Roving Sub

Site: Elementary School
Position: Roving Sub
Secondary Position: Resource Specialist 1st & 2nd / 6th grade
Grade Level: 1-6

For those that do not speak sub lingo
here are some definitions:
Roving sub: A substitute teacher who moves from class to class to fill in for various teachers throughout the day usually the teachers have on campus meetings.
Resource Specialist: It is basically a special needs setting where students come in who are behind in certain areas and need extra help. Smaller group setting, more individual attention.

Ah the roving sub position. It is one of my favorites because I get to see many different faces and visit various classrooms. Today was no different than any other day I arrived at the school about ten minutes early (as I usually do), walked into the main office and informed the secretary that I was there for a roving sub position. She asked my name and informed me that I would be a resource specialist in the morning and a 6th grade teacher in the afternoon. I was excited to be a resource specialist as it was something new to me. When I arrived in the room it was more like a library than a classroom with three different areas. In one of the areas was an aide that instantly rubbed me the wrong way, the first thing out of her mouth was " WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY CHAIR??!! GET OUT??!!" In any other setting I would have though she was talking to an animal but in fact she was yelling at a child of maybe 8 or 9 years. These outbursts would continue for the rest of my stay in this room. What shocked me more than anything was the fact that there were other teachers in the room who seemed to be perfectly at ease with her behavior. Her tirades had no specific target there were students of various grade levels in this room and they all had there chance to hear her wrath. I knew there was nothing I could do being the "outsider" that I am so i got over my initial shock and set out to do my job. I met with the teacher I would be subbing for and went over the lesson for the morning. The first child to arrive was a darling little first grader, I introduced myself as Mrs.G and informed him that we would be "hanging out" for a about an hour. We began playing a game of memory as we waited for the other students to arrive. Another student trailed in and we went through the same routine. The last child to arrive was crying and was immediately yelled at by this aide to "STOP CRYING!!" and when I say yelling I am not exaggerating, it was terrible. It soon became my mission to make this child smile. The lesson for the day was to play a round of numbers bingo and then alphabet bingo. So of course the first person to get a bingo was the upset student (mission accomplished!!) then the other two won and everybody was happy. Teaching 1st and 2nd graders is such a treat they are so cute!!

1/2 hr lunch.....

Back to work, this time I would be a 6th grade teacher. I went over the lesson plan with the teacher and she informed me that her class was quite a "wiggly" class. Yeah, this would be interesting. If they are wiggly for their regular teacher what will they be for me?? Anytime I am subbing 4th grade and up I get the funniest reaction when they walk into class and see me instead of their regular teacher. It is a mix of "Oh great..." and jaw dropping...I assure you I am not that attractive but apparently they think so. I smile, go through my introduction and everyone settles down into their seat. They listen attentively while I do this and then the chatting begins. Now as a sub I understand that there is a level of excitement that prevents them from being completely quiet so I have no expectations for it but I continually remind them to keep the noise level down and get to work. Of course there are students who begin working immediately and then there are others who do not share the same enthusiasm for their education. The rest of the afternoon goes by in this manner, overall a very good day with the exception of the ridiculous aide. So this is my question for the day:

What do you do when you see a teacher or aide abuse their power of authority and berate these children over and over again?

I am not a confrontational person by nature and honestly, I am afraid of this woman. I can only imagine how the kids feel. Also, If any parent knew how their children were being talked to and they cared about them even a little bit, they would be FURIOUS. I know I would be if anyone talked to my son that way. So what to do...I'm still thinking about it. If you have any ideas please share below.