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Janet/AR/host - Welcome to the Sub. Teacher's meeting!
Janet/AR/host - Hello JD, are you a sub?
JD - yes I am
Janet/AR/host - What grade level do you sub?
JD - Elementary
JD - K-6
Janet/AR/host - Me too. Are you a certified teacher?
JD - yes actually ended up certified in two states but only use the one
MartyK. - Hi .... I have a classroom, but still am working on my credential here in California
Janet/AR/host - Hello Marty K. WOw.......That is GREAT
Janet/AR/host - Welcome lee, to the sub teacher's meeting. Are there any topics anyone would like to discuss?
Janet/AR/host - I too, am certified in 3 areas.
lee - I am certified in two areas--elementary and DH
lee - ll in one state, though
Janet/AR/host - elem. ed/spec. ed/and soc. stds.
Janet/AR/host - Marty, just ask away on the board and we will help.
Janet/AR/host - What would you all like to talk about? Are there any concerns one would like to talk about?
MartyK. - How about favorite sponge activities that are fun and educational
lee - I am finishing a long-term assignment this week. It wasn't as much fun as I had thought it would be. The kids are SO attached to their teacher!
Janet/AR/host - OH those are fun. I like ones to bring a T=Shirt and put their hand prints in the middle with paint and then add some sponge shapes and their name for their parents.
lee - That sounds neat, Janet.
Janet/AR/host - lee, I am afraid that is very common and the subs get the brunt of it all because of it. LOL But I enjoy subbing.
Janet/AR/host - Lee and Marty, I have also done this with poster boards. I get a lot of boards from my full time job.
Janet/AR/host - I have a sub page . http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/5146/sub.html
Janet/AR/host - Do any of you have discipline problems?
lee - I don't know if this counts as a discipline problem, but I have a problem with the kids I'm teaching in that their teacher lets them all stand around her desk and talk to her. I can't stand that. Also, she lets them gab whenever. I like a quiet room, most of the time. I wouldn't mind if they didn't get out of hand with it.
JD - Lee- I know a lot of teachers don't even make them raise their hands...and that drives me nuts when I ask a question and a bunch of kids just shout out answers...I'm surprised they don't teach their students that!
Janet/AR/host - Lee, one thing that I have done and continue doing is have a chat with them right off the bat. Let them know upfront what you expect and what will happen if they do not follow directions.
Janet/AR/host - I also like a room quite. I also read to the students when they are doing independent activities.
lee - I tried that, and putting names on the board, taking away recess time, etc. The only thing that remotely works is threatening to call home. I can't be calling every day, though.
JD - Does anyone find it hard to sub in Kindergarten when the kids expect you to do everything just how the teacher does it!? They don't understand i don't think that you are not quite sure exactly how each and every detail is done!
lee - I think maybe I didn't keep them busy enough.
lee - I find Kindergarten difficult for that reason and others. They take so much energy!
Janet/AR/host - lee, take extra work with you and put it on a table and tell them that when they are finished they can go a pick up another sheet. Keeping them busy is the whole key.
JD - I think the most frustrating thing as a sub is trying to discipline! Most teachers dont' tell you what should be done if a student misbehaves...some send them to the pricipal while other schools want you to deal with it!
lee - My hubby always teases me that he's going to tell the girl that calls me out that I want Kindergarten! lol
Janet/AR/host - Lee, kinders are a hard group. But I do like subbing for kinders.
JD - I like subbing for kindergarten if the teacher is well organzied..i have just loved subbing for a couple and hated some because the teacher did not write anything down as to the opening stuff they do everyday!
Janet/AR/host - JD, discipline is the hardest thing about subbing! I totally agree. I like to keep control of my classroom and since I have subbed at this one particular school for 3 years the students know me pretty well now.
lee - It does help if the K teachers write EVERYTHING down!
JD - I have a couple of schools in this one district that I know almost all the students in each grade and one school has a school wide discipline! Which i absoltuly love!
Janet/AR/host - JD, that is sooooooo unfortunate. The teachers here are great about having everything ready! I am lucky that way. But I bring a couple of my own lessons along just in case.
Janet/AR/host - The alternative school here has zero tolerance. I really like that!!!!!!!
lee - I work in a small school district, and the principals are very supportive. If I have any problems, all I have to do is send the kids to them.
Ang11 - Hi, I'm new to this...but JD the hardest part about Kinder is that they are all so full of energy that you can't keep them quiest for too long. It's just not developmentally appropriate.
JD - I have enjoyed kindergarten...especailly snack time:-)
lee - JD lol I love snack time, too!
Janet/AR/host - Ang11, I totally agree! JD :-)
Janet/AR/host - JD, I like the nap time part! Most are usually ready for that.
lee - And JD, I LOOK like I enjoy snack time! lol
JD - I haven't had much experiences with Kindergarten but as I do it more and more it gets easier!
Liz/AK - Hi all! I really love subbing for Kindergarten when the teacher has a really good discipline policy. When there isn't any discipline, then they just run wild.
Janet/AR/host - Lee, me, too! :-) I am no light weigh! LOL
Janet/AR/host - Welcome Liz to the sub teachers meeting.
Janet/AR/host - WElcome Margie to the sub teacher's meeting.
Liz/AK - Thanks Janet.
JD - Well we wouldn't want to hurt their feelings if we didn't take a snack:-)LOL
Janet/AR/host - How many of you are looking for a teaching position? I am. Been looking for 3 years now.
Margie/CA - Evening, everyone.
Ang11 - Liz- I totally agree. I have been mostly working with 1st Grade at one particular school and I have seen the Kinder teacher there..SHe has no discipline and her kids have no self control!
Janet/AR/host - LOL JD, YOU GOT THAT RIGHT.
Margie/CA - Janet--I'm looking for secondary ed.
JD - I am definitly looking and really hopeing I get something next year!
Liz/AK - I'm looking for one. Going to the job fair in a couple of weeks, but I'm not terribly hopeful.
lee - Another neat thing about Kindergarten kids is, they see you at WalMart, and can't remember your name, but they know you were their teacher, and they smile and say hi and tug at mom's hand and point you out.
Janet/AR/host - I have had some teachers leave me a soda or a candy bar for subbing for them.
Janet/AR/host - Lee, that happens to me all the time. I even had one first grader as me if he could come and stay the night at my house. LOL
Margie/CA - I think the best thing I've had happen is the teacher who left more than enough work for the kids.
Janet/AR/host - Welcome Skip to the sub teacher's meeting.
lee - Wow, Janet! None of the teachers I've been in for has ever left me anything! I am also looking for a full time position.
JD - The job market where I am is going to open up over the next five years...so if i can hold on for four more...hopefully before then...I should have no problem!
Janet/AR/host - Margie, that is a blessing! LOL
Margie/CA - And the one who left fantastic seating charts!
MartyK. - i have an approach that helps in middle school of secondary ... i take role at beginning and at end of period and tell them that the attendance counts from my end of period attendance. I am also able to note behaviors better this way as well as help keep behaviors better
JD - Margie-dont' you love the teachers who leave seating charts!? The kids just assume you know them all by name...that really helps!
Liz/AK - One thing I love about Kindergarten is that in some ways they are predictable. You can assume that, for example, they cannot read. So you don't do things that you might with classes that can. First grade is very inbetween, everybody is either reading, not reading or in the middle.
Janet/AR/host - Our schools are going to all magnet schools here.
lee - I can't go to WalMart anymore without seeing a kid I know! No more going to the store looking scuzzy for me! LOL
Ang11 - So What's the consensus on work, Do you prefer specific directions or just worksheets that require no teaching? This is my first year and I'm trying to figure out if I'm normal!
Margie/CA - JD--I've made many a kid move according to the seating chart and then told them to tell the regular teacher she needs to update her chart.
Janet/AR/host - Ang11, I teach and use the worksheets as an individual activity. I teach a little and do a little guided activity on the board and then the worksheets.
JD - Ang11- I just like directions I can understand whether I teach or not..sometimes they leave worksheets and I can't even understand those because there are no directions!
Margie/CA - I get really tired of the "video day" program.
lee - Ang11, I prefer to teach, with specific directions. Worksheets are good on a day I don't feel well, but I like the teaching part the best.
Liz/AK - I like a combination Ang11. I like teaching the lessons to them, but sometimes I prefer the worksheets because I don't always know what they have been working on. The one problem though is when they leave something like Adverbs which the kids can't figure out, and you don't remember because you haven't thought of it in a billion years.
Janet/AR/host - Margie, usually on Friday afternoons the students see a movie at the end of the day around 2:00 pm.
JD - I like a little of both...some worksheets and some teaching...but all teaching works great too!
Ang11 - Thanks for the input!
JD - liz-Kids expect you to know everything and it has been since you were their age that you learned soem of that:-)LOL
Margie/CA - Our school district isn't allowed to show reward movies any more. And, anything over G has to have parent permission before showing (even high school kids).
Janet/AR/host - Do the teachers let you grade the papers and then let the students take that days work home?
lee - Liz, I'm glad to hear that someone else also has that problem!
Janet/AR/host - Lee, I have the same problem! LOL
Ang11 - I always grade the wrok and then leave for the teacher to see.
Liz/AK - I like videos in classes that are notoriously tough to teach, like Music. It gets boring, but I think that you are better able to concentrate on the management.
JD - I usually grade what I can for the teacher but i leave it for them to record unless they said otherwise! But soemtimes they dont' want you to grade it or its a test that you don't have the answers to!
Margie/CA - Janet--I've been watching "Something Wicked This Way Comes" for 3 days now (2 different teachers). I hope I don't have a video tomorrow.
Ang11 - It doesn't matter what age the kids are, Videos just don't keep kids busy very long. They get bored and then restless.
lee - I also like movies for tough classes. I try to have some kind of video worksheet for them to fill in while they watch, though.
Liz/AK - Janet-I always try to grade the papers before I leave, but I do not send them home. I just paper clip them together and leave them for the teacher to go through and enter into his/her records.
Janet/AR/host - I grade the work and send it home with the students at the end of the day. Except for tests. I let the teacher do that . I do grade spelling test and then leave it for the teacher to put in grade book.
Margie/CA - I always collect everything and leave lots of notes for the teachers
lee - That is if it's middle or high school
Liz/AK - I think I tend to write too much in the way of notes to the teacher. I end up giving a run down of the days events, and before I know it, I've written two pages.
Margie/CA - Lee-last week it was the Civil War video with worksheet. All the kids did was doodle and then ask me for the answer they missed because they were paying attention to their drawings.
Janet/AR/host - I leave notes for the teachers, too. I have a worksheet one can fill out for the teachers or the teacher can print it out for the sub.
lee - I like to leave the papers for the teacher because then she can see who did the work and who wouldn't.
Margie/CA - I collected them anyway, which was a shock to their systems. I'm sure the teacher enjoyed the variety of artwork. :)
Janet/AR/host - Liz, teachers here like a full description of the day.
lee - Liz, I leave long notes, too.
JD - I dont' write notes anymore..I made up something on my computer..kind of a layout to briefly describe the day etc. and print it on teacher paper and the teachers seem to like it! It says it all a little more breifly and more organized!
Janet/AR/host - Welcome krs to the sub teacher's meeting.
Liz/AK - The schools where I've been subbing leave a form for you to do your notes on, and then they fill out the back of the sheet that record their impressions of how I did.
Margie/CA - Sometimes I don't leave notes at all. Seems to much like tattling.
Janet/AR/host - kris not krs. Sorry.
JD - wow liz that sounds neat!
Ang11 - Liz- that's a great idea so you can get an idea of how your doing as a sub!
Margie/CA - Liz-my schools do that also. But those are official sub records and some stuff just doesn't need to go in the permanent files, ya know?
Liz/AK - I think it is good for everbody. I knew exactly which schools did that, and then went to those schools principals for reference letters.
Janet/AR/host - Margie, if notes aren't left of problems then the teacher assumes that all the students were good.
JD - I loved the moment I walked into the classroom for half a day and got a round of applauce by the students! Made me feel good and I think the teacher thought wow she must be pretty good! Or at least I felt that way:-)
MartyK. - Thanks Janet and all others ... signing off now - MartyK
lee - I've thought of doing something up on the computer so I don't have towrite so much, but I kind of like the personalized thing I've been doing. I don't suppose the teachers really care how I do it,, though, as long as I do it.
Liz/AK - Yeah, but this is their system at most of the schools, and I do what they ask for me to do.
Janet/AR/host - Bye Marty K. Hope to seeyou at next months meeting.
Margie/CA - Since I know so many of the kids, the usual problems are too much talking, etc. If it's something that I feel should be brought to their attention, like the kid who threatened to choke me, then of course I leave notes.
JD - Janet...after three years they want on your application for a new job..new references and if you have been subbing who would you put on that list?
Janet/AR/host - I take my sub worksheet with me.
Janet/AR/host - JD, I plan on getting a few of the teachers that request me all the time to do a reference letter for me.
lee - Janet, that's what I've been doing.
Margie/CA - Janet-where are you job hunting?
Janet/AR/host - One of the hardest things I had to face was one of my students was beaten to death by mothers boyfriend.
Janet/AR/host - Margie, AR
lee - Oh, man! That's horrible!
Margie/CA - Where in AR?
Janet/AR/host - Bye Ang11 hope to see you at next months meeting.
Liz/AK - What I wonder about is, a lot of schools do not consider subbing teaching experience. So, how does one get their foot in the door when subbing is not considered teaching experience, and they want teachers with experience.
Janet/AR/host - I work full time in a local hoptital radiology dept and I was there when the child was brought in. It was terrible.
JD - One of the worst things that happen to me was a student threatened another student to kill her when I was there...first day in that building...but I sent her to the office and she is a changed person now thank goodness..i think she is getting the help sh
Margie/CA - Liz-the interviews I was just one loved the idea that I'd been subbing. They seemed to think that it better prepared me for classroom troubles.
Janet/AR/host - Liz, I totally disagree with those schools. Subbing here is considered teaching experience.
lee - Liz, I've often wondered about that myself.
Liz/AK - I'm so thankful that I've never had any of that happen to me.
Liz/AK - Janet-Yes, I know. I just have never understood this. Some people on another board speculated it was because we don't have to do plans, report cards and conferences.
Janet/AR/host - Well the child lived a few days after being brought in. I went up and read to him even though he was in a coma.
lee - I think I have a good chance at getting a job with the district I'm with now. They seem to hire alot from their sub list.
Janet/AR/host - Lee, here there is such a sub shortage that we are generally left out. They want to keep the good subs.
JD - well that's great lee! When you go to a school do you ever size up the teachers as to whether they will be retiring next year?LOL
Janet/AR/host - YUP got it Margie, Thanks.
Liz/AK - lee-Be thankful. The district I've been subbing in is cutting 19.5 teaching positions, the two social workers and a librarian. Not a very teacher friencly district.
JD - Janet- over here their is also a sub shortage and one school inparticular has gotten a lot of bad publicity in the newspaper about not hiring subs cause they need to have a ton of subs and want to keep them on the list!
Janet/AR/host - Lee, I wish you all the luck. Keep us all posted. I am sending out resumes and letting schools know I am still interested and keeping my files active.
Margie/CA - JD-we've got teachers here that have been working in the same classroom since 1965! And of course, they're in my field....
lee - Well, they say there is a sub shortage here, and in at least one other district they won't hire their subs, but this one has 7 teachers eligble to retire this year, and they are going to need teachers to replace them, so they are starting to hire subs. They don't pay much, o they don't have many people knocking down their doors.
Janet/AR/host - JD, subs here do not even have to be certified! The pay is horrible $44.00 a day. NO BENEFITS!
Margie/CA - That's too bad. They were really great. Memphis one had lots of out-of-state folks, but the other was more local.
Liz/AK - Janet-Wow!! Where I've been subbing it is $110.00 and no benefits. I thought it wasn't spectacular, but I'm starting to think otherwise.
JD - yeah they hired recently the schools if you are a college graduate in any field...which i think is rediculus but they make 75 a day the same as we do and we went to college and got certified..i dont' understand it!
Janet/AR/host - Margie, I hate that I missed that. It sure would have been productive for me to have been there.
Margie/CA - Janet-I won't swear to it, but I think Ark State is going to have another fair in the fall?
lee - JD, I do size them up! lol
Janet/AR/host - Margie, can you let me know?
Margie/CA - My sub pay is $12 per hours. I could drive 1 hour north for $110 per day and after 10 consecutive days get $115.
Sue - late getting here tonight-been fixing cheeseburgers
Janet/AR/host - I will pm my email addy to ya.
lee - I make $52 a day
Margie/CA - Yep, hold on. Let me see if I can find the website.
Liz/AK - I know that they have a big fair in Montana sometime this spring, but I don't know what districts go to a fair there.
JD - yeah i do too! I sit there thinking I wonder how old she will be and when she will retire! There is one school inparticular that has quite a few people that"look" ready to retire:-)LOL
Sue - My pay is $85.72 gross pay per day
Janet/AR/host - Sue, cheeseburgers! I like my hamb. with cheese but I like them.
JD - I make 75 a day..which was just recently raised right at the beginning of the year!
Liz/AK - The only gripe I have with my district about subbing is, they don't give your total hours on your stub, so you don't know if you've been stiffed or not.
Janet/AR/host - I sure hope something opens up for me this next school year.
lee - The teacher with the highest seniority has 35 years in and isn't planning to retire for 3 more years!
Janet/AR/host - Lee, WOW
Janet/AR/host - I have worked at my full time job I have now for 21 plus years now. I am definately ready to start teaching.
Janet/AR/host - Sue, how are you doing tonight?
Liz/AK - Well, there are openings in my state, but I don't know that there are many in desirable areas. My husband-to-be is very particular and due to a tragedy in his family is committed to staying with his family business for one more year.
lee - In a way, as much as I want my own room , I will miss subbing.
JD - lee-what state do you sub in?
Sue - okk-trying listen to son read at the momentt
lee - Ohio
Liz/AK - Lee-I definitely know what you mean. The flexibility is wonderful.
Janet/AR/host - LIZ, I totally understand your situation.
lee - You, JD?
Janet/AR/host - My Mother in Law lives with hubby and I and she could not take another move. She is 83 years old.
JD - I was in an area where getting a job would have been pretty easy but my husband had an excellant job in another state so we moved...not quite as open of a job market but its getting there! But I have to wait because his job is not going anywhere!:-)
Janet/AR/host - So I am kinda limited to where I can teach.
JD - I am certified in Ohio actually...lived their almost all my life then moved to PA..not to far away:-)
Margie/CA - Janet-still waiting for the web page to load...
Janet/AR/host - JD, Sorry to hear that.
lee - Really? Where in Ohio did you live?
Janet/AR/host - Margie, Thanks!
JD - well actually I'm not to upset because most of the jobs in Ohio where i was were in schools that I might not want to teach in...I love subbing at the schools over here! Much different then the schools I was at in Ohio
JD - Lee- I lived in Akron
Janet/AR/host - If anyone is interested in visiting my website please do. Sign guestbook. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/5146/
lee - I live in Wellsville, not that far from Akron.
lee - I lived in PA for a while, too, before I got married.
Sue - I work almost every day
JD - Actually I'm over in Ohio all the time still! I think that Akron schools pay their subs 90 a day! I married/moved to PA all in one shot:-) where in PA did you live?
lee - Enon Valley and Chippewa
Janet/AR/host - Sue, I work as much as I can. I work on vacation days and days off.
Liz/AK - Listen all, its been fun. I gotta run now. See ya!!!
Janet/AR/host - Bye Liz, did you get my pm?
Margie/CA - Janet-try this http://www.astate.edu/docs/admin/sa/central/career/stuserv.htm
JD - lee-where is that exactly?
Janet/AR/host - I want to thank everyone for attending the meeting. I hope to see you at the next month's meeting. Thanks Margie.
Margie/CA - The man that I contacted for the March 7 fair was Neal Vickers. He's got email somewhere on that page...
Sue - I enjoyed time Iw as here
JD - I enjoyed it to and learned a few things:-)
lee - About 45 minutes north(?) of Pittsburgh. Enon Valley is right on the Oh/PA line, next to East Palestine.
Margie/CA - Good Luck, Janet!! I'm hunting in the Marion/West Memphis area. Perhaps we'll meet up soon.
Janet/AR/host - Thanks Margie, I added it to my favorites. I hope everyone found this meeting to be beneficial.
Margie/CA - Good night!!
JD - lee- I live just north of Pitt in Butler?! Ever heard of it?
Janet/AR/host - Margie, I hope so. That would be fun!
Janet/AR/host - Margie, My email addy is janetjmhill@hotmail.com.
lee - Yeah! Not that far away!
JD - Amazing:-)
lee - Do you know where Beaver is?
Janet/AR/host - Night everyone! :-)
