No substitute for learning … a new career

Ms. Baker explains what it is like to be a fill-in teacher at Watertown Middle School

BRIGITTE A., Watertown Splash staff

Have you ever wondered about substitute teachers? About how they get treated in class, or if they like their job?

Sandy Baker is one of the many substitute teachers that work at Watertown Middle School. Before she started teaching, she worked at Filene’s Basement as its creative director. As the creative director, she would travel everywhere to do photo shoots and meet all sorts of different people. She continued her career for 13 years.

“I loved my job,” said Ms. Baker.

Unfortunately for her, Filene’s Basement closed its stores and Ms. Baker decided to become a substitute. She said that the job is very difficult.

“You never know when you’re going to go to work,” she said.

The Watertown School Office calls her every morning at about 5:30 a.m. to tell her if she is needed as a substitute.

She notices that whenever there’s a sub, all the kids think that the class is a free-for-all. This isn’t a lie. Kids will play any trick possible on the substitute. In fact, about a year ago, a group of kids got out of taking a test in Spanish by stalling and asking questions the entire class already knew the answers to. The whole time the teacher didn’t notice that she was being tricked, and, in the end, never passed back the quizzes.

Ms. Baker says that she is a very nice person. If the kids do what they’re supposed to, and listen to all the directions, then she won’t say anything. But, obviously, if they don’t follow directions — even though she doesn’t like to — she’s going to need to say something.

Ms. Baker doesn’t like her job now as much as she did her job before, but she still enjoys working with all the kids.

–May 11, 2010–