In the seven weeks of substituting at Crescent Heights, this was the first classroom staff meeting we've had. Ms. Flores gathered us around a kids table in the dark, while the kids were still napping. She read through a paper she had prepared, basically an overview of what's coming in the next few weeks. When she opened the meeting to comments from the rest of us, Ms. Sosie brought up protocol for changing the diapers. It got confusing with Ms. Jodhi settling Sophie on her lap and Ms. Flores not understanding if there's no formal training or tutorials that have been given to the aides at Crescent Heights, and Ms. Sosie learned a specific protocol at a different LAUSD school. As the teachers, Ms. Sosie and Mr. Wayne discussed, kids started waking up. Zarah came up to me having to pee, the last time I didn't go immediately, she wet her pants, so I left the meeting to take her.
Eventually, Ms. Sosie started helping with the bathroom duty, while the teachers and Mr. Wayne sat at the kids table. I started prepping the food, then Ms. Nadia and Ms. Flores told me I had to learn how to turn off the TV screen and computer in the classroom afterschool. Apparently someone complained that the afterschool team unplugged the TV and it takes a long time to boot up in the morning. Ms. Nadia was very defensive with the IT tech, I did not understand why I was there. More office politics among teachers.
Ms. Sosie used the quiet library area on the floor to change the diapers. She laid a mat on the carpet and had the trifold blocking board shielding her and Mr. Wayne. I couldn't help her because I got pulled to learn about the TV.
It felt crazy. I thought I needed to be trained to change diapers like Ms. Sosie, but then I needed to be trained on the TV screen, and the kids were running wild.
When we were outside, Ms. Flores came over to talk to me. She said she's glad that I'm still around. She was surprised we hadn't had a meeting the entire time she's been gone, for 5 weeks. I told her that Ms. Jodhi was off for three weeks, then got sick when she came back, so she hasn't been here. Ms. Flores said that she lets the afternoon teacher take the lead and she does it her way in the morning. I felt like she was hinting or implying that she and Ms. Jodhi don't have the same style. Which Ms. Jodhi said outright to me the first week. It's funny how it's like indirectly being confided in with Ms. Flores and Ms. Jodhi just vents it out. I just nod and agree with whoever is talking to me.
After Ms. Flores and Mr. Wayne left, and it was only me and Ms. Jodhi, she told me that the afterschool group can't color or do artwork anymore. She said Mr. Wayne said there was coloring on the table and so we can't let the kids color anymore. Ms. Jodhi and I used each other to warn the kids that if they don't listen, we're telling the other. I heard Zarah yell "Nooo" after Ms. Jodhi said she would tell Ms. Rae. I can't believe I'm effective as a threat!
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