One day, it is helping a high school student realize his potential by trying to connect him with a counselor who he hasn't bothered to contact.

The other is to listen to the teacher gently scold a 5-year-old child for swearing.

"This is not the word we use in kindergarten," she suggested.

When the boy admitted that he didn't know the definition of the word, she asked: "When you don't know what a word means, why do you use it?"

This is the life of a substitute teacher: one day, preschool children receive special education; the next high school for advanced placement economics; below, a middle school with such fascinating children.

There are many life lessons along the way.

I have been a substitute since last spring, and given the severe shortage of such people, we are important now.

There will always be people in different locations—high school, middle school, elementary school, or virtual—thank me for my work that day.

It feels good to be appreciated.

At this point in the pandemic, it goes without saying that the secondary shortage is blamed on the virus. What is not affected?

It is understandable that potential divers are nervous about getting something from the child they supervise. When I retired from elementary school teaching 18 months ago, the pandemic was the cause. I have a disease that is considered pre-existing. I was 62 years old and my doctor advised me to seriously consider ending my career.

Fully vaccinated, I started vaccinating in the spring. When planning the financial situation of retirement, I considered the additional income that the replacement would bring. I need points.

Murrieta, the student I work for, must wear a mask during class. The vast majority of people comply, but a few, sometimes more, try to bypass it, prompting me to remind them.

I even left notes for ordinary teachers about children who did not follow the rules. It's like the teacher still doesn't know the culprit.

As for the actual sub-experience, it is wonderful. I can hang out with the children all day long (this is the main reason I became a teacher at the age of 39) and feel that I am also playing a role because submarines are valued.

When I leave, I don’t have to deal with the drudgery of teaching: lesson plans, grading, parents, and administrators. If it is difficult for a student or a class that day, it is enough to pick up that job again.

If I have travel or family affairs to deal with, I will not tell or ask any questions. I happily told my former colleague: It's like every day is Friday.

What don't you like?

I have learnt a lot. I have a new appreciation for the teachers in the first grade. Kindergarten children only need a little more than half a day to go to school, but they have to endure a whole day in the second year. On the day I made up for the first grade teacher, the two children were crying most of the time and wanted to go home. I tried to comfort them, but in the end, it was like fighting hell with a hose.

Their tears just kept streaming.

Middle school has its own ups and downs. A girl, obviously upset, asked to go out because she didn't like her name, so I called her when I was there.

Her ordinary teacher knows to use her nickname.

In another class, the children were asked to write down what is a good teacher on post-it notes.

A person’s inspirational idea should be turned into a poster to remind all teachers what is most important.

I took down the note by myself.

I spent 7 days in a series of high school math tutoring classes, some of the children struggled with multiplication facts, telling time and other basic knowledge. The classroom assistant and I did our best. On my last day, a few students who were older than the two of us said they would miss me.

When it comes to substitutes, every day is an adventure.

Contact Carl Love at carlllove4@yahoo.com

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