Election Section

I heard local schools were looking for substitute teachers, so I registered to take the California Basic Educational Skills Test.  

I completed an application form by filling small circles with a No. 2 pencil. I hadn’t performed this kind of activity since I was in grammar school 40 years ago. I was good at filling in the dots. I anticipated no problems with passing the test.  

One month later I arrived at Oakland Technical High School and took my place at the end of a long line of test-takers that snaked around the football field. Someone shouted through a megaphone that we would be allowed into the building soon. “Have your voucher and picture I.D. in hand,” the voice said. “Make sure you know what room you are going to and what seat you will occupy.” 

When the line moved forward so did I.  

Inch by inch I stepped toward an open door, then mounted the echoy stairs, and marched single file with my comrades down a hallway until I came to room 27J. Someone pointed at me and said, “Come in here. Hurry up.” 

“Take the seat you were assigned,” shouted a large woman who was obviously in charge of Room 27J. “You’ll see four numbers at each table. Match a number with the seat number on your voucher. Put backpacks and purses by the windows. Do not put anything under your chair. All you should have with you is a No. 2 pencil and an eraser. If you need to go to the restroom raise your hand. Only one person out of the room at a time. No talking, please.” 

I sat down as I was told to do and waited for the next set of instructions. When every seat was occupied the test booklets were passed out.  

“Don’t touch this book until I tell you to,” said the proctor. “Don’t open it, don’t write on it, don’t do anything until I say you can.”  

Everything I had learned 40 years ago in Wenonah Elementary School came back to me in a flash. Sit still. Don’t do anything until asked. Raise your hand if you need to go to the bathroom. There wasn’t any question that I’d make a great substitute teacher. I already knew the program. 

Susan Parker is a north Oakland resident and author of “Tumbling After,” which will be published next year. She can be reached at sparker@slip.net