“Hi,” said the art teacher as the I.A. opened the classroom door.
“Hi…,” replied the confused I.A., unaccustomed to seeing the art teacher at the door.
“I brought your class back. I figured I’d return them on my way to lunch,” the art teacher explained.
“What?” The I.A. looked at the classroom clock. “Where’s the sub?”
“I don’t know, but I waited until 25 after and decided to bring them down so I wouldn’t miss anymore time from my lunch.”
The obviously perplexed I.A. apologized, “I’m so sorry. I sent the sub up at 20 after to pick the kids up. He didn’t make it there?”
“Nope.”
“I really am sorry. He should have been there. That’s odd. I wonder where he is?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t see him anywhere.”
“Again, I am sorry. Thank you for bringing them back. Enjoy your lunch.”
“Thanks.”
On her way back up to her classroom to eat lunch (because, truth be told, the art teacher actually eats in the classroom while prepping for other classes, but the I.A. doesn’t need to know that) she never encountered the missing substitute teacher. She wondered where it was he had wandered off to and if he ever made it back to the classroom.
Art Teachers Hate Glitter 
One dumb question, that will help my comprehension: what is an I.A. and who (oops here's a second question) whose sub was missing?
LikeLike
I have had to do this for MIA teachers…only to hear, “Oh, I am soooo sorry, is it time already? I just had to run up to the office, yada, yada, yada…” Usually it is the same teachers each time…the ones who are always late bringing their class to art too.
Good ?s Phyl…I wondered too, but got the point.
LikeLike
Wow, that sounds like a familiar scenario.
LikeLike
@ Phyl- An “I.A.” is an Instructional Assistant (also known as a teachers assistant in NY), and it was the classroom teacher's sub who was MIA.
LikeLike
My colleague and I have dealt with that problem for years…well the one where the teacher brings the class early and picks them up late. During a conference with our assistant principals this year, we mentioned a little about that and those women had a cow! They dealt with it promptly. Wish I'd mentioned it to them a lot earlier.
LikeLike
I have several of those late picker-uppers…and since I don't have a minute between any of my classes at times there can be a pile up of children here, there and everywhere. I have sent other classes with the teacher who has dropped off their kids..HOPING that they would “get it” if their kids came in with a colleague…NOPE, still happens each week. I've also brought their kids down to (her) as well..she never apologizes, ever. I don't get it!
LikeLike
Thanks for the explanation, and yes, I think this is a common problem for all of us. Only difference is that it isn't a sub who is usually late, but a classroom teacher who should know better!
LikeLike
I deal with this every day. Not having an art room, I teach in other classes, teachers have come back 15-30 min. late before. It's always the same teachers and nothing ever changes. Why would it I'm just there to give them a break. Right?
LikeLike