Today after checking in for my substitute-teaching job at West Linn High School, I had to move my car to a different location, and decided to grab that much needed cup of Joe at the local Starbucks.
When I pulled up into the parking lot of the coffee shop, I realized that my “substitute teacher” name tag was very 
visible around my neck. My mind began racing with how I felt about myself with that title so closely associated with me.
“Just a sub.”
“Outsider.”
“Don’t belong.”
“Not a part of the real group.”
Something inside me just made me uncomfortable with people at the coffee shop seeing that label on me.
So, I decided to take off my substitute teacher lanyard and I laid it upside down in the back seat of my car, just in case someone looked in my back seat.
I’ve thought about this since then. Why was I ashamed for that moment about my title of substitute teacher, I wondered.
I think part of it has to do with something I have struggled with for much of my life — the feeling of being an outsider, of not belonging, of not fitting in.
And I think a lot of other people feel the same way, for a variety of reasons.
For me it can be jobs, friendship circles, church, and citizenship. Yep, that’s right; I was born in Germany, so while growing up, I was very aware that I was an “alien.” Indeed, I was a “resident alien” with a “green card” which means I was a foreigner in this country, until I decided to become a United States citizen almost 20 years ago. 
And, now as an adult, some of my job titles are “outsider type of jobs”: substitute teacher, freelance writer, and freelance editor. In the past, I’ve also been an adjunct professor. For each of these work positions, I am not on staff, not part of the everyday, regular folks who make these places of employment function.
We all want to fit in and belong. We all want to feel like we contribute and are an important part of the whole. We want to feel connected to a community rather than one looking in, from the outside.
I started thinking later that throughout the Bible, you see the theme of outsider, with many references noting that the people of God are “aliens, sojourners, not-of-this world.” And, Jesus was the ultimate outsider, someone who did not fit in. And, He asks us to join him, to follow him, to identify with him, even when no one else does. To celebrate that 
calling, that place, that narrow path.
I know that the most important thing is attitude. The way we approach life and our circumstances is what matters.
So, when I muse upon my work positions, I remind myself, okay, this is what I do, this is my vocation right now, these are my jobs, so embrace it. Be the best freelance writer I can be, be the best freelance editor I can be, and be the best substitute teacher I can be.
I know I’ve never thought of myself as “just a sub,” though I’ve heard that term before from students; some people may look at the role in that light. The stereotypes regarding substitute teachers may be in my head, but they are there; a “sub” can be seen as someone who is just getting by, someone who is not a “real” teacher, someone who cannot actually get a full-time teaching job, someone maybe that does not know the subject as well, or someone who is a glorified baby-sitter, and so on.
But, I know those stereotypes are not true for many substitute teachers, and I surely approach the work much differently than those descriptions. In fact, I started thinking, why not redefine stereotypes of the position I have. 
I actually really enjoy substitute teaching. Hey, I get to hang out with wonderful kids and then go home after eight hours and not have to prep for the next day nor grade hundreds of papers into the wee hours of the night. I’ve done that in my past.
So, I made up my mind up. I’ve made a deliberate choice to embrace my job of substitute teacher, as I try to embrace all aspects of my life. It’s all an adventure. For subbing, in fact, I made it Facebook official. (As people joke, it’s not real or it did not happen unless you post it on Facebook!) Before subbing one day this year, I posted that I was looking forward to subbing that day and that I was going to tryto inspire students and make them feel valued.
For that Facebook status, I got mostly “you go girl” type of comments, but one of my old high school friends, who’s also a teacher (but not a sub) said, “That’s ambitious, for a sub.” I know my friend was just being sarcastic, but I do think that is the stereotype. How can someone make a difference in a day as a “sub”?
But, I wrote back on my comment stream, that I do believe a sub can make a difference, even if it is just for a day or a moment, or 10 minutes or an hour. I approach all of life that way.
My goal as a sub — I say “replacement teacher” — is to try to inspire students to love school and to make them feel like they are important and valued individuals. I try to do this in a variety of ways. I try to be enthusiastic about the subject matter at hand, sharing what I love about it personally; I smile at kids who are passing me in the hallways; I ask how a kid who might be sitting alone at lunch how he is doing? During classes, I introduce myself and talk about my love for literature and learning and writing. I also remind students how blessed they are to be in school in the first place, when so many children in third world countries are out working the fields to put rice on their tables. In addition, I ask kids to tell me something about themselves, how their day is going, and so on.
My role as substitute is temporary and I may only reach a few kids and some kids may not relate to me, but I can try. You just never know.
In fact, I’ve been at coffee shops and orthodontist appointments with my kids or the grocery store, and I will see past students, from schools where I have been a sub, and they will say hello to me, by name.
“Hi, Mrs. Seigneur,” I hear quite a bit. Then, I’ll also hear the students, as they are walking away, tell the parent they are with, “That was my substitute teacher yesterday.”
Wow, they remember.
So, I’m reminded, we will be remembered. Why not be remembered for good?
Why not approach life, our jobs, our words, and our roles, no matter how glamorous or small or unimportant in society’s eyes, as if we matter to others. Because we do.
Even, if you are “just a sub.”
Lynn- I know you and I have this in common and it is a very unique calling. You are really good at remembering to reach out, no matter what the circumstance. Thanks for reading and commenting here.
Lynn- I know you and I have this in common and it is a very unique calling. You are really good at remembering to reach out, no matter what the circumstance. Thanks for reading and commenting here.
Rebecca- your kind words mean a lot, and yes, indeed, you never know, in a moment, how our lives will change. We can make a difference, indeed.
Rebecca- your kind words mean a lot, and yes, indeed, you never know, in a moment, how our lives will change. We can make a difference, indeed.
Andee- thank you so much for sharing your similar story. Indeed, no report cards, amen!
Andee- thank you so much for sharing your similar story. Indeed, no report cards, amen!
Cornelia, I totally love this blog post! I worked as a substitute teacher for more years than I can count. I went through the same experiences of feeling like an outsider! I interviewed for a dozen positions in two years without an offer. Most of the time, I felt like an outsider. The staff in the faculty rooms blew me off, even when I was friendly and worked to build friendships. I reached the same conclusion you did: to bless the children I got for a day.Maybe I didn’t always get it right, but Jesus in me reached out to the kids who didn’t belong. I encouraged them to include one another. I reminded them of their strengths and encouraged them, “Keep a song in your heart.” (As a music sub, they filled me with melody after melody!)
Cornelia, I totally love this blog post! I worked as a substitute teacher for more years than I can count. I went through the same experiences of feeling like an outsider! I interviewed for a dozen positions in two years without an offer. Most of the time, I felt like an outsider. The staff in the faculty rooms blew me off, even when I was friendly and worked to build friendships. I reached the same conclusion you did: to bless the children I got for a day.Maybe I didn’t always get it right, but Jesus in me reached out to the kids who didn’t belong. I encouraged them to include one another. I reminded them of their strengths and encouraged them, “Keep a song in your heart.” (As a music sub, they filled me with melody after melody!)
How very honest and well discerned, Cornelia! I know from the “sub” experience what you mean, and I agree: a “sub” can make a huge difference, just as any event in a moment’s time might change a life forever: a birth, a marraige, an injury, a purchase, a lie…You are an important influence in the lives of those around you, and that is huge! Thank you for that reminder!
How very honest and well discerned, Cornelia! I know from the “sub” experience what you mean, and I agree: a “sub” can make a huge difference, just as any event in a moment’s time might change a life forever: a birth, a marraige, an injury, a purchase, a lie…You are an important influence in the lives of those around you, and that is huge! Thank you for that reminder!
As a “guest teacher” for 7 years of my life, I can honestly say I like it WAY better than being on staff. Especially when you get in with one or two schools. Then you are like staff with none of the headache. You get to know the whole school, not just 30 kids. Soon they all know your name and you know theirs. When you lead one class to the cafeteria, another class is excited to see you and calls your name in the hallway. When the full time teacher is gone, they are excited to see you. Because you don’t have to deal with the same class day after day, you can be sympathetic to those who need extra love, when sometimes the full time teacher is spent and frustrated.
And best of all? No parent conferences. No report cards. No staff meetings. Seriously the best job ever!
As a “guest teacher” for 7 years of my life, I can honestly say I like it WAY better than being on staff. Especially when you get in with one or two schools. Then you are like staff with none of the headache. You get to know the whole school, not just 30 kids. Soon they all know your name and you know theirs. When you lead one class to the cafeteria, another class is excited to see you and calls your name in the hallway. When the full time teacher is gone, they are excited to see you. Because you don’t have to deal with the same class day after day, you can be sympathetic to those who need extra love, when sometimes the full time teacher is spent and frustrated.
And best of all? No parent conferences. No report cards. No staff meetings. Seriously the best job ever!
Ashley- Wow, your words minister to me this morning, thank you. That means so much. You really never know sometimes. I so treasure you as well, writing sister (trying to do more blogging, see: )
Ashley- Wow, your words minister to me this morning, thank you. That means so much. You really never know sometimes. I so treasure you as well, writing sister (trying to do more blogging, see: )
Dennis-that is really true. Thanks for reading and commenting! Your loyalty to Faith & Culture Writers is really appreciated.
Dennis-that is really true. Thanks for reading and commenting! Your loyalty to Faith & Culture Writers is really appreciated.
I love this, friend. You ARE making a difference everywhere you go! You make a difference in my life. Love you, writing sister.
I love this, friend. You ARE making a difference everywhere you go! You make a difference in my life. Love you, writing sister.
You never know how much you are appreciated. If you weren’t available, who would ?
You never know how much you are appreciated. If you weren’t available, who would ?
Kirk- it is a fun district to teach in for sure…and you are very kind regarding our days in high school!! Super sweet- thank you for reading my post and commenting.
Kirk- it is a fun district to teach in for sure…and you are very kind regarding our days in high school!! Super sweet- thank you for reading my post and commenting.
The term ‘alien’. Cornelia, you were just as ‘American’ as anyone, black or white, brown or yellow in high school. We all adored you!
The term ‘alien’. Cornelia, you were just as ‘American’ as anyone, black or white, brown or yellow in high school. We all adored you!
Better be careful! If the kids like you that much, the school district might be banging your door down to teach there permanently!
Better be careful! If the kids like you that much, the school district might be banging your door down to teach there permanently!