I've been subbing again for a few years now. I originally wanted to use subbing as a way to ease back into the classroom and catch up on all the new trends in education. As a result, I've learned a lot about what's big and gained a lot of tips for how to do things. And, my desire to have my own classroom again has only gotten stronger.
So, as I started this school year, I decided that this was going to be the year that things started to change for me and my career. I'm not content with just being the sub anymore. I started the year with a motto in mind and every day, I tried to live up to that motto at work.
Now, I admit it doesn't hurt that the school district has a shortage of subs this year, but I've been so busy this year, that I've worked nearly every day of school. I've mostly been at 2 of the elementary schools, which are my 2 favorite schools to work at and I'd gladly take a position at either one. Teachers have even joked that they should just hire me. And I've been requested by several teachers because they know I will get stuff done and I know what I'm doing. (Sadly, the same cannot be said for some of the other substitutes. Oh, the stories I've heard!)
A few weeks ago, I was subbing at E School when I had a chance to talk to one of the kindergarten teachers while our classes were using the restroom. This teacher just so happens to be pregnant and due in the spring. We got to talking about subbing and she asked if I did long-term jobs. I had to bite my tongue not to scream, "Yes!" She asked if I would be interested in doing her maternity leave as she knew I would be great at it. Again, I had to bite my tongue not to scream, "Yes!" She said she would talk to the principal about it and I left blissfully happy that I might be able to do a long-term job.
In the interim, I freaked out about resumes and applications. Turns out, this was unnecessary, but at least I got my resume cleaned up for when it's time to apply for jobs.
A couple weeks later, I was again subbing at E School when W School (the other school I'm frequently at) called and asked me to give them a call when I had a chance. I was on pins and needles about that call. Why in the world were they calling me during the school day? And why aren't they going through the sub scheduler?
Finally, I got a chance to call and talk to the secretary. Would I be interested in doing some long-term subbing for them? It's a good thing I was on the phone because I'm sure I had the goofiest grin on my face. Why yes, yes I would be interested!
I picked up a medical leave immediately after winter break and they asked if I would be interested in doing a maternity leave for them. Well ... I said that I would have to get back to them on that one because E School had already expressed an interest in me doing a maternity leave for them and the two leaves overlapped.
I went to the kindergarten teacher at E School and told her that W School had asked me to do their maternity leave. She went to her principal after school and got him to approve me for her leave and then called me to let me know. I danced around our living room while my husband stared at me.
The school board should have approved everything last week and now I'm nearly set for the last 5 months of school. I'm doing at least 1 week, maybe 2 of 2nd grade at W School starting next week. Then, I'll have 2 months of random subbing and then it'll be 9 weeks of kindergarten. I'm so excited to have the opportunities and cannot wait to be teaching full-time in one of my favorite grades.
And of course, I'll still be following my motto! Hopefully, this will lead to even better and bigger things! I promise I'll try to do a better job of keeping you updated as things progress.
