The fourth week of November.  Time to consider all the things for which we’re thankful.

The common answer is family and friends.

But consider for a moment a special group of people who deserve much more thanks than they are presently given.

On a daily basis, these people deal with a group of rebellious and sometimes annoying teenagers – or, even worse, middle schoolers. We give them quite a bit of grief, considering all they do for us.

These extraordinary and under-recognized people are substitute teachers.

Think about it: without substitute teachers, students wouldn’t be able to go on field trips. No one would be there to replace a sick teacher.  Teachers would never be able to meet to improve their teaching methods.

Basically, our school system would collapse without them.

In November alone, there have been 335 substitute teacher days in the Tyrone Area School District, according to Faith Everhart, whose job it is to schedule subs for the district.

148 of those sub days were for teacher professional development or school assignments.  The other 187 days occurred because of teacher illness, personal days or teachers on leave.

Substitute teachers in the Tyrone Area School District are paid $80.00 per day, with no health benefits or paid time off.

Mr. Don Friday, a popular and long-time substitute teacher, was a full time teacher for 33 years before becoming a sub. He says that he “absolutely” enjoys his new job as a substitute teacher.

It may sound like a contradiction, but the job of a substitute teacher is both the same and varied each day.

Subs are expected to follow teachers’ lesson plans, but, as TAHS substitute teacher Gwen Miller says, “It’s interesting because you don’t really know what you’re going to get into each day.”

Friday agreed, saying, “Every day is different, because you never know who you’re coming in for.”

“What I remember most about being a sub was how different my days were,” said Mr. Todd Cammarata, who subbed for a semester before getting a full time teaching position. “One day I was in the shop supervising students making cabinets and the next I was reading Hamlet with a senior English class.  Every day was a new adventure.”

Another challenge is the unpredictable schedule of a substitute teacher.  While some substitute jobs are scheduled months in advance, other times a sub may not know where, or even if, they are working until 6:30 am.

What’s amazing is that substitute teachers enjoy their work, despite the fact that a few students give them a hard time.

“Students do push the boundaries with substitute teachers,” said Miller.

One of the worst days she ever experienced as a sub was when a student climbed onto a desk and did a back-flip off of it.

Friday’s worst experiences are when students are disrespectful, because he always tries to treat students fairly and with respect.

Being a substitute is very stressful at times, but substitute teachers say they’ve had mostly good experiences at Tyrone.

“The interaction with the students lets me feel like I’m making a contribution,” said Friday.

“It’s a successful day when the students are on task and… [have] minimal behavior issues,” said Miller.

Most of the time students don’t stop to consider substitute teachers.  The substitute teachers don’t seem to mind, though.

“We’re not in it for the recognition, but I feel I’ve been treated very fairly,” said Friday.

Miller jokingly said, “An increase in financial recognition would be great!”

According to Miller teachers are always appreciative of subs, although students often are not.

Middle school students are particularly challenging.  “Can I say they’re crazy?” said Miller.  “Some days they’re very hyper.  It’s like they’re on a sugar high all day!”

But when students take the time to thank a sub, such recognition is clearly appreciated. “Some students do tell me they love it when I’m a sub,” said Miller appreciatively.

So, as we start to think about what all we’re thankful for this year, perhaps we shouldn’t just give the traditional answers.

This Thanksgiving, stop to consider our amazing substitute teachers, and tell them “thank you!”