If He Was A Fly on The Wall

As I walked into the classroom as a substitute teacher, I was quickly faced with the reality that my students were not doing to do any work today. After providing them with instructions for their assignments, I was told “we don’t do work when he here”, “this man trying us”, “he not even going to grade this work, so I m not doing it”, and “all we do is watch movies”. I was in complete shock. I could not believe that these students were refusing to do work.

I began to question the learning instructions provided on a weekly bases from this particular teacher. I also wondered what type of structure he had developed for them and what kind of classroom management skills he had. I asked myself the questions “are these kids telling the truth?”, but as the day went on I heard the same thing from four different class periods. In considering the comments from the students, I began to really think about the structure and culture that teachers create in the classroom. No matter if they are there or not, their students should always want to learn. What students do when the permanent teacher is there is the same thing they will do when a substitute is there.

If he was a fly on the wall, I sure his students comments and actions would have been like bug spray being sprayed. I sure he would have been offended by what was being said about him. As educators we have to be mindful of our actions and be consistent in promoting learning. This experience just confirmed the need for teachers to set a pace for their students and expectations.  In every moment, I challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone and to make an effort to close the educational opportunity gaps in your own school district.