A Letter

Dear school principals,

You are needed, valuable and put in many roles. I can say that I have been blessed to have worked for 3 amazing principals- 2 in Uganda and 1 at OV. The main thing that made them great was their willingness to be seen. They were always with the kids, in classrooms, talking with teachers and overall just great leaders because of it. So now that is what I look for in a great school. If you have substitutes in your building and you have not met them or personally said thank you or offered assistance, then you have done a disservice to your school. I know that you have meetings and are overworked, but if I as a substitute don’t see you, then do your teachers see you? Do your students see you? What about the parents?

Teachers, it is such a pain to take a day off whether scheduled or not, I totally get it. To top it off you know your kids (no matter how angelic for you) will not be that great for a sub. They are not yet to that point in life where they can make rational decisions. (at least not when you change their routine) Your sub-plans need to have seating charts, name pronunciation, behavior plans and other random things that these kids will lie about to get to do something they want to do. I know it is already a pain, but simply do most of this from day 1 and then please, I beg of you update it! Kids hate sub day or they love sub days because it either means freedom or restriction; give me a balance so we are not the bad guy who doesn’t let them have fun Friday, computer time, or a special seating chart. If it works consistently with you then keep it consistent. They don’t need more things changed, when they already have to adapt to a different teacher. With all that said do not introduce a new unit (if possible), provide ways that we can help your students by giving answer guides or tips into how you teach things. Most of all give us grace, we are doing our best and we are not intentionally screwing up your plans, room, kids etc.

To myself and other subs, the kids are not out to get you (ok well most of them). These are kids, I repeat, they are kids. They have a routine and a schedule and they do not do well with change. Try to connect, be firm but don’t try to be their teacher (you will never do it the same). Find your own way to calm them down, a way to get their attention and to teach. Your goal is to teach them something, anything (oh and keep them alive). Do your best to follow the teacher’s plans but realize, weird things happen and kids don’t always cooperate or get it. DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONAL, you will have good groups and hard groups and most of the time it won’t be about you, but about them (the kids).

All other staff in the building; SMILE, give the benefit of the doubt, help where needed. One thing that I have noticed is that the staff (lunch) room is a scary place for subs and when you sit at your “normal” table and have your time to get away, they have no one to talk to. They have just had a morning of taking care of a group of kids that they may or may not know. It would make them feel better if you said hello, invited them to join you, asked them how their morning went, inquired about them, really just saw them. The reason I say this is that all too often I have seen and been the recipient of feeling unwelcome. Frankly, if you want a sub someday you might try and acknowledge their existence in your building.

Sincerely,

A full-time substitute teacher, former classroom teacher, and (hopefully) future classroom teacher

Two or three places at once

Do you ever wish you could be two places at once or maybe more? If you have ever lived more than one place your entire life you may have had that feeling. A year ago our family took a little Christmas break in America and I was put on a medicine to help with my anxiety. I had been crying at the drop of a hat and going through a lot of stress and grief. The medicine helped, kind of, it helped me to not be so emotional, but it also covered them up. My panic attacks lessened, but what was causing them actually increased. I was back in Uganda surrounded by people I loved, but missing my friends and family in America. I was also being attacked, my family was being attacked, the ministry we started was being attacked and life was hard. It was in that turmoil that I found such deep friendship. People who got it and knew what I was going through. I didn’t want to leave these people, but I also knew we needed to leave.

The time came and I had to give up things I loved, to save the things I loved. My family needed to go to a safe place, our ministry needed us to leave for it to sustain and thrive. The good news I was going “home” to be with family and friends. For a short time we got to see friends and family and then it was time to settle into a new life and routine. This new life came at a price, we now had no one that was near us. We didn’t have friends or family and I was so confused at what God was trying to teach us as life without people is lonely. I knew I would need to rely on Him to make it through.

We got our new jobs, new church, new house, new school; it was all new. I found myself missing the old even though it wasn’t always great, actually, it was downright hard. We are now in a new year, a new decade and as much as I long to be in two or three places at once, I know that God has great things ahead. How do I know this? I know this because even though I miss so many things, I am excited for where He is leading me. I have a life ahead of me that doesn’t need to be filled with worry or sadness. I need to be focused on how my life now and every day is a blessing and can be a blessing where ever I am and with whomever I encounter. I know that I will eventually make new friends, colleagues, and a church family. I also know that I will always have family and friends, even if they are in different states, countries and continents. I am thankful that God has given me the opportunities to meet so many amazing people and I look forward to meeting many more.

If you are in a season of loneliness like I am I pray that you use this quiet time in your life to draw closer to the one who will never leave you nor forsake you. God has been with me through it all and no matter where I live, he never leaves. How amazing!

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”