A Substitute doesn't always mean a substitute plan.....

Got your attention with that title didn't I. First off, let me clarify. When no teacher is in the classroom, a lesson plan designed for the substitute is a must. That being said, there was a substitute in class this week, twice as a matter of fact. But, I was here also. Since last Friday, I have had a substitute in the class with me for two days. Two days in Mr. Boyer's room, and two days in Mr. Heyler's room.

I honestly wasn't sure how to feel. It was nice knowing that they had trust in me to continue teaching classes without their guidance, but, absolutely terrifying to realize that they weren't there to guide me. But, I did what I do everyday. Put on my teaching pants, and came to school. It ended up being a great experience, and I got the opportunity to connect with two more colleagues. Ms. Heyler and Mr. Williams.

Ms. Heyler (no relation to Mr. Heyler) was a great teacher to work with. Not only did she offer advice and tips for teaching, I also learned that she too went to Penn State and majored in (wait for it)......... Agricultural and Extension Education!!!!! She explained that after she graduated, she wasn't sure if teaching was for her, so she went into the business field. After leaving, she came back to teaching as a substitute, and is currently searching for a full time opening. It was nice to have a sub with this kind of background, so she could not only offer specific tips for teaching Ag, but was a great team member, in case I got a question that I wasn't quite sure how to answer.

One of  my attempts at grafting

Mr. Williams was substituting for Mr. Heyler. While he didn't have much of an agricultural background, I found that he had great report with the students, and, he even commented that he enjoyed the static electricity lesson I did with the students, and was going to try some of the experiments with his grandchildren at home.

I think this week was a good one for me to go on my own though. In my Ag Science and Horticulture classes, we discussed asexual propagation, and in Horticulture, we even got to practice grafting and performing leaf cuttings on plants. (Ag science will be doing a slimmed down version of that next week.). Along with asexual propagation we discussed the use of tissue culture, and my Hort. students are now working on an end of unit project.

In Ag Mechanics, we all about electric, about electric, electrical wiring!!!!! after spending a few days last week, and one day this week explaining wiring and electrical concepts/safety, we are now in the full swing of wiring, finishing duplex receptacle wiring, and, starting spst (single pull, single throw) light wiring. And while school policy says that while the teacher is gone, we can't use the equipment, we are still going over topics that will help them better understand their wiring skills.

Two of my seniors who play basketball. SO PROUD!!!!!

Speaking of Ag Mechanic Students, I am proud to say that I witnessed my boys beat their rivals, and fellow district school Williamson High. I know I've only been here for a couple of weeks, but, I can honestly say that I am proud of these guys, and proud of the things they are doing.

After the week I've had, I can safely say that I can handle the pressure of no cooperating teacher, and that I've been prepared with the skills to still have an engaging lesson even without the use of our shop tools.

I also learned that just because a substitute teacher is in the class, doesn't mean that learning can't be happening. It just means that the information on the topic might need to be provided more than what a typical teacher would need. But, in both classes I saw learning occurring, and both Mr. Boyer and Mr. Heyler stressed the importance of students actually having work, and it being relevant. That's what I mean by a "substitute plan". Substitute teachers went through training, classes, and student teaching just like us. They are capable of handling a classroom, and more than willing to do what their job is, Teach. It is a waste of students time and potential to just have them watch a useless movie. And besides that, no matter who's teaching the lesson, there's no substituting a fun, educational lesson in class.

That's all this week. Next week will be a whole new challenge for me, As I not only switch from my horticulture class to Metal Fabrication, but, in Ag Science, we will be moving on to our next unit.... Animal Science. Have a great rest of the week, and from a very chilly Northern Tioga County, STAY WARM!!!!!!