Miss. Clarendon

I started substitute teaching about a month ago and it has been interesting. My first day ever subbing I was placed in a 6th grade class in Rialto. I didn't know what to expect and I was excited but nervous to try and handle 6th graders.

I felt funny when I wrote my name on the board for the first time so I took a picture of it. :)



Right before I reached my classroom, the partner teacher informed me that this class was horrible and instructed me not to smile, be nice or give them an inch or they will walk right over me. So, I stood at the door with a serious face and for those of you who know me, that is hard to do. I was strick, firm and not friendly but it didn't work. They were crazy and obviously had no respect for me. It also didn't help that they kept calling me Taylor Swift and Ke$ha.(I don't see it)


Who is going to be afraid of a young blonde girl who is trying not to smile? I survived the first day but was exhausted.

This was a 2 day sub job so I was to return the next day and the teacher was shocked that I came back. Apparently subs in the past have not returned for a second round with these kids. The second day was just as bad if not worse. They were loud, ignored my commands, would not stay in their seat, asked to use the restroom ever 30 seconds and to top it off, they threw paper at me when I turned my back for 2 seconds to write on the board. This made me mad and I was thrilled when those 2 days were over.


I also did 1st grade which I thought would be fun but they were just as loud, they told on each other and would not listen when I was trying to actually teach them something. God gave me a bit of encouragement though when a little girl gave me an apple. It was very sweet. She also forgot her lunch though so I gave it back to her later in thee day.

Right now I prefer to sub in high schools because they listen to you for the most part and there is no teaching involved, just monitoring while they do their seat work. The only issue is they always ask me how old I am and the guys ask if I would ever want to date a high schooler.

Overall, I have gotten great at giving, "The Look". All I do is walk over to the student, cross my arms and stare at them. This usually works with the older students. I also find my self saying, "Really? you are really going to talk after I just told you not too?" or throwing up my arms and saying, "Seriously?"

There have been classes where I have been able to have fun with the students and joke around with them. This makes it fun and I enjoy the kids a lot more when I can be nice to them. :)

I also have subbed at Eisenhower High School which is where my dad teaches. Right when the student hear my last name they always ask, "Are you coach Clarendon's daughter?" and sometimes they ask if I am his wife and I just roll my eyes and say really??? All I do is say, "Yes, he is my dad and if you guys give me any bit of trouble he will be down here right away so i suggest you behave." This works great :)

It is funny how God will help me out just when I need it. I was just in the brink of thinking, "I really don't think I want to teach, these kids are just too much" and then the next day I subbed for a great 6th grade class in Colton. They listen to me, did their work and were respectful. It was so refreshing. I think it helped that I prayed for the class the night before and then the morning before on the way to the class.

Lots of these kids come from homes where there is a lack of love and attention. They have not been raised properly and their actions are a result of this. These students, although they are loud, obnoxious and annoying at times, really need love and someone who really cares. I hope that some day when I have my own classroom, I can love my students and how them that I do care. This will be done only with lots of help from Jesus! :)