Subbed At Tiny School Yesterday

[ProfessorGAC]

Unusually busy week, for me. Jr Hi science Mon/Wed, HS Physics Tuesday, then yesterday was 7/8 science AM, and Social Studies PM.
Tues & Wed were last minute things, cuz 4 day weeks aren't consistent with my idea of retirement! But, they were desperate.
Anyway, the Monday and Wednesday things were at a school that's just 7th & 8th grade. 965 kids! 482 8th graders and 483 7th graders.
Yesterday, I saw 29 kids! 16 7th graders and 13 8th graders.
It was a nice environment and the hallways between classes were most peaceful!
They asked if I'd come back and I said sure. (Only 13 miles from my house.)
Turns out, male subs are hard to come by and the schools find us valuable. That's why, during non-golf season, I do 2 or 3 days a week, but get 8 to 10 calls each week.
Holiday next week, so I get a vacation too.
Weird to think of a week as vacation now that I'm retired!

[Freddie]

1. I admire you

Up til my recent retirement I was the payroll admin for a school district. Subs are hard to find and vastly underpaid! Especially those willing to teach all ages and subjects.
What my distract has been doing a lot lately is having the Teaching Assistants serve as classroom subs (a little more $) and then hiring subs for the TAs, which is easier because they don’t need bachelors degrees.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. I Don't Do All Ages

I'm not right for really little kids. Mostly HS and Jr Hi, but have done 5th twice. That's my lower limit.
Also, because my wife did Special Ed, I know I'm not the right personality type to do that.
And I won't do PE, because I want to help kids learn, not watch them play kickball or something.
But, I do enjoy the helping thing.
Thanks for the positive feedback.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. I Wasn't A Teacher

That was my wife's thing.
I'm a retired scientist, hence the # of times I sub science & math.
Funny bit: wife says as I'm nearing retirement, "You don't want to sit around all winter watching ESPN.". Of course, I'm thinking " Well...."
Then it occurs to me that what she's really saying is that SHE doesn't want me sitting around all winter watching ESPN!
So, I got my license!
But, she was 100% correct. This is more valuable.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. Just A Guitar Teacher

Both out of a small local music store and my rec room.
Haven't done that for several years.
But, now that you've brought that up...

[mopinko]

3. sounds like a great gig.

i bet it's fun.
i would love sharing science w kids that age.

so i guess this means you are feeling well, yes? hope so. so much exciting med news out there these days.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. I'm Fine, Mo!

Haven't felt a thing from the MS in 18+ years. Feet still burn, but just background noise now.
How are you doing?

[mopinko]

10. so very good to hear.

i am doing surprisingly well, considering what a shitty year my farm had. again.

i was recently adopted by a tribe of crazy people, and it looks like my adventures are not over for this life. rly. burners. old hippies. so many giggles.

gonna get more of a running start on the farm this year. invested in some equipment over the last couple years that will let me do more under lights.
got a ton of winter work, too. i basically had a slow motion flood here this spring. not only a lot of rain, but the water table is practically at the surface here. it is super sandy here, and drainage was the opposite of the problem i thought i would ever have. srsly, changed the biota. 30 yo grapevine gave it up. 25 yo magnolia hanging on by it's toenails.

these early snows are taxing little fruit trees that already had a shit year.
might just buy myself a fancy pair of pruners for an early xmas present. it's a mess out there.

good to see you around, old friend. we should get together some time.

[d_r]

9. My daughter's middle

School has about 60 per grade. I think youth really benefit from smaller schools. I think it is a mistake that we are consolidating so many schools into mega schools to save some overhead money.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. A Fair Point, Indeed

But I will say the student achievement level at that huge Jr Hi appears pretty solid.
I'm not there often enough to have a completely informed opinion, just an impression.