Substitute teachers, often underappreciated, underpaid, and disrespected have the ability to shape the minds of students just as much if not more than the teachers they have every day. Their efforts to maintain the order within the classroom and to keep the class's learning on track can be extremely stressful between dealing with students, teachers, and administrators, and honestly, there are a few who should have been recognized for their commitment and bravery in the classroom.
In my town by the time I was ready to graduate everyone from middle school to high school had had the same substitute teacher at least once, it seemed like he lived at school sometimes to be perfectly honest. He would always be called in last minute and could cover any class from introductory courses all the way to AP and it didn't matter what field of study it was. Due to the fact that his interests were varied throughout academia, he had such a wide range of knowledge and practical know-how he could explain anything or help us figure it out ourselves.
When he would sub for chemistry and there would be yet another boring video he would make jokes through it to make sure that we were paying attention or commentate on the important parts so we had no excuse not to write them down.
There was no sitting around being bored towards the end of class because once work was finished we would get to hear about how what we were learning applied in real life, or his band(s). The validation that what we were learning wasn't useless provided the motivation to keep trying when something seemed too hard.
End of class discussions also helped us to learn more about the people around us and their experiences. He encouraged us to get to know each other instead of going through the day with blinders on.
If you were having a bad day, he would always ask how you were doing. If you needed someone to talk to he would be there, he was always around, and somehow always positive and upbeat, which let's face it isn't the attitude normally associated with high school.
By the time I was getting ready to graduate high school, essentially my entire graduating class had become friends with him and if you added up all the days he had filled in, he had been there as much as a full-time teacher. From 6th or 7th grade all the way up through graduation he had our backs, our respect, and our support.
So thank you, to the substitute teacher who supported us throughout tumultuous years of middle and high school, helping us to become the young adults we are today.