Hi Ho, Hi Ho...

...it's off to work I go.  

I had my first substitute assignment on Thursday, Oct. 17th.  I was extremely anxious the entire week but as soon as the class began arriving my nerves settled.  They were a very energetic 5th grade class who definitely kept me on my toes (one boy in particular .... 'nuff said) but all in all, I think it was a good day.  

This past week I was scheduled to work on Monday and Friday for two different 3rd grade classrooms. My class on Monday was phenomenal.  Awesome group of kids.  On Tuesday evening I received a phone call from my girlfriend, the first grade teacher for whom I volunteer.  Three days into her maternity leave she needed a sub for her sub who had fallen ill.  So for Wednesday and Thursday, I graduated from Teacher's Helper to Teacher for my little group of first graders. Great kids but when you get 18 six/seven year olds together (some of them on the autistic spectrum), it is quite the experience.  I was literally drop dead exhausted both evenings.  

By Thursday evening my throat was a bit scratchy but I assumed it was from all of the talking I'd done this week.  Friday morning I awoke to an undeniably sore throat (and a tad bit of stuffiness) but felt fine and headed in to my scheduled 3rd grade assignment.  Another awesome group of kids.  (So far I'm finding 3rd grade to be the best age!)  At about noon I was suddenly hit (and I mean SUDDENLY) with a wave of nauseousness, clamminess and shakiness.  I tried my best to shake it off but finally had to call the office to let them know that I needed to go home.  I got home around 1:00 on Friday and have spent the entire time since in bed with a fever/chest cold.  *sigh*

Yesterday my teacher girlfriend informed me that her reading specialist, who comes in for an hour each morning, is now sick with a fever.  Bottom line....those cute little first graders have managed to bring three teachers to their knees in the span of five days!  

So far my upcoming week is free from assignments and I need to keep it that way for at least the first few days.  I have a feeling that the school is going to be very short staffed but they'll have to find some fresh blood.  *wink*

With all of that said, I really, really enjoy subbing.  The hours are great, the staff is great, the students are great (mostly, LOL!) and I really love my time with the kids.  I just hope that my immune system can keep up them.      

I'll leave you with these ...

Made by one of my third grade students on Friday morning.  

and this one, made by the same student later that day...