Thursday, November 1, 2012

Lavender Oil and Dim Lights

This story just makes me laugh. I had a sub Monday afternoon so that I could take the time to collaborate with my old master teacher and hash out some things she had observed in the morning that would help with my classroom management. Well long story short, the secretary thought only my master teacher had requested a sub and therefore when I brought it to her attention, she had to find a sub for me last minute, the day of. My goodness! Who knew this would draw out the crazies?!

The sub walks into my room during lunch and I kid you not, cue the trumpets, the royal band, what have you. She just stands there waiting for me to recognize her or something - awkward. Finally I ask, "Hi, who are you?". She tells me she's my sub. Ah, now we're getting somewhere!

I proceed to feed her pertinent information about my class. It's the overflow class, a lot of the students are immature because they haven't had any prior schooling, yada yada yada. Then, it was like something went off when I told her half jokingly that she was going to have her hands full with my class.

She starts digging through her purse and busts out a little bottle claiming, "I have just the right thing for a rowdy class". My right eyebrow sinks. She starts putting the contents of the mystery bottle on her finger and rubbing it along the edges of my tables. Then she goes after my rug area.

"Excuse me," I ask, "What is that?". She informs me it's lavender oil and says every kindergarten teacher should invest in a bottle because it has a calming effect. Here's how this would have gone down in Karen's Sub Playbook pg. 12: NEVER RUB ANY FOREIGN SUBSTANCE IN A CLASSROOM THAT ISN'T YOURS! I double take. Wait what, so this sub just doused my room with lavender oil and now my students are going to come back from recess and wonder why someone trapped them in a bar of soap. I'm not calm.

Before I can get my next word out she bolts over to the door and turns off one of the lights. "Dimming the lights also helps to calm students". Uh no, dimming the lights also helps students fall asleep. I really thought she was going to suggest a seance next. I mean with the lavender scent and dim lights, I should have changed my Chicka Chicka Boom Boom door to Boom Chicka Boom Boom if you catch my drift...

I know it's my first year as a teacher but I think this sub overstepped her boundaries. Personally, if I were to sub, I would never step into another teacher's room and start making such extreme changes. More importantly, if I did feel strongly about a specific change I would ask first. I mean, I could've had students who were allergic to lavender for all she knew. I was really offended that she chose to change my room like that without even asking. I will never have her as my sub again. Would you?

9 comments:

  1. hahahahaha what a weird story! How awkward!! Personally I get sneeze attacks when strong scents are around, so I totally understand your worry about the students. And yep, darker = snooooze. Did you hear whether they behaved for her?

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    1. She left a list of kids under a happy face and sad face on my white board. By the looks of it, the lavender oil and dim lights failed.

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  2. I would never do such a thing as a sub...you come in, do as much of the stuff the teacher asks you to do as you can manage, and leave the room in the same condition you found it(for the most part) without any extra scents remaining.
    How odd!!

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  3. Well, I will say this: being a substitute is a SUPER HARD job. I did it for all of 3 weeks when I was living overseas and home for a wedding and I wanted some extra cash. So I tend to err on the "do whatcha gotta do" side, but if something rubs me the wrong way, I just try not to hire them again. If lavender and dim lights are her coping skill, rock on. That will make her understand your plight a little more when it doesn't work. You'll have a comrade. :) Likewise, if someone follows my plans and leaves my room somewhat clean with no major issues, BAM, they've got a friend for life. (Did the lavender and dim lights at least calm you down? hahahaha)

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    1. Haha, I agree that subbing is really tough. I remember how hard it was when I was subbing earlier this year. Depending on how Prop 30 goes, it may be all that is in my future! Lavender only ever calms me when it's in my bathtub or in my hot white chocolate. Other than that - niet!

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  4. Just stumbled across your blog and I would feel the EXACT same way you did... For starters, you should never, never, nevvvver change around a teachers classroom (ESPECIALLY WITH YOU RIGHT THERE!) plus, she sounds pretty looney! In my book, she would definitely NOT be hired back! Haha!

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  5. I was hitting the "Next Blog>>" link and came across this. That was insanely entertaining. Probably hectic when it was happening, but I was cracking up reading this. That sub is pretty cavalier. I think your instincts are correct by not allowing her to sub your class again. When crazy walks toward you down the street, cross and walk on the other side. Thanks for the story. It was a great read.

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    1. Thank you for reading. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

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