time) and the best part is, I don't have to make them up !
• Our Girls Basketball team won the 3A basketball championship last Saturday, setting several records in the process. Three of the girls also made the All-Tournament team. It was an exciting ride!
• I don't have to give standardized tests anymore!

Ok. That's it for this week.  What are YOU celebrating?

{solsc} 4/31 #sol18 . Harry, Work Your Magic

"I need you to walk into the room, so it magically starts working."

Those were my words to "Harry, the Tech God" on Friday. Because isn't that what always happens when you give up and finally go to the tech guy? They walk in the room and it works.

I'd shown Romeo and Juliet for two days to the freshmen English classes I was subbing in. Everything worked perfectly. But, of course, Friday, the last day I'm in class, I can't get the stupid movie to show up on the Promethean board.

I tried EVERYTHING in my tech arsenal.

• I turned off the board.
• I took the DVD out of the player and put it back in again.
• I restarted the computer.
• I checked all the connections

Zip. Nada. Nothing.

There was only one thing left to do. Get Harry.

I begin class and Harry works his magic. Oh. It doesn't just magically work. He repeats everything I had already done. Nothing. 

And then he reaches behind the Promethean board and does something. I'm not sure what, but we have LIGHTS. CAMERA. ACTION.

#SOL18 . #DWHabit . Cranky

I should be
CRANKY

when my phone rings shortly after 6:00am

I should be 

CRANKY

and pull the covers over my head 

I should be

CRANKY

about not crossing things off my to-do list

I should be

CRANKY

because I stayed up way too late on a school night

But I'm not.

My clothes are ready.

My attitude's ready.

And I get to sub in Art, which is fun and

CREATIVE.

Added bonus. I don't have to go in 'til

9:00am

So there is plenty of time for an

extra cup of coffee and

Snuggles with Chloe.

Not My Room Anymore

Going back to school and subbing this winter has been good for me. Truth be told, I get a little bored once in a while, and getting back in the classroom is fun (and a lot less work than teaching full time). I love seeing my kids again and meeting some new ones. I get to see all my friends and catch up on all the school gossip.

But I miss my room.

The physical space is there, but the life I knew in it is gone. When it was mine, you knew when you walked in that reading and writing were important in that room. You knew by peeking in that students and their voice were valued. There was life in that room. Pods of kids were always about living, breathing, and learning.

There are no signs pointing the way to Oz or threatening with flying monkeys.
There are no speech folders cluttering the counters waiting to be put away.

There are no books lining the walls, ready to be grabbed to prove a point or entice a new reader. There are no books in the chalk tray waiting to be remembered.
There are no books in the basket resting until a new reader finds it.

There are no books.

It's a Spanish room now and I'm sure learning still happens. It just doesn't seem to have the vibrancy it once did. Or maybe, it's just my memories overshadow the reality.