Substitute Teacher Experience
Back in my sophomore year, we had this substitute who was probably in his early 30s. He was hands down the best substitute I’ve ever had because he was genuinely nice. One day, I walked up to him with what I thought was a silly question, and before I could even finish, he interrupted me with a firm “No.” I tried asking again, and he shot down my question once more. I could tell something was off, so I just laughed and walked away.
But then he really let loose about how he felt like a failure and started criticizing us sophomores for not being able to handle our futures. Honestly, I didn’t take it to heart; I’d heard similar things growing up poor. But it struck me how differently some of my classmates reacted. Many seemed genuinely upset, and it made me realize how entitled some high schoolers can be. They get so emotional over a little criticism, and many come from wealthy backgrounds where they’ve likely never faced much adversity.
I’m grateful for my upbringing because it’s forced me to grow up and face reality. I notice that my peers often hold back from trying new things because they’re too focused on maintaining their image.
It sounds like you had a pretty intense experience with that substitute teacher! It’s interesting how a single moment can lead to such different reactions among students. It’s true that everyone has different backgrounds and experiences that shape how they respond to challenges or criticism. Some students may find it hard to handle tough conversations, especially if they’ve been shielded from difficulties in life.
Your perspective on growing up poor and the lessons that come with it is valid—many people find that overcoming adversity helps them build resilience. However, it’s also worth remembering that everyone’s journey is unique. Some kids may not have experienced hardship yet, but that doesn’t mean they won’t in the future. It might be helpful to approach situations like this with empathy, as we never truly know what someone else is going through.
Ultimately, those experiences, whether positive or negative, can shape us in meaningful ways. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!