Vintage

Dear Editor,
     I retired June 1, 2009 after 35 years of teaching elementary regular education and special education students.  Today was the first day of my my life as a "Substitute Teacher"...yes, in the trenches!! I was a substitute in my home school district that I taught in for 24 years.  I didn't realize until today what a "LOWER CLASS" of people substitute teachers are made to feel like!!!  I met former teachers and co-workers in the hallway that never even made eye contact or took the opportunity to welcome me back ...to the trenches.
     Am I a lower being than I was 3 months ago when I was under a formal teacher contract with this school? I pray that the love , care, kindness and helping hand I have shared with substitute teachers in my schools over 35 years could be returned to me in some small ways........maybe that's too much to ask of the employees of a school.
    THANKS to my TRUE friends that shared hugs and smiles with me today!  I hope I can remember some bit of positive from my day......yes, maybe it was the little third graders that loved me for who I was.....a being with a caring and concerned heart.....a "real person"....their "Guest Teacher"!!
~anonymous