Giving the Perfect Gift

A few days ago, I asked students to write a journal entry about a gift they plan on giving during the holidays. Some were unable to think of a gift that they could give and so I reminded them that giving someone a hug, writing a letter, or doing something nice for someone is also a gift. Of course, I could use some of my own advice. Lately, I've been worrying quite a bit about whether or not the gifts I bought will be well-received. Instead of focusing on material items, I should be going out of my way to show kindness to others. Giving should be more of an attitude than a solitary act. Here is a story that captures this sentiment well. It made me cry the first time I heard it:

http://sofinesjoyfulmoments.com/hearts/teddy.htm

Unfortunately this story isn't a true one, however, its message of giving without reserve is still powerful. It also reminds me that I should be more considerate of students who are difficult to deal with. You never know where they come from or the circumstances that face them on a daily basis. With some acceptance, patience, and encouragement, they may be able to accomplish great things in spite of difficult circumstances.

Teaching About Santa

I've often wondered whether or not we should be teaching kids that Santa's not real or rather not alive anymore. Well, here's an adorable story about one teacher who was faced with such a dilemma.

Santa’s Dead by Myroslava Maxymiw

For the Feast of St. Nicholas in December, I told my grade 2 students the story
of St. Nicholas. I told them he was born into a wealthy family but as a child he
would give the less fortunate people food and clothing. As an adult he continued
his work with the poor and less fortunate. He spent his wealth and died a poor
man. As soon as I said this, one of my students yelled in a high pitched and
panicked voice, “Oh, no. Santa’s dead! Oh, no he’s dead! I won’t get any
presents”. It took a minute to calm my student down and reassure him that Santa
was working very hard at the North Pole. At this point my heart was pounding. I
was envisioning the child’s parent accusing me of destroying their child’s
Christmas because there was no Santa. Fortunately, my student wiped his tears,
turned to the class and said, “Don’t worry everyone, the teacher made a mistake.
It’s O.K. Santa isn’t dead.”

Sick with a cold

Right now I'm sick with a cold. I guess getting sick is one of the hazards of the job. Anyway, this gives me an excuse to post up this cute little poem:

Sick by Shel Silverstein.

“I cannot go to school today,”
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
“I have the
measles and the mumps,
A gas, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my
throat is dry,
I’m going blind in my right eye…
“I cannot go to school
today,”
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
“I have the measles and the
mumps,
A gas, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is
dry,
I’m going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as
rocks,
I’ve counted sixteen chicken pox
And there’s one more–that’s
seventeen,
And don’t you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut, my eyes
are blue–
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and
choke,
I’m sure that my left leg is broke–
My hip hurts when I move my
chin,
My belly button’s caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle’s
sprained,
My ‘pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes
are numb,
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my spine is
Weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my
mouth,
I think my hair is failing out.
My elbow’s bent, my spine ain’t
straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot
hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart
is–what?
What’s that?
What’s that you say?
You say today is …
Saturday?
G’bye, I’m going out to play!”

I wish I was only faking it!

Great website!

For all you supply teachers out there or for anyone who is interested in finding out more about substitute teaching:

Here's a wonderful website, called Substitute Teaching: Tricks of the Trade, containing reasons for becoming a substitute teacher, "A Typical Day of a Substitute Teacher", and of course, some tricks of the trade.

I'd just like to say that my "typical day" (not that there ever is a typical day in the world of supply teaching) slightly differs from this particular teacher's, but it's close enough. Perhaps my next post will be about a typical day for me.

Top 10 reasons why I like supply teaching:

10. I'm becoming very adept at reading maps

9. I'm becoming a more flexible teacher (as a supply teacher, you have to be ready for anything)

8. I'm collecting many different teaching ideas

7. I'm sharpening my classroom management skills

6. I get to see what the different schools are like (and whether or not I might want to work there more permanently in the future)

5. It helps me determine which grade levels I would prefer to teach in the future

4. I get to see much of the big city

3. It's a new adventure every day

2. If the kids give me a hard time, I don't have to deal with them ever again

1. When the day is over, the job is over


See, it's not all that bad!

Myths about Supply Teaching

Myth #1: Supply teachers are rejects who could not obtain "real" or contract teaching positions

Many supply teachers choose to be supply teachers for various reasons. For instance, they may enjoy having their evenings and weekends off instead of having to plan for lessons, mark assignments, write report cards etc. This job is ideal for individuals who want to spend more time with family and friends or for someone who wants to work part-time. Now, I have to admit that I personally did not choose the job. I originally wanted a contract position, was actually offered one but declined it in hopes for a job that had more hours and was in a better location. So, due to my pickiness, I ended up as a supply teacher. But, as you'll see later, it worked out for the best.

Myth #2: Supply teachers have to deal with difficult students all the time

It's true that students will not be on their best behaviour when they find out that they're going to have a supply teacher for the day. However, I've noticed that most groups of difficult kids are also difficult for their regular teacher. And, at the school board I work for, I can pick and choose which schools I want to or don't want to work at…ever again. Fortunately, most students I've worked with have been pretty well-behaved as far as kids go.

Myth #3: Supply teachers can't earn enough to survive

Well, this myth is partly true. The amount of call-ins you get for supply jobs depends on where you live. I'm fortunate to be working in a big city where there are plenty of schools to keep me fairly busy. I don't get calls to work every day but so far it's been enough to prevent me from going back to dial-up internet. Thank goodness!

Myth #4: You need a car to get supply work

So far I've managed to avoid buying or renting a car. Of course, it would make travelling to and from various jobs easier, but with careful planning, I've been able to make the public transit thing work. Again, this is more feasible in a big city.

Myth #5: Supply teachers are not required to possess a teaching certificate

You will find that due to stiff competition and strict regulations, most school boards will only hire individuals who have a teaching certificate.


Well…I can't think of any more myths for now. If you can think of any, please let me know.

A new beginning...

I'm a new supply teacher, fresh out of teacher's college, learning about the joys and rigours of teaching each day I step into the classroom. With this blog, I intend to document my teaching experiences, and what I've learned along the way as I take my first steps in this profession.

Note: I use the term "supply teacher" because it's nice and short and it's most commonly used where I live. However, I may use it interchangeably with "substitute teacher" or "occasional teacher".