Law of Gravity

Subs have been in very short supply lately. Things have gotten so bad that nowadays when I'm told there's a co-teacher, I don't expect them. (If there are normally two teachers in the room, the office is sure to pull the sub to cover for a class with one teacher who is out. If both teachers are out, they'll replace with one sub.) So, even though the eighth grade English class was co-taught, I was expecting to be the lone adult in the room all day. Another sub arrived before school. However, first period wasn't co-taught. She explained she was only covering first period for the co-teacher. I had a brief flash of optimism. Would they period sub the co-teacher? But then I realized they had to cover her first period as she taught that class on her own. Second period was the teacher's prep (and I was sent elsewhere). I was surprised when a neighbor teacher showed up for the next class. (The sub shortage is so bad most full time teachers are covering a class on their ...

Seventh grade math. The lesson plan warned that the classes had been difficult (this was accompanied by an apology), but I was to have a co-teacher. Of course, not thirty seconds after reading that, the phone rang. It was the office informing me that my co-teacher was also out sick, and a sub for that co-teacher had not been ordered. I begged the secretary for help. I knew I was going to need it. She said she'd see what she could do. First period I wasn't to have a co-teacher. I muddled through, but it was as bad as advertised. Second period was the teacher's prep (and I went elsewhere to cover an extra period). Third period I returned, expecting more of what I had had in first period. The bell rang, and I fought for attention. That's when another sub showed up. via GIPHY She was so helpful. I went over what they were to do, and Ms. F clamped down on them. The kiddos were working. They were even nearly silent. All was well. Until the phone rang... On the way over, Ms. F...