Woody Allen and Teaching

It's unclear if it was George Bernard Shaw or Woody Allen who lent fame to the saying "Those who can, do; those who can't , teach."  All I know is that it is untrue.  I substituted twice this past week for elementary school teachers and found that teaching in the public schools is a skill in its own right.  I don't know why I thought this would be easy money.

Teaching is hard work.  I had over 25 students in each of the classes I substituted and the third grade had a huge amount of work that we had to go through.  Very few kids were able to complete all the assignments.  When I taught the first graders there was less work to do, but it was still a challenge keeping them on task all day.  Don't get me wrong-the kids were great and I loved them.  In fact, I felt bad not being able to spend the time with them individually as we worked through material.  Some of them just needed some personal attention and they would flourish, but there is simply no time for individual attention.  Also, when one child gets that attention there are suddenly five more standing there looking for that their time.

I was driving to school Friday when I started thinking about how much money I was making.  I had to be at school at 8 and, although class was over at 3:40, after cleaning the room and writing a note to the teacher I wouldn't get out of there until 4.  OK, that's 8 hours and I am paid $80 for a day of subbing.  You do the math.  It's just not fair and I know regular teachers don't make scads more than I am for subbing.  This is not easy money and subs don't even get the perks of seeing kids achieve since you're only there for a day.

My appreciation for teachers has increased exponentially, along with my regret for all the subs I tormented.  I know that God is using this experience and I am learning.  I'm ready to get back to the parish, though.

Back on the journey

I thought I was done with this blog.  I thought that I had a call that was going to last.  I thought I found my niche.  I was wrong.

After a year working in the far northwest side community of South Bend my contract was not renewed.  Both of the churches I was working with thought that I did good work and it was mission/ministry that spoke to their mission, but funding that work was a different issue.  It seems like the administrative hurdles worked against continuing with that ministry.  I have found that God somehow works through the Presbyterian call process so I have to believe that God is working in this process.  God does not want to use me to extend what I have done in South Bend.

Three other congregations have expressed an interest in what I might do with them.  I interviewed with two and the third is dealing with administrative stuff.  I want to get back in the church and I felt most called to the work in the Elkhart church.  This situation is certainly unorthodox as I am starting at 1/4 time and working my way into what I hope will become a called position, but it's not the way things are usually done. 

My journey continues to be unorthodox as well-I'm now an approved substitute teacher in MI and I'll start picking up sub gigs in the near future.  I never thought I would be substitute teaching, but we have bills to pay.  It should be exciting and I look forward to this new adventure.

I haven't blogged on this blog for over a year because I thought the journey was complete, but that isn't to be.  My plan is to continue this journey blog complete with stories of work that I continue in South Bend and the inclusion of my new ventures in the school system and at various churches.

Finally, I'm not getting a motorcycle.  Some sadness, but I know Fran will be pleased.