The Final Score

Not that I've really been keeping score, or even knowing how you would score substituting.  Either way, I'm counting this year as a win!  I successfully finished student teaching with an absolutely wonderful group of ninth graders.  I'm so thankful I've been able to return back to "my" classroom several times as a sub, for more reasons than knowing kids names for one day of a crazy week.  Tomorrow I get to finished my year with a half day back in my old classroom.  I think they're having some sort of field day, so it could get a little crazy.

Here are some other ways I think I've won:

1. Nobody broke an arm, bled profusely, or died while I was working!  I count that as a major win.
2. I was able to find work for almost every day I wanted to work.  I think I only had 5 or 6 days for the whole half of the year that I didn't work when I was trying to find a job.
3. I figured out how to use the Aesop substitute system (the online job finder).  The last two months of work I had almost exclusively full days of work.
4.  I found the teachers lounge almost every day! (I only didn't find it one day, and I don't think it was a half day without lunch anyway.)
5. I found creative and effective ways to deal with discipline issues.
6.  I made creative lesson plans for dead time/sub plans-gone-amuck days.

I'm sure there were many other wins throughout the semester, I'm mostly just happy to have survived.  Over the last five months I've worked at 27 of the 37 schools in the district (i'm hoping to make it to the other 10!)

And now, some advice for future subs:

1. If you need the money, don't be picky with the jobs.  I've worked everything from special education preschool to AP Calculus.  Although some of the jobs I've had were most definitely horrific, I always figure I can do anything for 7 hours!  Most teachers are pretty considerate in their lesson planning (some a little too considerate)
2. Bring a book, knitting, or SOMETHING to occupy your down time.  You will have it.  Most teachers don't give you grading or copying to do during breaks or prep periods.
3.  If you want to do any actual teaching, you'll probably have to sub for elementary school.  The majority of my secondary sub jobs were supervising projects that I didn't really know what they were doing or any of the requirements, AV technician for videos, or study hall monitor.  Elementary teachers have to teach several different subjects a day, which usually includes at least some direct instruction.
4.  Keep track of the teacher's you don't want to work for.  Those are the teachers you'll probably see a lot on the sub system.

Finally, my goals for the next year:

1. Teach at the last 10 buildings I haven't been to.
2. Network more so I'm requested for more jobs.
3. Learn more about discipline.
4. Enjoy my summer before I start this whole thing over again!

I've enjoyed this year.  It's been incredibly difficult, but also incredibly wonderful in so many ways.  I'm glad I survived the year.  And more importantly, all my students survived the year too!