There is no Substitute for a Good Substitute

 

While working on his degree in education, Martin often served as a substitute teacher in local schools. The experience taught him which schools had free coffee, which principals were forgiving about paperwork deadlines, and he learned that he should not specialize in early childhood education. (Jennette and Geordan still love to hear the story of how Poppy made the kindergarten students cry.) He went on to teach for 20 years in middle school and older elementary.

After his retirement, Martin was once again a popular substitute teacher. He found joy in teaching without having to attend meetings, prepare lesson plans or submit grades according to a timetable set by someone else.

In an abundance of caution during the pandemic, he has not done much substitute teaching in the past year and even now limits himself to family requests.

 Ben needed a sub for his 9^th grade World History class and Martin pulled out his GPISD name tag, dusted off his dress pants, and was ready to reacquaint himself with teen students. That evening he and Ben reviewed the day and shared stories about the students, about the teachers down the hall, and about the positive experiences. The one exception to all the good vibes was the students who thought Mr. Hinshaw, the sub, was the older brother of Mr. Hinshaw, the teacher. Martin loved it. Ben was less enthusiastic.

However, the following day, Ben called his dad about a student who said he was owed $1.00 and that Mr. Hinshaw, the sub, had assured him that Mr. Hinshaw, the teacher, was good for it. In fact, the student presented an IOU signed by Martin. It seems there was a bet about hitting the waste basket from across the room with paper trash. Martin was confident it was impossible. Martin was wrong. And Martin didn’t have a dollar on him at the time. Ben paid the bill.

 At a “meet the teacher” visit, Martin offered to sub if needed in Jennette or Geordan’s class.  As a result, Jennette delivered a message from her 4^th grade teacher requesting that he sub for half a day in her class. All went smoothly until he announced that it was time to line up for lunch. As the students scrambled for lunch kits, Jennette raised her hand and said “Mr. Hinshaw, lunch isn’t for another hour.” A quick glance at the clock proved her right and he gathered the kids back. As a filler he offered one of his trivia questions with the prize of $1.00 to the first student who could answer. Later that day he received a call from Mr. Killough (an old friend and the assistant principal). The teacher had spoken to Mr. Killough and requested that money not exchange hands in her classroom. Mr. Killough said that he would not be returning the dollar but would use it to buy himself a cup of money and thanked Martin for his generosity.

This pandemic season has been difficult for everyone, but I hope you will offer classroom teachers the support and encouragement they need. And if you know someone who needs a substitute, think twice before you suggest Martin.