On Subbing: The First Four Years

(Paperback, 2nd ed.)

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Description

On Subbing is a quiet classic. It's impossible to put down, or forget, Dave Roche's vivid, self-deprecating, tales of woe from working as a substitute teaching assistant in Portland's elementary schools in the early 2000s. He writes about the good days and the terrible ones, helping kids who can't function in normal classrooms focus on their work, keeping kids from fighting, and keeping his composure while they tease him or adorably flirt with him. It's a real heartwarming ticket to putting a smile on your face and turning your day around. Illustrations from Clutch McBastard, Nicole Georges, Keith Rosson, Nate Beaty, Shawn Granton, and Aaron Renier.

Reviews

It isn't easy to write about day-to-day life in schools, but Roche has really nailed it in this zine collection. --The Oregonian

I wish his students knew how cool Dave is. His writing is witty and sarcastic, but still kind of sensitive. --Clamor Magazine

Awesome! Really funny, cute and often touching stories by a substitute teaching assistant. The writing is honest, earnest, and frickin funny. You get cute little drawings by the author's friends and lots of entertainment. --Broken Pencil

[Dave's] writing style is akin to David Sedaris, and he masterfully balances his story so that it is not only heartbreaking and bittersweet but quite often hilarious. --Profane Existence

Author Bio

Dave Roche is a public school teacher and author of the zine About My Disappearance. He lives in Chicago.