Happening now all over social media: ย parents crowing about their children returning to school on Monday.
I know that I’m ready for school to start and normal schedules and routines to resume.
What I don’t know is whether I’m going back to school along with the kids.
As far as I know, I’m done. I was asked to be there through Christmas. On December 23, I handed in my keys and told the secretary and my grade-partner teacher where I’d left a binder containing lesson plans, attendance records and grades. I took home my Christmas tree, Nativity scene and chalk holder.
I have no idea whether the teacher whose class I’ve been substitute-teaching will be back on Monday. I guess, due to those health-privacy laws, all kinds of things have to remain secret. And if I had a health issue that kept me from my job, I’d appreciate that privacy.
As Christmas vacation comes to a close, I am left more and more with the feeling that on Monday at 8 AM I’ll be getting a “where are you?” phone call.
My mom, whose decades of experience teaching in Catholic schools give her an opinion I can count on, says that it’s not my place to chase down anyone to find out if I need to be there Monday–but I should make sure to have some school clothes ironed, just in case.
So I guess I’ll clean the leftover candy canes out of my school tote bag and make sure there are plenty of stickers, band-aids and birthday pencils.
Beyond that, I’ll have to settle, right now, for not knowing what Monday will bring. That’s been one benefit of this long-term job. I knew where I’d be each day, and what I’d be doing. For me, that knowledge provides comfort.
I might have a day off on Monday, or I might be called in. I’ll feel better once I know.
I hate to say it, but you could turn your phone off. ๐
Of course, I know you probably will be worrying about those little second graders and wondering who will be with them if it’s not their teacher. They can’t be getting a very good education if they go from substitute to substitute, which is why you were a Godsend.
May God’s will be done? ๐
You know I can’t turn off my phone, and you have hit on exactly why I’m worrying. I think second-graders need stability and routine even more than I do!
Nice living metaphor for waiting on God’s calling, whatever it might be.
It really is.
However, I am a TERRIBLE waiter. God has a lot of work to do here.
How did it go?! Prayed for you ๐
Thank you! I did not need to go in today. I’m back to “as-needed” work, which works very well for my family right now. I do know that I’ll be subbing on Friday!
Yay! So happy for you ๐ +++