Urbana substitute a soothing presence at Thomas Paine

Tammie Kirby had days when she wondered whether being a substitute teacher was worth it. Like the day the kids were jumping on the tables, hiding under them, throwing things and generally wreaking havoc.

"There were days when I thought, 'You know, I'm not going to make it past lunch,'" Kirby said. "They see a sub, and they walk in and think it's play day."

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