Hidden Treasures

Dear Mom and Dad:

I have to tell you, being a substitute teacher is always an adventure!  At 5:30 a.m., a computer rings our house with an assignment for the day.  A mixture of students, from kindergarten music to high school algebra awaits a visit from the next “sub”… like a special appearance behind the curtain.  Will it be a creature from another planet?  No… it’s just me – Mrs. Hott, your substitute teacher for the day!

For me, I just never know if I’ll measure up to the previous sub or home based teacher.  At barely 5 feet tall, I have met a few elementary students that tower over me.  It is not my nature to be the villain.  Oh no!  Another classroom filled with 25 students is certain to provide for an interesting future.  As I round the mountain on my way to town, I ponder what gesture will begin my day.  At times, I have literally been met with a fountain of hugs and smiles to the captain, or principal, of the establishment.

As I enter the classroom, most have the same furniture.  Desks, chairs, teacher cabinets and marker boards are consistent features in each school.  Soon, I’ll meet the students, from tomorrow’s surgeons to administrators, each classroom holds a different texture.  Part of being a substitute teacher is one just never knows what to expect.

Especially today!

As each class holds its’ unique challenges, today I had the pleasure of being the sub for Mrs. Burkhart’s 5th Graders.  And moms and dads, let me just tell you that it is a privilege to be your child’s substitute teacher.  Although I will only know them each for a short time, I want parents to know that I have found a treasure in each your children especially.  They are a delight in their smiles, creativity, and mostly in their genuine heart they have as they try their best to please me…  well, most of the time!  ;-)

Psalm 139:14 reads; “I will praise you, for I am… wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, and my soul knows very well.”

Each of Mrs. Burkhart’s students is “wonderfully made”!  Although we all have our own separate challenges and talents, we are each unique in God’s eyes; from all corners of our classroom!  And no matter what we do, whether we end up in detention or fly through the day without incident, 2:45 brings a departure for us all for home.   And as I travel to future adventures to sub elsewhere, I can only hope to discover the treasure I found today.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:34

Just let me tell you this, I believe I have found gold in Mrs. Burkhart’s 5th Grade Classroom!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Hott, the “Sub”

p.s.  By the way, the italicized words are this week’s spelling words!  Remember:  Test Friday!

Copyright © Angie Hott, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

3 Comments

  1. bonnie weber on March 4, 2011 at 7:12 pm

    great again Angie!!!! Those children have also a treasure in you. They will have another viewpoint of ‘sub”. You are going to be everyone’s favorite.

  2. julia linawweaver on March 5, 2011 at 7:00 pm

    Angie,Thanks for another wonderful story–yu are doing a great job and I love to read all of your work.Keep it up!!LOL,Julia Linaweaver

  3. Angie Hott on March 5, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    Hi Bonnie… I guess we are all a huge hunk of raw carbon, aren’t we! LOL! Thanks for reading… I’m probably not the favorite “sub” by far; but sometimes there are the coolest moments; like when I see the “ah-hah” when a student gets simplifying fractions. :-) And Mrs.Linaweaer, as my teacher sometime ago, I often think of you! Especially this week when I got to read a book to the class. Remember reading “Little House”? I wonder if our students will remember me reading Dr. Seuss???? Thanks “ya’ll”!

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