Follow the plan Stan

You are so creative!  Friends say you're entertaining!  You love being in front of people.  You can't wait to show up and showcase all of your amazing storytelling skills.  

Great!  Start a podcast!  Write a book.  Join a traveling circus (especially if you have three arms).  The classroom is not your government-funded stage to try out new material.

  It's not your show.  You are filling in for the regular classroom teacher who is in the room every day.   There are well-thought-out lesson plans that are part of a week-long, month-long, and even year-long plan.   Your main job is to follow the plans that have been left for you.  Remember, it's not your classroom.  It's not your audience, and it's definitely not your show.  The teacher is trusting you to help the kids work through the materials they've laid out.  

So follow the plan and save the karaoke for after you leave the building.