This article recounts experiences of the author with his assignment as a substitute teacher for a 6th-grade math class. After he was hired, the author was shown an instructional video on how to avoid contact with spilled bodily fluids and shown to his room. There are challenges aplenty for the long-term substitute, such as mastering the new computerized grading system, staying up to speed with the curriculum and holding detentions. But the hardest challenge is that no matter how many times the teacher says, " Please, be quiet," all students, having clearly heard the teacher, will not be quiet. But as with all jobs that seem impossible at first, things got better.