Where to Start...

The past few weeks have been very busy and eventful. So, here we go...

~Last Monday I subbed at a Junior High (which I've been doing a lot of and am really enjoying it!) and the teacher next door asked me if I could sub for her that following Friday. Long story short, she had not booked me in the system yet (by Thursday at 11pm) and I called her 3 times and left messages on Thursday, wanting her to contact me to let me know if she still needed me or not. Anyway, I didn't end up hearing from her and I contemplated not coming in, but decided to anyway in case she still needed me.
When I got there at 7:55am, the secretaries(yes, there were two...)had no idea what was going on (you'd think with two, one would atleast know what the hell was going on) and didn't know if she needed me or not. So they sent me home. At about 9:15am I got an angry call from Edmonton Public Schools asking me why I did not show up at the school and that I was supposed to be there for this teacher.
Enraged, I drove back to the school, went to her class and there she was. She said, in front of all the kids, "Great, our sub is FINALLY here." I kindly brought her into the hallway and asked her why she didn't call me- that I tried to call her all those times! Also, I had just met her- it's protocol to communicate to substitute teachers ESPECIALLY when you just met them! Anyway, I went out of my way to go to this school, whom I had no personal ties to, called this teacher several times... and all I got was- "I guess I should have called you back."
Needless to say, I was not a very happy substitute. I had never hated being a substitute as I did at this very moment. And with this, I will rant...

~I feel very lucky to even be on the Edmonton Public Schools supply list (there were over 500 cut from the list this year), but there are a ton of things that I cannot stand about being a sub...

1. The inconsistency of everything- when, where and if you'll even be working on which day... am or pm, full day or half??

2. The pressure and stress of having to prove yourself everytime you walk into that classroom.

3. Setting expectations and using behaviour management, while putting on a brave, stern face and hoping that you can just through this one day. You pray that these kids don't see just how nervous you are and take advantage of it.

4. Being treated like crap by schools. At almost every school that I have been to, not one person has asked me what my name is or has even said hello. Teachers preach about inclusion and respect to their students, but yet they won't even acknowledge or speak to a guest in their school. Do they not remember what it was like to be a new teacher??

5. Getting attached to some great kids and realizing, that this is only temporary.

BUT there are a few things I don't mind about being a sub...

1. It pays quite well... if you are WORKING, that is.
2. Having the opportunity to get to know so many kids, in such little time.
3. Having the chance to just teach- to practice what I hope to be doing sometime on a consistent basis. Someday.
4. Learning- everyday is different and sometimes I like having the chance to teach a grade 8 English class one day and a grade 2 class on another.

ANYWAY, this has turned into a bit more than a rant, so let's get back to the update...

~I am going to be teaching a Mom and Tot's group at Summerside Beach Club (an actual beach in the city in a semi-closed community. I know, it sounds a bit ridiculous) starting in January. Lucas and I used to go to these sorts of groups when he was younger, but they didn't really offer much. My goal is to have a variety of things to do for both mom and baby.

~The whole family is sick in some way. I have an eye and nose infection, while Dan and Lucas both have a nasty cough and cold. I feel like I'm getting their cold too. So it's been kind of somber in the Spandoza house these past few days!

~Dan is off to Regina for work for a couple of days. I hope I'm feeling a hundred percent by then!! I know Dan has to travel for work sometimes, but it's never easy.

~Last week Lucas had picture day at the daycare, but had to be sent home early because he had a fever (hence the cold and cough).

Other than that, things have been good. We've been keeping busy and can't believe that October is halfway done! Lately, it has been feeling like fall, which is kind of cozy. Hope the weather is being nice to you too, wherever you are...