I'm working as a substitute teacher these days and as they say, "it's not just a job, it's an adventure." I work for 3 school systems so I get a lot of teaching calls. I stay pretty busy, working 3 to 4 days each week. I teach grades 1-5 and high school English and Social Studies.

A few observations:

You can tell a well-run school as soon as you walk in. Things run on time, everybody knows what they're supposed to be doing and how to do it, and it's clear who's in charge. Good principals are worth their weight in gold.

Good teachers engender learning and loyalty in the students. Kids also know that they're accountable for their behavior when their regular teacher isn't there. That makes it a lot easier for a substitute.

Schools that emphasize fitness are doing the kids a huge favor. One of my favorite schools has a "fit club" each afternoon where the kids go to the gym and play games. They have to earn this privilege so it's a real win-win situation.

Kids like books. Correction: they love books. They'll sit down with a 500-page Harry Potter edition and be engaged all afternoon. Reading to - and with - your kids is the best thing you can do to improve their success in education.

4th and 5th graders are the most interesting people I know.

Every day I teach, I learn more from the kids than they do from me.