"Are You Old Enough to be a Substitute?"

I absolutely love having this year off from school. Substitute teaching and coaching volleyball has been a blast. I thought I would feel like I have a bunch of free time...but I've stayed fairly busy the whole time. Some days that I don't get called in to sub I feel a little unproductive...but I don't usually have an entire day with nothing on my schedule. It's still busy busy spring time as always. Between subbing, coaching, playing city rec, siblings' sports events, and church stuff/church calling, I have stuff going on all the time! I absolutely love having weeks full of something every single night. The days I don't substitute are precious days of rest that I can just collect my thoughts and prepare for other activities ahead.

I enjoy substitute teaching so much. The kids have been so fun. I never have problems with the kids. I love when they try to be sneaky about stuff...like texting, or getting out of class, etc. I don't think they realize that I still remember the tricks from school (it has been a whopping 5 years that I've been out of high school...but come on, that doesn't make me an old hag!). It still makes me laugh that students think I can't see them texting when they hold their phone under their desk. pahaha. I can almost see it better that way. I get a good laugh every time I sub. The jr high kids and freshmen say the funniest things. I'm just going to share my favorite quotes/compliments I've heard/received.

Freshman boy to his friend before playing Fortress Ball in P.E.: "Every time I score, I'm gonna say SHAM-WOW. It's gonna be so funny." (...oh gosh that will be so hilarious...sham-wow?)

8th grade girl conversation: "I can't believe you told ____ that you love him." "Shut-up. That was like last month." (....oh well then that's okay)

Junior boy pays me a compliment after I tell the class that they can chat quietly with their friends if they show me their completed worksheet: "You're like.......BOMB" (...thanks?)

Freshmen boys in P.E.: "Are you going to be a teacher here next year?" ... "No..I'm going to law school...so you can call me with all your legal problems when you're older" ... boy's friend: "when he's OLDER?..He needs help with his criminal activity right NOW!" (...hahahaha. Sad, but probably true.)

7th grade girl: "You're the best substitute ever. You should be a sub forever." (...uhh no thanks!)

Sophomore girl after seeing my name (Ms. Ericson) on the board: "Are you like..Mr. Ericson's wife?"....."Uhm first of all, I'm a little young for that. Second of all, NO, that would be my Uncle!" (...plus what does "Ms" usually imply?)

7th grade girl: "If you're single, Mr. York is available." (...pahahaha)

At least one kid every time I sub (this is not an exaggeration..EVERY time): "Are you old enough to be a sub?" (...YES! Do I really look that young? Ugh)

Freshmen kids in language arts. I don't know how ABBA came up, but somehow we got to talking: one kid said, "Who's ABBA?" ...I was amazed, "Are you kidding? They sing Dancing Queen!"...all the kids in the class,"Dancing Queen?"....so the only thing I could do was sing, "Ahh...you know...You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen"...kid, "don't know the song, but you're the coolest substitute ever"...all the kids nod and smile (...haha i'm glad they enjoyed my singing of Dancing Queen. I assumed as freshmen they'd all just think I was crazy. But they really didn't know about Dancing Queen. So tragic!!)

And last but not least...freshmen boy: "I'm going to be 18 in two years...can I call you then?" (....NO you cannot. I'll be 25 in two years. Gross.)

Everyday I get a laugh. Never a dull moment in the substitute world.