Priya, 26, holds a master's in applied mathematics from UT Austin and subs while she waits on a full-time university position. She's covered calculus three times at Westlake High in Austin, and all three times, every student asked to stay after the bell. (Calculus. After the bell. Voluntarily.) One kid who hadn't turned in an assignment since October suddenly submitted six make-up packets in a single week. His mom called the school to thank the "new teacher." We're not going to pretend the motivation was purely academic, but the grades went up and honestly? That's a win. She did not get the university position — the school district made her a competing offer immediately.