Clashing Symbols

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"The main hope of a nation lies in the proper educaton of its youth."

Erasmus

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During an extended hiatus between jobs I signed up to be a substitute teacher. There's not much required; passing grades on the three sections of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), proof of having earned a bachelor's degree, and a negative result from a tuberculosis test. I presented those at the administative offices of the school district, had my fingerprints taken for a background check, and paid the necessary administrative fees. A week later I had my picture taken for an ID badge and received instruction on how to use their telephone system for substitute teaching jobs. I had never done anything like this, but it was something I thought I could manage. I've been told by friends and relatives that my disposition would be an asset in the classroom.

As it turned out, I received and accepted an offer of a permanent job less than six weeks later. I am grateful for those few days I worked as a substitute teacher, if for no other reason than gaining from that experience a deep appreciation for those who do that work every day of the school year. This photo is some of the twenty first grade students I taught for two days. Well, to say that I taught them is a bit of a stretch. Those children were as manipulative as they were charming. An inexperienced teacher's time could be consumed with simply having those young students sit still and be quiet for their lessons. Luckily for me, there were teacher's assistants in the classroom who were a big help in maintaining some semblance of order.

While at the school I took the opportunity to talk with a few of the teachers I met there. A man who teaches fifth grade wished me luck with the younger children. My brother-in-law in San Antonio teaches fourth grade and also regards the lower grades as a greater challenge. A first grade teacher mentioned how there isn't enough money to offer the teachers classes for professional development. There is not enough time to teach anything more than the three R's. My general impression is that the teachers have to contend with bureaucracy, but the time they enjoy with the children outweighs the negative aspects of their jobs.

It was interesting how quickly I learned the students' names and began to see them as individuals, each with her or his own distinctive character traits. I saw a list of recent test results on the teacher's desk during the lunch period. The scores were in line with my impressions of the students' academic skills. Some were very bright, first finished with their worksheets and eager to read books. A few had learning disabilities. One needed her classmates to act as translators. I could see how a teacher could invest time every school year getting to know each student as an individual.

Well, who knows? If I get tired of the work I am doing now, maybe I'll look into what would be necessary for certification and go back to teaching.