Subbed A Freshman Math Class Yesterday

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16. I have a story about substituting ...

Last edited Sat Feb 28, 2026, 01:36 PM - Edit history (1)

When I was a Sr. in college, a friend told me that I could be a Substitute teacher if I want to make some money.
So I signed up, got tranined and started substituting.

One day, I was asked to substitute for a math teacher at a local high school.
Obviously when a substitute teacher appears at your class, the students immediately think "Free Day"

I read the lesson plan from the permanent teacher, and started teaching, much to the disappointment of the students.
(Although I found that Fr. & So. were disappointed, while the Jr.'s & Sr.'s appreciated it, because of their SAT's)

One class was learning about Cross-Multiplication. Described it and taught them how to do it. Even had some students come up to the chalk board (Didn't have marker boards back then), to give it a try.
I thought it was pretty cool that they understood it.

A couple of weeks later I got a call to substitute for the day, for the same teacher.
The students already knew me, so it was no big deal returning.

At lunch the Math Director for the High School, pays me a visit and starts asking me if I was interested in teaching.
I told him that "teaching" is a calling and at the time, it wasn't calling me. I had visions of working on the Space Shuttle (which never happened).
Then he tells me that when the class had a test on Cross-Multiplication, everyone in the class, got every C-M question correct.
He said that doesn't happen everyday.
He then tells me, if I change my mind, I have a position at the High School.

Also, being 22 years old at the time, I never had that many 18 year olds flirting with me when I was substituting at the High Schools.