My high school years were pretty fun. I didn’t go to parties because of stairs, but I developed great connections with friends I still have in my life, was part of the girls varsity basketball team as a manager and scorekeeper, and I was in student government senior year. Most of all, I didn’t do any work. My doctors kept telling me I wouldn’t make it out of high school alive so why should I bother with studying and SATs? When I was on that graduation accepting my diploma, I had a massive realization: I was still alive! Oh, shit. I have to go to college.
Luckily, I filled the disability quota of my local college. Once again, my doctors told me I wouldn’t survive four years of college so I did what any rational human would do with that info: Nothing. Four years go by fast when you’re the epitome of lazy and before I knew it, I was graduating and… wait. I was still alive. Shit… I need to get a job.
Did you know that some desk jobs have a requirement that you must be able to lift 50 pounds? Do you know why that is, despite never need to complete such a task? It’s so they don’t have to employ disabled people. I knew I was up against a lot when finds employment so I decided to play it safe. I applied to be a substitute teacher at the high school I graduated from. Gold.
The first time I was called to sub in 2011 was to fill in for a teacher who got sick 20 minutes before class was supposed to start. I never jumped out of bed so fast. I was petrified at how I would perform but having graduated two years prior, I knew most of the students already and they made my job so much easier and more enjoyable.
As the years went by, I loved my job more and more every time I worked. The students were so helpful and respectful. Despite them never having a teacher that looks like me, I was always welcomed and never taken advantage of. Expect for one kid and I got him suspended for it. Chump.
Substitute teaching gives me a purpose. It’s a job that I can do to the best of my abilities and get the opportunity to hear the perspectives from the next generation. I get to share my stories and be an example of achieving your dreams despite any limitations. Plus, I get to have the authority of a teacher without any of the responsibilities. Easiest job in the world.
Solidarity forever.
-Steve