Restraint

Today I wanted to take the head off of my daughter's substitute teacher.

It is only by the grace of God that this woman survived the day.

I have begun a habit of helping out in Ali's class on Mondays, and Zoe's class on Thursdays. Today Ali had a substitute. I hesitate to help when subs come in because they don't know routines, fail to follow directions left by teachers, and generally drive me nuts. Today Ali was so looking forward to me staying that I didn't leave after all.

Ali has a little boy in her class with autism. He's fairly high functioning and really smart. I've talked with him off and on when I visit the class. I really like the kid. He loves Inspector Gadget and likes to talk about him...a lot. I tell him I will listen to him at recess all the time. He's a good kid. Ali's teacher is great with him. He listens and redirects in an amazing way. There are days when this boy is difficult, but Ali's teacher has so much patience and understanding. The fit is perfect.

Enter Sub Lady.

I listened to her reassure parents who didn't need reassuring that their children would be okay with her. No biggie. She just didn't read adults very well. Not a necessity.

I watched her play right into the hands of the little girl who loves to run the classroom and praise her for all her help...constantly. To the point where this little girl was practically telling her what to do. I tried not to let it bother me since the class was still running well and the kids were still getting their work done.

The thing that really go to me was when she just continually picked on the little boy with autism. She would call on him every time to answer a question. She praised little and bugged him a lot. The thing is, he was having a really good day. He was on task most of the time, he wasn't disruptive and he followed directions really well. It was a great day for him...except for when Sub Lady kept picking on him. I wanted to tell her to leave him alone.

Recess came around and the kids usually sit and have a snack at the beginning. The little boy had a yogurt in his bag and spilled it on himself. No big deal.... I took him to the office so they could call his parents because he really spilled it everywhere. The thing that made me really angry was her comment as we left, "they really should send him clothes because you know those kids always have accidents."

I walked away. I couldn't say anything to her at all without taking her apart and we were on the playground with a bunch of kindergarteners listening. I was so angry.

Zoe's teacher was walking back from break then and took one look at me and said "uh oh. Is everything okay?" I was still so angry and there were still kids around so I just said "I really like Mr. (Ali's teacher)". I kept walking the boy to the office and left him in the hands of the wonderful understanding school nurse.

I walked back to the playground praying that she didn't say anything at all about the boy the rest of the day and that the mom just took him home. God heard my cry and answered. The boy was rescued.

I went through the rest of the day just trying to go with the flow. The little girl who really needed to be told that the teacher would tell the instructions still pretty much ruled the class. Ali just sat and did her work. She was a little tired and could tell that I wasn't a happy camper. Poor kid probably knew why I was angry too. I felt so bad.

I left hoping that Ali's teacher returns tomorrow. I just don't think I could stand to know that Sub Lady is going to be there tomorrow.