My Story

I started teaching in 1977. Yes, six decades ago. I always wanted to be a teacher. I taught math and science, then mostly science for ten of those years. Then I was a private, Christian school principal for the balance of those years in education.

When I retired from “principal-ing” I wondered what I was going to do. I was too old to swing a hammer and too timid to be a consultant. I know, I’ll be a substitute teacher! And what a terrific decision that was!

My first year as a substitute had a few bumps along the way but overall it was a great experience. I worked for an agency that provides subs for the public school districts where I live. I was a long-term sub for a teacher who was on paternity leave. Fifth grade. Old enough to get my dumb jokes. (Now called Dad Jokes.) Young enough to listen to an old guy. I then did the same for a fourth-grade teacher. During the Christmas break I was asked if I would like to be the building substitute in a building with pre-school and kindergarten students. Yes, I would. I was enriched by the caring staff and the fact that no two days would be the same.