The Substitute

One day, Miss Ropey was teaching something ahead of time. She said it was because she was hiring a substitute to teach her class while she was ill. The Recess Gang were looking forward to that.

The next day, the class were preparing for this teacher. Principal Prickly introduced them to her: Miss U. She looked quite scared. You could tell she was shook up from other classes she has had to teach. One student rudely asked for her name tag and she cried. Principal Prickly left them with Miss U. When the bell rang for Recess, Miss U emotionally told them all to sit back down. CJ told her it was Recess, a time for break. However, Miss U misunderstood the word “break” and took them to the cafeteria for drinks and snacks, quite like how it is at a work place. CJ whispered something to Vance and Miss U cried a bit.

“I’m upset with you, Rottweiler,” she wept.

The next few days, Miss U’s sensitive side inspired all of the students to show off THEIR sensitive sides. She even showed Mr Boyd how to deal with Floyd Rickshaw in a kinder way when he was picking on Russ.

On Friday, she assigned the class to do “Independent Study,” which meant working on their own on a project they care about. As part of Russ’s project, she taught him how to use self defence against bullies without the use of violence. However, CJ didn’t seem to be willing to participate, despite Greta warning her that it seems unlikely she will pass fourth grade without a project done.

When everyone had finished their projects, they displayed them in front of the class. Just, then, CJ revealed that she actually HAD a project done and explained that Miss U had acted like a weak, passive crybaby and that she had made a Get Well card for Miss Ropey, which was covered with pictures of Tigerlily from Stitch. Miss U cried tears of joy at this. Everyone signed the card.

When CJ was about to leave for home, Miss U called her back.

“Rottweiler, that card you did. It touched me,” she said.

”Everything touches you, Miss,” replied CJ, “Y’know, I wouldn’t have made this card if not for you. Maybe you’re not such a bad teacher after all.”

Miss U began to cry again. CJ asked her to sign her card and Miss U wrote “Ropey, you’ve got a heck of a class, U.” As they both left, CJ asked Miss U what the U stood for, but she declined to answer and CJ replied “You are so cool.”

The End.