I'd Like To See You Try It

Well, I have to say Friday was one of the more interesting days I've had in a long time. Unfortunately, it was not interesting in the fun way, but rather the I-want-to-tear-my-hair-out way.

All week I've know that the school was having their jogathon on Friday. Basically, all the kids collect pledges and then at a point during the day their class goes out to the track and runs/jogs/walks laps to raise money. The money goes to buy new equipment or supplies for the school. The teacher I was subbing for wrote me a brief note about this, which I did not read carefully enough to realize that it actually didn't say what it seemed like it was saying. You see, I thought my class was supposed to go during their PE time at 2:30. I had planned for this all week, even mentioned it to other teachers and they nor I never realize that I was in fact mistaken - my class was scheduled to go at 1:30. So I'm going obliviously along with my day, when at around 1:33 the office calls and says they are waiting for us for the jogathon. So I had to pass out their lap recording card/bracelets as fast as humanly possible, and get them up to the track - which is the farthest away thing from our room and still on school grounds. So we race up there and arrive around 1:38 or something. One of the parent volunteers I met that morning was really sweet and actually apologized to me for not coming down to make sure we knew the time. I told her I felt bad we were late, and she and the PE teacher (who was running the show) both told me it was not a big deal, that they only missed maybe 5 minutes.

When the kids' time is up, they get to go over to the covered area and get a water bottle and ice cream bar. I'm walking along with them, collecting bracelets and showing them where to go. At this point a woman comes up to me and introduces herself to me as the mother of one of the children in my class. She then says, "I just wanted to let you know that I'm very disappointed in you. And I hope you do a better job in the future." She's even smiling at me like she's giving me some great helpful piece of advise. I almost laughed because I thought she was teasing me. Then I realized that no, she was completely serious and completely MAD at me. I was so shocked I think I said "What?" or something and then she reiterated the same statements adding things like, "This was really important to the students and because of you they've missed out. You were incredibly late and I just really hope you work harder to do a better job next time." I couldn't believe it! And again, she saying this in such a condescending tone like she's the Pope and I'm the spider crawling on her robes. And the whole time she's looking at me like she expects me to get on my knees and grovel. I tell you, it took every shred of self-control that I have to respond to her politely.

I told her that I was sorry that she was upset, and that I apologized for being late, that it was a miscommunication and I didn't realize I had the wrong time. I then stated that there was nothing I can do about it now, and that the PEOPLE IN CHARGE said that it wasn't going to make that much of a difference.

This was not an acceptable answers to her.

She then said that yes, in fact it was a big deal, and that I just need to do a better job in the future. (She liked that phrase). I told apologized again and reminded her that I was the substitute, I'd only been here for a week, today was my last day, sometimes things like this just happen, and I'm doing the best that I can and then I pretty much walked away.

Oh, I was so mad. I had a fake smile plastered on my face the whole rest of the time out there to avoid scowling.

I still can't believe that people think it's okay to talk to other people like that. I almost wish she would read this blog and realize that my job is a heck of a lot harder than a lot of people's. Every day I walk into the unknown. A new school, and new group of kids, new assistants, new administrators, you name it. Some days you find that the plans left for you are insufficient or non-existent. Often, you deal with children that receive no love, or discipline, or structure, or guidance, or accountability at home. It is my constant challenge to gain respect, cooperation, and understanding from children, and to teach them how to give and receive the same from their peers. I have to be ready to teach anything at a moment's notice. I have to accept that often I will be asked to teach the more "boring" subjects all day. I have to learn the floor plans of 40+ elementary schools so I know where to take them to PE and where to pick them up from recess. I have to be willing to change my plans to fit other's schedules. I have to be ready for the unexpected. I have to adapt to a completely new scenario EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

So if you have kids and ever feel like their teacher has somehow "wronged" your child. Please, take a minute and put yourself in that teachers shoes. Chances are, if you're honest, you might find we all just need to be a little more understanding.