Stuff That Makes My Job Easier

It's my third year of my teaching career, and I've been working as a supply teacher for over a year now. This means I've been in several different schools and classrooms, and have covered classes for the many different streams (including Life Skills). Earlier this week while covering for two different special education teachers that were very prepared for my arrival, I got to thinking about all of the things a supply appreciates when preparing to supervise a bunch of students they've (possibly) never seen before.

In the lists below "you" refers to the regular teacher I am covering for. 

Stuff We Like:

1. A list of class rules.
   This helps me make decisions that are consistent with what would normally occur in the classroom on a regular day. I don't want chaos to ensue in your absence, or for you to be angry because of a decision I made in your absence that clashes with your style/preferences.
   
2. Handouts and equipment ready-to-go when we arrive, and detailed instructions on where to find needed supplies/equipment if it cannot be set aside for me.
   I may have very little time to familiarize myself with the school and the plan the regular teacher has left, which could make things such as photocopying handouts while managing to arrive to class on time difficult/impossible. In the case of unexpected illness, it may be difficult for the teacher to prepare things in advance, but usually another teacher in your department would be willing to lend a hand with this if you contact them with the request. Unless you've managed to get on the other teachers' bad side. Then, I feel sorry for you.
   
3. An extra copy of the attendance list and a copy of the seating plan (with students' pictures if possible).
   The attendance list usually leaves the classroom at some point during the period, so having an extra list to help keep track of who is who is very useful. A few teachers have actually left me seating plans that included students' pictures, which has been awesome. It makes it so much easier for me to identify any students that I had issues with, or to let you know about any kids who were absolutely wonderful (I actually do this - I like to give credit where it is due).
   
4. Important student information.
   Some students have special needs, and can be very sensitive to changes in routine.
   I need to know about them! When it comes down to the possibility of being hit, bitten, or having a student flee the classroom, it's best if I know how to avoid such situations, and how best to deal with them should they occur. If you don't have students with IEPs or safety plans, but just a kid that may be difficult or argumentative, it is also a good idea to warn me. I really don't want to trigger an aggressive incident, and would like to carefully pick my battles, so knowing in advance that a particular student may overreact to confrontation/intervention is very helpful.

Stuff we don't like:

1. When you leave a test.
   Many students, for some reason, are under the impression that a supply teachers are all blind/deaf/stupid. I'm sure some are, but most of us are competent. But because of this belief students hold, they often try to pull stuff during tests they wouldn't normally do if you were present. It's just a hassle for  me to deal with, can cause ugly confrontations and is especially frustrating because it is difficult for us to dole out a consequence you would find appropriate (because I don't necessarily know what YOU would do in that situation). Do us all a favour and postpone the test. Your students will appreciate the extra time to study, I will appreciate a hassle-free day.
   
2. When instructions are unclear/barely existent.
   Make it easy for me to understand what you want me to do! I want to be able to find the work you have left, and have your students complete it. Otherwise they get crazy!
   
3. When you expect us to teach a lesson to a class that doesn't even listen to YOU.
   Usually teachers will just leave work for students to complete, and I'll supervise and assist whenever possible. I actually prefer to work with students - I'm not the type of supply that just sits at the teacher's desk and does nothing. If you leave me a lesson to teach for a class that will be cooperative, I am very happy to teach the lesson. If you leave me a lesson to teach for a class that barely listens on a regular day, who are you trying to kid? You know they won't learn a thing, and I'll spend the time trying to quiet the class down after every sentence I speak. It's really a waste of everyone's time.

So, there you have it. If you are a regular teacher, I hope you consider some of the above the next time you are planning for an absence. If you are a supply, I'm sure you sympathize with me. And if you are a teacher candidate, you have been warned. This is likely what  you'll be facing the first couple years of your career.

I Love it When We're All on the Same Page

So for the last year or two, God has really put a lot of things on my heart. Some of them have been about reaching out to youth/young adults in difficult situations, and showing them Christ's love. I'm a very analytical person, which sometimes leads to me being judgmental, or being quick to draw conclusions without all the facts. Many times, after arriving to the wrong conclusion about somebody, I've been given the chance to get to know them better and realize the conclusions I'd jumped to were  wrong or seriously unfair. I'm grateful for these opportunities to remind myself "Judge ye not lest ye be judged", and as a result I have found myself wanting to minister to groups of people that I feel often get judged, generalized, and looked down upon. The cool thing is that a lot of the people around me have been feeling the same way, and have done things about it. I love that.

See, while I really want to make a difference in others' lives, sometimes I'm not quite sure how to go about it. What is awesome is that lately I've taken notice that when God has been stirring something in my heart, he's been doing the same with the people around me. And some of these people have the experience, creativity or means to get involved or make a difference, which are things that I don't possess in relation to the situation. It's an awesome feeling when you can get together with a friend, and together accomplish something good.

I'm not as bold as I'd like to be. I can be very self-conscious, and sometimes I am afraid of taking initiative with certain things for fear of public failure. I generally like to keep my failures to myself. I'm starting to realize that when I'm not successful, I need to learn from the situation rather than quit or beat myself up about it. And I need to resist the fear of trying again, because the only way I'll have any measure of success is by perseverance. But God, in His wisdom, has been gracious enough to surround me with friends that share my interests and concerns. He's given me a group of people that I can minister alongside, so that when one of us feels weak the others can hold them up with our strengths. There is less fear in something when you have someone beside you who is cheering for you to succeed, and who is experiencing the same things you are. I'm excited for the things to come, as I'll be able to grow in some of my abilities and put my giftings to good use.

If anyone is reading this, I just want to encourage you to really share the things you feel God placing in your heart, and the dreams and goals you have. It's very likely that you'll encounter people that share your passions and as a result get opportunities to do great things. God gives us friends not just to make us feel good, but to make up for the things we lack and to support us in our endeavours.

Pi Day and March Break

Pi day and the first day of March break coincided, making this one extra special! I'll be honest; although I've enjoyed math for a long time, I had not actually heard about pi day until my fourth year of university. for those that do not know what Pi Day is, I will explain. The constant pi (represented by the symbol π) represents the constant value you get by dividing the circumference of any circle by its own diameter. The value, rounded to two decimal places, is 3.14. March 14 is 3/14. Hence, Pi Day (Yay!).

Upon learning about Pi Day, I was excited about an excuse to pig out on pie and other round yummy foods, and share my nerdiness with friends and family. My sister and I celebrated this year. She mocks me for it, but does not hesitate to enjoy the pi. We had breakfast pi, and then s'mores pie later in the day. For my husband, I made apple pie (for the first time ever - and it was pretty good according to him). You probably don't care much about my adventures with pie, but, maybe a few poor quality pictures of my endeavours will charm you so much you'll want to lavish me with pie on March 14 next year? I can always dream.

Breakfast Pie - hashbrowns on the bottom, with scrambled eggs and bacon. Yum!

S'mores Pie - Graham cracker crust, milk chocolate filling and marshmallow fluff on top  :)

Apple Pie - The filling

Apple Pie with Top Crust

Apple Pie - Final Product

Radical Acts of Kindness - My Personal Challenge

There's a lot of stuff that's been going on lately - not just in my personal life but globally. Protests, natural disasters, crime, poverty, disease - lots of terrible things. I was reading posts about Japan, and I greatly appreciate how so many people care and are praying for those devastated by the earthquake and tsunami. It got me thinking about what I can do personally to help.

Sometimes when I see terrible things happening to others, I feel guilty about the time I spend on things I like, or focusing on my own happiness when others are miserable. I want to do more than just give money, or pray. Those are good things to do, but I want to actively help - actually DO something. I have no idea where to start, but I'm going to keep an eye out for opportunities (and any ideas you may have are welcome! Please share!).

I realized this - it is not bad for me to spend time on things that I enjoy, or to do things that make me happy. But when my focus is entirely on MY happiness, that is a problem. I need to daily take time to do things for others, things that will enrich their lives. I need to take my focus off of myself, and take time to put the needs of others before my own. I need to live more selflessly. It's a tough challenge, but I think I'm up for it. I've always tried to be polite, and act in kindness toward others, but I want to kick it up a notch. I don't want to do random acts of kindness - I INTEND to do these acts, and I want them to be RADICAL acts of kindness. I want to give in a way that is more extreme than what I've been doing, in a way that is sacrificial on my part. And I pray that more and more people will take it upon themselves to do the same - imagine the impact that would have!!!

I'm editing you!

So, um, I'm such a dork. I edit posts I read on facebook, twitter or blogs. I correct grammar, spelling and punctuation. I specifically think through the rules taught to me all through elementary and secondary school. Frequently, I become impressed with myself for recalling these rules so well.

Often, I am appalled at how poorly many people spell. It drives me nuts when I come across a run-on sentence that is 3 lines long and completely lacking punctuation. The punctuation issues especially bothers me, because without punctuation your statement or phrase can be interpreted (or misinterpreted) several ways. I prefer not to have to read what someone has written four or five times to make sure I've understood the intended message. I suppose I could just ignore such posts, which is technically possible, except I am a freak and I cannot just move on once I've come across it. I must decode the message!

Anyway, it scares me that high school students don't know/use the simple rules taught to them in elementary school. When a college or university student/grad cannot spell simple words (and I'm not talking about typos - I'm referring to misspelling) or cannot use the correct word from a group of homophones, I become very worried. It especially bothers me when the post-secondary educated person is majoring in English. It makes me livid!

Rules of spelling and grammar were not created by uptight people that want to control your life. They exist so that everyone can understand each other clearly. So please, try harder. The challenge is good for your brain, and it will give me peace of mind.

P.S. I know how dorky I am. No need to remind me in the comments!

P.P.S. I was extra careful in editing this post - I don't want to be caught making the same errors that bother me! You will be rewarded bonus points for finding errors and correctly identifying which rule is broken (or correct spelling if that is the case).

Walmart, I think you can do better!

So, as many of you know, in Toronto you must pay $0.05 per plastic bag in stores. This initiative is intended to cut down on the waste created by all those plastic bags that get thrown in the trash. Stores in other parts of the GTA have gotten in on the act too, and I have a lot of respect for it. I'm even getting better at remembering to bring my re-usable bags to stores, and I find future uses for plastic bags, because I don't like creating more garbage for our landfills than necessary.

So, a couple of days ago I was at Walmart and I bought a few items. I really only needed one bag (and would have had room to spare), yet I was given two. And I realized that whenever I visit Walmart and purchase more than a couple of small items, I'm given more bags than needed. And it bugs me!

First of all, it's just wasteful. While others are trying to reduce the waste created by these plastic bags, Walmart is throwing them away left, right and centre. Secondly, I don't like carrying a bunch of bags. It's more handles to hang on to. I often throw one bag inside the other, but still. It's just dumb.

So, Walmart, send your employees the message that it is OK to take advantage of the full capacity of each of your bags. I'm pretty sure your customers won't mind!