Phil Penne Creations

#36 - The Substitute Teacher

 

 

        “I still can’t believe this!” your friend chides. “Six years of college, a master’s degree in education and all you’re going to be is a substitute? You’re crazy!” 

        “Hey, it’s just temporary until I can get a full time teaching position”, you reassure. “Besides, somebody’s got to be a substitute – might just as well be me. It’ll give me a chance to get my feet wet before I dive in.” 

        “Yeah, but District 14? Your first teaching gig out of college and you’re going straight to District 14? That’s the armpit of the universe – that’s where you go after you teach for twenty years, burn out, and don’t give a crap anymore. The kids there are criminals. You’re going to wind up raped and dead inside of six months.” 

        You don’t really have an argument for that. She’s right – more teachers have been beaten up, had their cars vandalized, or just gotten frustrated at the kid’s lack of motivation in this district than in any other. But you’re doing it anyway: something inside you says this is going to work, and that you’ll be able to get through to the students. 

        From the street, Templeton looks more like a Third World nation ravaged by civil war than a high school. A rusted chain-link fence surrounds the perimeter, in the hope of keeping students in and drug dealers out. Graffiti covers the walls and broken bottles litter the grounds; outside the gate, hookers patrol the sidewalks in broad daylight... 

 

 

 

 

Different teachers get the job done in different ways. Students hate some teachers and love others, and learn from some more than others. 

 

You're bringing something different to the job. ​​​​​​​​​​