Tapshoes and Substitute Teaching.

Well Folks,

Brockton Public Schools in their infinite wisdom has seen fit to hire me as a substitute teacher for the fabulous children of Brockton. Many of my friends reacted with a snicker and an incredulous eyebrow. They seem a bit worried about my qualifications or my possible unique influence on maleable young minds. Pah! I think I may have been born to substitute teach. Not forever, mind you, but for a while. It's fun, challenging and never really dull. This past thursday marked my first day as an official teacher (as compared to my teacher's assistant status this summer) and I had the privelege of subbing for the music teacher at the plouffe elementary. I had one class of each grade over the course of the day- what a wonderful sampling for me! Now I know some of what I prefer, and some of what I'd rather avoid. On friday I bounced around (also at the Plouffe) and covered various classrooms while their teachers attended one-hour staff meetings. I made a few second graders cry. I gave the fourth graders a lecture on "cheat cheat never beat" and counted with a room full of all-day kindergarteners in the very last hour of the very last day of a very long week. Kindergarteners seem to me to be an entirely different species. A cute, near-human species that smells peculiar but makes you smile with their puzzling antics. There was also a bunny in that classroom. And a sandbox.
Tomorrow I am taking on first grade and to tell the truth I'm more nervous about that prospect than the Junior high schools. First grade!? I'm told they sometimes still have accidents. They are barely older than that other-worldly kindergarten group. How should this be tackled? I looked on the net for some teaching tips but thay all made me more nervous so I think i'll probably fall back on old theatre games if necessary and hope the teacher left a detailed day plan for me. Also, I have never set foot in the Kennedy Elementary and am a bit nervous about that.

On a happier note: This sunday I ventured into a Patriots-enduced near ghosttown Boston on a quest for dance supplies! I visited Boston Dancewear and with the assistance of a very nice Russian Gentleman was able to precure all my AMDA required dance-items for school. I am especially excited about the tap shoes, as I've always wanted to learn how to tap. I put them on when I got home and flitted around the house as if I were six years old again. The bird was slightly terrified. Mum and Dad smiled in a bemused sort of way. Let me just tell everyone if they aren't already aware: My rythmic skills leave something to be desired, and my coordination ability is low at best. But guess what? If you smile wide enoug and put your heart into it they wont be looking at your feet!!!
My least favorite item was the leotard. Yikes. A grown woman... a full figured woman in a lycra leotard. Ah Well. I just laughed and sighed and took it with a grain of salt. Who cares? It will be a character building experience one would expect. A close second on the least-favorite list would be the ballet slippers. They're not in themselves offensive, but they stand as a daunting symbol: I will be learning BALLET. what's worse than being in a leotard in front of a class full of people? Being in a leotard in fron of a class full of people attempting the grace of Ballet. If I can sneak a camera into class folks- I'd give you all a laugh!! Hee heee heee.

Well, I have to be bright eyed and bushy tailed tomorrow. i'm sure first graders aren't in the least bit forgiving so I must be on my toes. Good night!

Beth