These things happen

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Home : 2004 : February : 29

These things happen
By Dan

Yes, I know the feeling. Last year I subbed for an early elementary class, and they were great. I left a glowing report for the teacher. When I saw the teacher a week or two later, she was slightly friendly, but for the
most part she barely gave me the time of day. When I saw her on other occasions, she barely said hello.
A few weeks ago, I subbed for a sixth grade teacher. It was in a tough school, but the kids weren't bad. I could tell that the teacher ran a well-organized classroom, and she left me good plans. I wrote a nice report, and I complimented her on her classroom organization.
Guess

what. When I saw her several times during the weeks that followed, she also barely gave me the time of day.

Why do some regular teachers act this way? I wish I knew. Some might feel threatened, and maybe they worry that their kids like the subs better than themselves.

I really can't excuse rudeness, but I do know that regular teachers are under a great deal of stress today. Some of them probably don't mean to be rude, but they have so much on their minds
that making conversation with a sub is on the bottom of their list of priorities.

When this happens, I don't let it get me down. I have more important things to worry about. When I see these less than friendly teachers, I always smile and say hello. Sometimes they'll respond and sometimes they won't, but I can feel good about the fact that I made an honest effort.