Sleeping in class or not? That is the question

My latest job is substitute teaching for major independent school district. It is not an easy job to step into a teachers position. Since employed I have substitute taught for 6 classes. Of the six classes, I have had 2 really bad, 1 mediocre, and 3 great experiences.

It did not realize how hard it was to substitute teach until I stepped in front of those students and in most cases in a wheel chair. Let me start off by saying, I want to apologize to all teachers and substitute teachers I ever gave a hard time to. If I did this, I should have had my "shiny hiny kicked!"

My last experience really surprised me most of all. My allergies were bothering me when I woke up that morning. I couldn't even put my make up on. I was swollen really bad but couldn't call out because I was committed and there was a teacher depending on me. During the showing of a video, I had closed my burning eyes. I then proceeded to do some stretching and jerking exercises because my neck was really hurting, not to mention the head-ache I was having. I moved my neck forward and tensed my muscles, back and to the side. Held them and stretched in place. I heard the giggles. I noted a little "gurggling" which I do sometimes, when I am not feeling good. I just hoped that no one was watching me for fear of students making fun of an old lady in a wheelchair. Of course, I had a feeling they heard and watched. They giggled. I popped off and stated "What did I snore?" Bad comment on my behalf.

At the end of the day when I signed out, the principal (or v-principle) showed me a picture that a student had snapped of me with their cell phone. What must they have thought? It wasn't even a good picture. She told me it would probably end up on the web. I told the truth about my allergies and the stretching due to my arthritis. After I left the school, I then realized how it might have looked to the seniors in the classroom -- the noises, the eyes shut, the movement of my head not to mention the smart comment I made about snoring.

I came home and wrote a short letter to my HR recruiter. I realized that even though it was against the rules for the student to do what they did, I didn't feel that it warranted the student getting into trouble. (Something I should have said in the school office but didn't. I was also remembering a student who was suspended for taking the same type of picture earlier this year of a sub-teacher sleeping in class.)

Students make dumb mistakes thinking they are doing the correct thing. We shouldn't discourage the students for correcting a situation they perceive as wrong. The problem is should they break the rules to correct a situation? Depends on the situation. In this case I do not know the outcome of what happened to the student who took my picture. I know they should be counseled with but to punish no.

Apparently a parent reported it to the school, which they should. But regardless, I am an honest person and hope that all will be well by Monday. I know now it is harder for me to be a substitute than I thought. I learned a really great lesson, that I am not as "cool" as I think I am and I have to watch everything I do in front of those students.