Floating through the school system

Last week I subbed at Harvard Park in Springfield.  It was an intense day of floating.  Floating, which I had never done, consists of teaching for about 15 minutes while the teacher goes to a meeting.  I spent 15 minutes with 20 kids, went across the hall and spent 25 minutes with 20 kids, and then had a long 1.5 hour stretch with 20 more kids.  After that, I only had two more 15 minutes with 20 different kids each.

You know how they say kids act up when there is a sub?  Well, about the time I would establish some authority, it was time to move on.  It seemed each class had at least 2 kids who just could not contain their feisty spirits.  My favorite kid of the day told me his name was something like Jerico Randall Shiffley.  He had just learned his middle name was Randall and he was very proud.  I think I called him Randy a few times before I could catch myself.

I am an advocate for gay rights and marriage equality.  I make that statement before writing about this particular student.  This young boy, Jerico Randall Shiffley, could be a poster child for the born this way argument.  This beautiful young man was as gay as anyone I have ever met.  I think it was a third grade class.  He was a slim, medium dark complexion boy with a huge, fake diamond earring in his left ear.  He was well groomed and dressed in an average fashion, though his shoes were a stylish splash of color.  He was graceful, witty, and an amazing personality, charming anyone who came near.

He was also sassy, observant, and independent.  A child after my own heart.  He spoke well and in the stereotypical manner of effeminate people.  He was a wonder to behold in the exceptional nature of his existence.  Just as many creatures in the animal kingdom are gender combined, so this young man was born as he was with a feminine spirit.

The trick here is how to take such a special young person and develop him into the powerful force for good that they are so obviously destined to become.  I'm not saying everyone doesn't have such potential, but some people have it more.  How could anyone with such wit and compassion not become a great leader?

When they say all men are created equal, I think I would adjust it to say under the law.  From what I see with my own eyes every time I teach, all men are not created equally.  There is a bell curve of all qualities ranging from saints to psychopaths.  Some are good at math and some are good at reading.  Some are good at deceiving, some are compelled to always demand the truth.

There was a boy in another class who stole.  The kids told me he stole, and I saw him stealing.  When confronted, he not only threw a fit, but stormed out of the room and went to the principle.  I called them to say he had stormed out and they replied, he's down here.

He is at the opposite end of the spectrum from the young prince described above.  I could only see in that sad child's future a life behind bars.  There is hope for him, but the cards are stacked against it.  The goal for all of us is to prevent his destructive nature from being advanced and developed by his parents into something dangerous and man sized.

Both of these children were from the same general social class.  I will simply call it disadvantaged.

What will become of them in this officious system?  How will they be nurtured?

We must suppress those among us leaning toward evil and support those who are driven toward good.

Concentrated observations of humanity

Substitute teaching brings me joy and profound satisfaction, even when it is unsatisfying and depressing.  I have been subbing for about 3 months and it is great.  What an adventure.  Imagine getting a call in the morning like you are a secret agent.  They ask you if you want a job.

What job?  Who knows?  It is only after you push the number one on your phone that they begin to tell you of your assignment.  Sometimes it will be second graders, sometimes seventh.  You never know.  Springfield schools are much larger than the other district I teach in, Chatham, so they sometimes have options.

Would I like a half day with special ed, or a whole day with ninth graders at Lanphier?   Hmmmm.  I'll go with the ones I can fight back if they mutiny.  Just kidding.  I would never fight back kids, unless I had to.  Then, it is best to crush the leader and the others will line up.  I learned that from Sun Tzu in The Art of War.  A handy book for subs.

My favorite part about subbing has nothing to do with the actual work, I must say.  It has nothing to do with the curriculum or the technology or the teacher's lesson plan.  The building, the grounds, the administration are all empty shells.  It is the children who fascinate me.

These little creatures are bubbling with spirit and personality.  They are a true reflection of the power and potential of the human race.  Not only do they exude character, but they span a wide array of genetic predispositions.  This blog will help me record and remember some of the many great stories I have gained from substitute teaching.

Come visit now and then.  See what you think.

Dead Heroes Inspire the Living

A few of my heroes have died within the past few years.  It really has me thinking.  Kurt Vonnegut, Joe Baegent, and the guy who said God is dead.  These men were great writers.  Their writing will be with us for many years.  Yet, now, they are no longer producing new material.  They are forever gone from this world in the form as we knew them.

Does that mean there is room for me to write my own crazy ideas?  Have they, by their deaths, given me unstated permission to take over in their stead?  Their writing spoke to me as if I were writing it myself.  Imagine if I could write as well as they.  Imagine if my words could make an impact on the minds of humans around the world.  Now that they are no longer writing, maybe it is my turn to share insights that they might have missed.  Maybe just repeating the wonderful insights they shared would be enough.

I'll stew on these questions all the while with a burning desire to spread true knowledge in a manner empowering to all people who apply it.  There is a will and a way, so I mostly need consistency and probably a large flame under my behind. 

Observations of a substitute teacher

As the title of this blog site suggests, this is a space where I can free think any wacky ideas without having to rationalize or justify any of my statements.  If this country ever hopes to bring back the true spirit of innovation, we must find shelter from criticism at times and be able to express ourselves fully without fear of retribution. 

For instance, it may be crazy of me to say this, but after substitute teaching for a few months, I can identify trouble makers by their head shape.  The science of phrenology is still alive and well.  As you see room after room of children, you begin to recognize patterns of behavior correlated to patterns of head shape.  Color is not as important as head shape.  Size is not as important either, but the Napoleons are never tall people.  They are little dictators who demand respect, command with ease, and always have ideas about what everyone should do.

They are beginning to run together.  The faces I see are sometimes so familiar I think they must be cousins with that other kid from a week before.  While they are not cousins that they know, I am certain that their ancestral chain is interwoven to a high degree.  I look forward to meeting many more human children and watching them behave in ways that can only be explained by nature.