Make Way For Anderson's Ducklings: Who Are You, and What Did You Do With My Teacher?

Do you remember being in school and walking into your classroom only to find a stranger standing where your "real" teacher usually stands? I do. The first thoughts weaving themselves immediately through my youthful mind were:

• "Cool! A free day!"

• Will this stranger know what time recess and lunch are?

• How much mischief can I get away with?

Now that I'm on the teacher end of the substitute situation, my thoughts are much different. Now I worry about:

• Will she love my kids like I do?

• Will she be able to handle my difficult children? (those are my favorite actually)

• Will the kids forget me?

• Will the kids love her more than they love me??

• How much of the lesson plans will she cover and, subsequently, how much will I need to re-teach.

When I'm not able to go to school, I think about my class all day long. So, last last Friday I had to leave my darling little class with a substitute teacher while I had some foot surgery.

Here I am recuperating from the surgery. I'm even correcting papers.

For the past eight years, I've had the additional assignment of being the Literacy Coordinator at my school. Usually I share my classroom with another teacher to free me up half a day to help and coach the teachers with reading and writing. Because of severe budget cuts, I am back in the classroom full-time (which I LOVE). I will be released 2 1/2 days per month...usually Wednesday.

Why am I mentioning this? Well, I just wanted to shout it out how lucky I am to have a very special substitute teacher who will take my class on the days when I am working with teachers in my building. Her name is Mrs. LeAnn Arnold. I have total confidence in her. She is loving and kind. She is an excellent teacher and familiar with our curriculum.

Remember my list of worries earlier in this post? I don't worry about any of them with LeAnn. She is amazing.