Friday was my first day of work as a substitute teacher in the Anchorage School District. I know for some people this might sound like signing on to work in Hell, and I can see why one might think that. I applied, mainly, because the schedule is my own and completely flexible! Also-- I get to hang out with kids (they keep me grounded), put my kid-wrangling skills to the test and see the inner workings of a bunch of schools.

My first day was with a class of 6th graders, and it wasn't too bad. I felt a little like a glorified baby sitter until I had to teach Algebra!! (I don't remember subs ever actually teaching...) We got to read a current events kidzine about Cuba, which was great because I had just watched a documentary about Cuba a few nights before (Check it out: The Power of Community, How Cuba Survived Peak Oil). The best part of the day may have been when I first pulled into the parking lot and got out of my car-- A bunch of kids at the front door were hollering and pointing across the parking lot. There was a bull moose headed right toward them!! The parking monitor was yelling at walkers to get out of the way, and barking into his radio to the office staff ("Hey there, Cheryl, we got a moose on the grounds. I repeat, moose on the grounds! It's headed toward the playground. I repeat..."). I don't remember anything that exciting happening at my grade school.

All-in-all, I don't see this as a way to majorly affect the life of a child. But it's the perfect opportunity to be a little unexpected spark of love and fun and light for somebody who might need it. ;)