> When I was teaching, the scary thing about being sick and missing classes was the possibility of getting the wrong substitute

> My favorite substitutes were retired teachers. You come back from the flu and find your class room in order, papers graded, and actual teaching has been done.

That's who I was blessed to have, Howard. Which explains why I have barely given a thought to my classroom. My sub is a retired teacher who is completely unflappable, and is someone I *know* will deal with anything odd that comes her way. We both know it's not the regular grind that makes the wheels fall off - it's the bizarre schedule changes, kids having meltdowns, AV failures, etc.

te "God Bless retired teachers - one day I'll be one!" ach