European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 9, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 4sub teachers deserve to get combat pay David Miller guest columnist As i begin my fourth year As a Dodds teacher i have been reflecting on my first experience in the system. I had decided to substitute at my wife a elementary school until i could find a full time High school position. No problem i thought. In a a College educated Guy and i like ittle kids just Fine. So when i got my first Call to sub a first Grade class teacher in Auto Accident probably out for several weeks other teachers will help with lesson plans a i met the Challenge with my Best Johnny Apple seed Demeanour. Well after the first hour the lesson plans went out the window. It was All i could do to keep some of the kids from doing the same either on their own or with my assistance. By the end of the Day i was Glassy eyed and feared for my own safely a and in a a big Guy. I believed those first graders were capable of throwing is out the window. I took very Little Comfort in the knowledge that i was a a probably too Large to fit through it. I asked some of the other teachers if what i experienced was the Norm. They knew of at least nine substitutes or teachers who at the hands of these Little dears had suffered kicks bites scratches punches or who had been spit on cursed at threatened with scissors Etc. I gracefully declined the principals offer to return the next Day. I wanted to mention something about wild horses or combat pay. In a not sure the principal quite understood what i was up against until he got one of the Little Darlings into his office. The Little fellow after stomping on the principals toes and reorganizing his desk was asked not to return to school for five Days. Of so i failed to provide meaningful instruction to this class of first graders. Ill press on. What i find most disheartening is that in this Long procession of battered subs not one Parent even made an inquiry As to what was going on. Not one. In fact at a dinner party my wife and i had a Chance meeting with the parents of a girl in that infamous class. The conversation went something like a yes we have a daughter in mrs. So and sons class and Well she says they had a new teacher today and something about a  they weren to concerned in the least. I was about to enlighten them when i Felt a Sharp kick to the shins from my wife who is also my social etiquette adviser. In general Dodds is As Good As its stateside counterparts but substandard conditions can arise in even the Best schools. The key is that parents have to care enough to ask Little Richie or Sarah How their Day at school went and then really listen for the answer. Kids May exaggerate or get the facts wrong but you can get some clues As to what a going on in the classroom. Parents if you have any doubts tactfully ask the teacher if you could observe a Day of class a out of curiosity or better yet Volunteer to help Cut and paste or file papers. Most elementary teachers will jump at the Chance for a helping hand. Then if you see something you done to or do like discuss it with the teacher after school and if necessary work through the principal. At the secondary level it becomes All too apparent which of my students have a solid elementary background and which have had a shaky experience. However with the right kind of parental support these kids can overcome a few shaky subs like me. David j. Miliar is an English teacher and coach at Frankfurt High school in wast  dream Waits another year Steven Murphy guest columnist recently i wrote a letter to my aunt Helen. She lives in Chicago and is a die hard cubs fan. Most of you probably done to know what that is. However if you Are one you can certainly understand the frustrations i feel in being overseas. The season is almost Over and most of the talk All summer has entered on the White sox Chicago a other team. Who cares about them you see a few weeks ago the cubs were on a hot Streak. Winning game after game. When this happens i feel like anything is possible. I know deep in my heart it is another Case of too Little too late. But hey eternal Hope is the Backbone of being a die hard cubs fan. I miss Harry Caray too. I have not seen one game that he has broadcast this year. Every time i ask my in Laws to Send me a tape of a won game they mail a a a Bozo a circus show instead. Could this be a message and who is this new Guy that got my dream Job anyway in a Over Here protecting american interests and this Man is sitting in my seat. In a talking about the broadcasters Booth at Wrigley Field. Announcing alongside Harry and Steve Stone almost every single Day. Something is wrong with the american dream. Where did i go wrong How did i miss my calling what is going on Here i guess there is Only one thing to do. That is to resort to the old cry a wait until next year a Arr Force sgt. Steven f. Murphy is assigned to the 564th civil eng so Einsiedler Hof West Germany. Feedback what would you he doing today if you Hadnot joined the military sgt. Andrew Wilson 12th eng in Derheim West Germany id probably be in school getting my degree or working in a factory. Who knows Sarah Mccall family member living near Aschaffenbur West Germany if i Wasny there with my husband or not married id be in school majoring in child psychology. Spec. Shawn Kieley 2nd in 6th inf Erlanger West Germany id be managing three barbershops instead of the one in be got now because its too hard to keep up with the paperwork when in a overseas. And id probably have a masters degree from College. 2nd it Curtis Palmer c co 9th eng in Aschaffenbur West Germany if i Wasny to in the army id probably be working for my dad. We own a Little business Back Home and id probably be helping him out. Staff sgt. Ervin Beanum 71st Maint in Firth West Germany id be in College studying architecture or math. But in be been in seven years and ill stay in As Long As they let me. Compiled by stars and stripes staff sunday september 9,1990