Mercenary

For the last two and a half months, I've been working pretty much full time as a substitute teacher. I worked for about three and a half weeks as a math teacher at Scary West Side High School, only the very first part of which I've written about previously. Yes, I know I promised more on that, loyal readers, and I'm sorry. I'll get to it when/if I can. Let me just say that the next chapter in that saga involved spending my planning period filling out a police report after breaking up a fight between to young women. That's right, a girl fight, during which I was struck (not seriously) by one of the participants. Fun.

Anyway, that teacher come back from his military assignment—and none too soon!—and I moved on to another long-term project. Starting the last week in September, I taught pre-algebra and algebra at a Not-So-Scary West Side Junior High School. Sure, there have been some behavior issues with some of the students—mostly in the 4th and 5th period classes—but I never had to talk to a police detective about any of them. And unlike the SWSHS assignment, I was in at least weekly contact with the regular teacher. Not bad, all things considered.

So my long-term assignment at NSSWSJHS come to an end last Wednesday when the regular teacher got medical clearance to return to school. I took Thursday and Friday off and enjoyed a well-deserved four-day weekend. But that's not the end of the story. About two weeks ago I was leaving school when I remembered something I neglected to get from the classroom. So I went back in and picked it up. On my way back out I saw one of my 3rd period students (3rd period was my favorite class, with 7th period a very close second) and said 'Hi'. He was in one of the other teachers' classrooms, so I came in and talked with him, another student, and the teacher, Ms. L. In this conversation, Ms. L asked what my plans were once Mrs. B got back, whether I was going to keep teaching, etc. I told her I'd be working on my M.A. program as well as substituting as much as the workload allowed me to do. To this she replied, "You know, I'm going to be out for a couple of days the week after next, would you be available? What's your sub number?" Long story short, I covered for her class today and am doing so again tomorrow.

Now, during the day today I was talking to the teacher who runs the computer lab across the hall. She mentioned that she needed to schedule a doctor's appointment for sometime in the next few days and asked if I'd be available. I told her my schedule for the week. Sure enough, during 7th period, one of her students come into my class with a note asking if I could cover for her on Wednesday. So this week's stay at NSSWSJHS has been extended another day.

I also got a call from a teacher at the District Technical High School a week or so ago. She said she needed someone to cover her classes for the 14th and 16th. I called her back and told her I was already committed for the 14th but could do the 16th with no problems. So she signed me up. Now I've got four days' worth of work this week, without really having to look for any of them. I guess my name is getting out there.

(To help that process along, I've decided to design some business cards that I can leave with some of the schools—especially some of the schools closer to my house—listing my contact information and emphasizing that I can teach math and science. I was going to go buy some blank business card sheets for inkjet/laser printers at an office supply store to do this. Then, on mentioning this idea to Nancy, she told me she already has some. Huzzah!)

Finally, while I was on the phone with my Mother this evening, another call rang through. I didn't answer it, but the caller left a message. It was someone from the DTHS, wanting to know if I could cover for her on Friday and Monday. By the time I called her back she had found someone else to take those days, but she said she had a couple of days she needed to have covered in December. Combined with three days I'm working at the same school the week before Christmas (sadly, the teacher is going to be in the Caribbean and unable to teach that week), I now have five days scheduled for next month, too.

So it appears that I'm rapidly becoming an educational gun-for-hire. Have chalk, will travel, that sort of thing. And do you know what the very best part of all of this is?

I haven't set foot in the call center in well over a month.