Ms. Wallace
Long-term sub, Ms. Wallace, helps a student prepare and review for the student’s next timed write. Ms. Wallace replace Ms. Cooper who left on maternity leave on March 18.
March 28, 2019
For many of us, a great teacher can affect us even after we leave their class. This happened to Olivia Wallace, better known as Ms. Wallace, in high school when her freshman English teacher inspired her to become an educator herself.
“I will always remember Mr. Brandts standing over my desk in 9th grade English one day, telling me that I was a strong and natural writer. Before that moment, nothing about me had ever felt strong or natural. I was a shy freshman who did not feel particularly talented at anything. Strong was never me. Until Mr. Brandts, an intelligent, capable, caring, trustworthy adult told me that I was. . . . Mr. Brandts was the spark, but my desire to teach has been growing for quite some time now,” said Wallace.
After Ms. Cooper, the previous English teacher, went on maternity leave, Ms. Wallace stepped in to teach.
Although Wallace is excited, “I have never been a long-term sub before, but I have been a regular sub with Huntington Beach Union High School District.”
The English department has provided a lot of insight and helped Wallace with their expertise and experience. “The English department is so welcoming. Each day a teacher has popped in my room to check in on me, and ask me if I have any questions during these first few weeks of getting adjusted. I am so thankful for such incredible support” said Wallace.
The students of San Juan Hills High School have also helped Wallace learn to become a better teacher. “I love that I get to be both a teacher and a student in this profession. The students here bring so much joy to my day, and teach me about so much from the correct way to say XXXtentacion and how I can best help them learn,” said Wallace.
Maybe the most unexpected part of being a long-term sub for Wallace is just how much support and information the previous teacher, Courtney Cooper, had provided her with.
“I never thought that I would have so many resources left for me. I thought that I would have to create new lessons each day, but Mrs. Cooper left me a lot of information and handouts. I also never thought that I would get to work with a co-teacher. Right now, I teach English II with Ms. Martinez, and it has been a great learning experience,” said Wallace.
“Each day, I fall in love with the small moments of teaching: the smile of a student who always frowns, the raised hand of someone who does not normally participate, the light bulb moment of a student who is struggling. I can’t wait to fall in love with it more and more over the years,” said Wallace.
So far, Wallace has been long-term sub for three weeks and plans to finish the school year. In the future, Wallace says that “I would love to land a full-time teaching job so that I can continue to be in the classroom doing what I love!”
