Challenging Challenges

Being a substitute has a lot of unique challenges and stresses. Think about it, not only do I have 30 NEW kids every day, I go to a NEW workplace everyday! Most people have one, maybe two bosses you interact with and directly answer to. After a while you get to know what is expected of you, who to go to for help (who NOT to go to for help), what the rules are (written and unwritten), where everything is, and just the general culture of the workplace. I don't have that luxury. Every school I go to has a new time schedule, new rules, new physical layout, new procedures, new expectations of me and of the students. Every school does supervision differently. Every school disciplines differently (well, some don't discipline at all). Every school has different rules for conduct. Every school does paperwork differently. The worst part is NOT that I always have new things to deal with though. The worst part by FAR is that many school's staff expect me to know EVERYTHING! It doesn't matter if I've been there once, ten times or never. I' supposed to know it all. I'm sorry but I have gotten the schedule mixed up with the one I was using yesterday, and inevitably someone's gonna ream me out about it. I can't find something so I ask for help, that person's probably going to make sure I know what a nuisance and bother I am for asking. I don't always know the rules at the playground, so I get the "student safety is common sense" speech. I hate to tell you all this, but there's plently of disagreement about whether climbing UP the slide is safe or not! I am so supremely SICK of the snide "You should know this!" looks and remarks! Maybe there is something to be said for throwing an old-fashioned tantrum. MIght make me feel better!
So the next time you roll your eyes at a sub, think for a second. COuld you go to a new job everyday and STILL know everything? Then stop expecting me to!