Stuck Like Glue

To help offset the costs of living I have become employed at the local school district. For the most part the subbing jobs are relatively easy and low stress. I especially enjoy subbing at the high school. The kids are usually very kind, thoughtful and hardworking. I actually try to get jobs at the high school because the days are so easy. The kids in this town are raised well and are exceptionally well behaved.

I have subbed a few times in the vocational technology classes. I have found the kids a little rough around the edges, but they are usually really good about doing whatever the teacher has left for them. Case in point: I taught woodshop and the construction class worked well on their project, including using the saws with no problems. I had another class, however that was not so well behaved. Since the assignment didn’t take most of them a long time I allowed them to go across the hall to the computer lab to work on other projects. I spent the rest of class walking back and forth between classrooms to check on both groups of students. While this was happening, a crafty group of youngsters decided to change the clocks so I would let them go to lunch early. They were able to change the clock in each room while I was in the other. I was a bit frustrated when I discovered they had bested me, but I wished them well on their early lunch. I was also excited to come back for a second day to “surprise” them. Yes, revenge is sweet when you hold the power.

However, I was not able to enjoy my victory. I have a favorite water bottle. It’s metal and has citrus fruit on the outside. I bought it for a few bucks at Old Navy a couple of years ago. One period I was in the computer lab with the class. When class ended I entered the regular classroom to discover two hooligans putting glue into my favorite water bottle. I think they were trying to glue it shut. They seemed a bit surprised to be caught in the act. I however, was a bit heartsick about the fact that these seemingly wonderful students would do something so completely disrespectful. I have to remind myself that they are teenagers and thus are prone to poor decision-making. I know I did some dumb stuff when I was in high school, but I’m proud to say that I never intentionally destroyed someone else’s property. Ultimately, I think it was the blatant lack of respect for others belongings that bothered me. I had done nothing to make their lives difficult. It was frustrating to realize that they cared so little about other people.

The good news: Dad says wood glue is water soluble so I was able to salvage the water bottle.