Skoolaid: I sort of take back what I said about subs

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

I sort of take back what I said about subs

Sometimes when you're sick and you're rushing to get everything together, your colleagues are awesome. I just wanted to say that.

Also, on the day I had to take for my defense, my sub was awesome. She works in our school a lot, she knows most of our students by name, and she's terrific, even with the ones we love the most.

Who am I?

I'm Melissa Barton. I taught English in CPS for 2.333 years before opting for early retirement. I was also a delegate to the Chicago Teachers Union for just under nine months. I trained to become a CPS teacher in the AUSL teacher residency program.

Before my stint in CPS, I was a full-time graduate student at the University of Chicago, where I finally earned my doctorate this past December. My doctorate is in English Language and Literature, which should not be confused with English Education. Before I moved to Chicago, I taught for two years at Westtown School, a Quaker boarding school near Philadelphia.

I started this blog in June 2010, the week I started the AUSL residency. I found that I needed a place to collect my thoughts about my experiences in the AUSL network, and to voice my opinions on education and education policy, because I realized very quickly that I wouldn't be able to give them a hearing anywhere else.

I disagree with many of CPS's policies as well as some of AUSL's. But I believe fervently in the mission of both: we all want to help the children of Chicago succeed.