Substitute teachers enrich learning environment

When teachers’ schedules require them to be away from school, they should have no fear of who leave in charge of their class. BSM provides a great variety of substitute teachers that come from a host of different backgrounds and have accumulated many years of experience.

Ms.+Elaine+Barber+is+notorious+around+BSM+for+beginning+every+class+with+a+prayer.

Mary Hoyt

Ms. Elaine Barber is notorious around BSM for beginning every class with a prayer.

Mr. Setzler

Mr. Steve Setzler returns to BSM in his fifth year as a substitute teacher, after teaching full time at BSM from 1972 to 1983. He is known in the BSM halls for always having a good story to tell after getting through the teacher’s lesson plan early. After experiencing life as a full-time teacher and then comparing it to substitute teaching, Setzler enjoys not having to do all of the busy work that comes with full time teaching. If he could choose just one subject area to teach in, Setzler would pick adaptive physical education. “The most fun class is adaptive physical education, because the kids are so cute and my favorite game is duck duck grey duck,” Setzler said.

Ms. Barber

Ms. Elaine Barber is an ordained Episcopalian priest.
Ruby Strommen
Ms. Elaine Barber is an ordained Episcopalian priest as well as a dedicated BSM sub.

Ms. Elaine Barber came to BSM after serving the Breck community from 1981 to 2002, teaching in the science, PE, religion, and service learning departments, and serving as chaplain leadership in the later years of her job there. Barber’s excitement for subbing derives directly from the students themselves. “I enjoy making relationships with the next generation of leaders. I want to know the world of my grandchildren and the pressure and challenges compared to my easy world as a teen. I believe that I should use the incredible gift of good health God has given me and allow for the youth to see people my age who enjoy their lives,” Barber said. Barber is well known around the school for always starting her class with a five minute prayer, no matter what the subject may be. She carries on her love of faith outside of school. “I was ordained a deacon in 1994 and then a priest in 2003 in the Episcopal Church. I served as a priest to the All Saints’ Indian Mission from 2003 to 2009,” Barber said. She currently serves a small parish, Church of the Advant, in Farmington and has been doing so for the past six years.

Ms. Glore

Ms. Glenda Glore has worked as a substitute at Benilde-St. Margaret’s for the past ten years. She first found her love for the school in the French department. French remains one of her favorite subjects to teach along with English. “When I was in high school, I took French and I just loved it and it was easy for me, so I just continued with it. I also added English because of coming from a family of readers, it was natural for me to continue on with that, going into English and Literature,” Glore said. Being able to speak fluently in French also helps Glore when traveling to her favorite place: France. “Although I like to travel to many different places, my favorite place would have to be to France. I’ve been there many times, but everytime I go, I discover something new,” Glore said.

Mr. Nelson

After retiring from a career of teaching, Mr. Rob Nelson hoped to transition into life as a ski instructor. He quickly realized that his knees would not allow for such a lifestyle, which led him to try subbing. Nelson started subbing at Holy Angels and Blake before arriving at BSM. When not at school, Nelson can be found coaching at Holy Family, working at The Minikahda Club or spending time with his family. Throughout his 15 years spent as a  substitute teacher, Nelson sees technology as the most drastic change to the job. “We use [technology] all the time and it’s a great resource. Technology gives teachers more knowledge to pick from, more knowledge to choose from. The student to teacher relationship is still very important though,” Nelson said.