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Janet/AR/Host - Welcome to the Substitute Teachers Meeting
Janet/AR/Host - Renee, tell us what you expect from sub. teachers.
Renee - what advice do you need?
Renee - All I want is the sub to keep my students in control and the room in order that is top priority
Renee - Most of our subs lately are not teachers..it is difficult to find substitute teachers here
Janet/AR/Host - Renee, I agree! One should leave the room the way one finds it.
Janet/AR/Host - Sub shortage is hitting everywhere!
Renee - I subbed for a year and a half before teaching full time.....discipline is the most important thing
Renee - The children need to be kept safe, that is more important than rushing through a lesson plan
Janet/AR/Host - Renee, I think we all agree with that. But being a sub is hard to discipline and keep control for some.
Beti - I work in an area where there is a real shortage of subs!
Renee - Remember to use positive reinforcement instead of yelling
Renee - Bring in some of your own games and materials in case you have extra time and need an activity
Janet/AR/Host - Sub Shortage is keeping administrators from considering them for full time teaching positions.
Renee - Janet what do you mean?
Janet/AR/Host - Renee, if they have good certified teachers subbing they do not want to loose them as subs due to the sub shortage.
Renee - The subs we have do not necessarily even have degrees
gr8tch - Carry a business card if you sub well. We do fight over the sub we want to keep
Renee - The sub shortage is sometimes related to the fact that the qualifeid subs left a distrcit to get a full time job
Janet/AR/Host - I bring along flash cards of all kinds. Books , puzzels etc
Renee - If you dont get control of the children in the first minute the day is ruined
Janet/AR/Host - Renee, are subs often called at the last minute where you are most of the time?
Arlene - I bring along Brain Quest cards
Renee - We do not have enough subs ...anyone we can find can sub ...
Janet/AR/Host - Arlene, where can one get those cards?
Renee - We dont have subs janet..often the teachers will have to take over other teachers classrooms
Janet/AR/Host - Renee, Same here. Do not need certification to sub.
Arlene - I found some at Sam's Club and also book stores
Stanley - Do any of you check out your read alouds from the public library as opposed to buying them? I've been very happy with that strategy here in San Diego.
Renee - and being in the inner city often the new teachers get upset after a bad day and dont want to sub again
Janet/AR/Host - Stanley, I have gotten a lot of books from yard sales.
Renee - If you are going to sub save the work the children do for the regular teacher to see
Stanley - Hmmm, yard sales... maybe I should stop passing them by, huh?
Janet/AR/Host - Renee, same here. I feel that subs should all be certified or have some kind of training before going into a classroom. How do you feel about that.
Beti - I think if they only used certified people here they would be in bad shape!
Renee - I think they should..but since we have no subs....I dont know what they can do Janet
Renee - Whatever you do , do not touch the children
Janet/AR/Host - Stanley, one can find a multitude of books and games at yard sales.
Arlene - Renee- what are the least qualifications you can have to sub?
gr8tch - Janet, are you saying they alllow subs in classrooms who haven't taken a standardized test like the CBEST?
Janet/AR/Host - gr8tch, yes!!! one just needs a high school diploma to sub here.
Stanley - Renee, I heard that, at a school with a miserable reputation, a sub once called the office to ask if someone could relieve her for a moment so she could use the restroom. Then she never returned!
Beti - In our district you can sub if you have 30 college credit hours.
Renee - Basically anyone is subbing right now....ususally it is a teacher in the school...such as a title one teacher, covering the class
gr8tch - Undergrad hours?
Janet/AR/Host - What else does one take with them when they sub?
Renee - Subs have cried in front of my students....if you are going to react like that do not sub....
Renee - You have to go into subbing thinking about discipline...I don't care if all the lessons are completed
Janet/AR/Host - Renee, I tell the students up front that it is up to them if they have a good or bad day. But I also told them I would have a good day not matter what.
Renee - When you walk into a classroom as a sub tell children things will be different today...do not let them tell you what the 'real" teacher does
Renee - That is good..Janet....the children have to know it is their choice what type of day they will have
Carol/tx - Hi, sorry to intrude, but our district here just announced that all substitute times can be used for time served, and include pay increases and TRF apply
Renee - I have taught all grades thru 5 ...now I have first
Carol/tx - I am a regular teacher, but thought that I would announce that
Janet/AR/Host - Carol, WONDERFUL! Thanks for coming!!!
Renee - Never let more than one student use the restroom at a time..just a tip
Renee - If you are going to sub...think about class mangement techniques...I have come back to my room so many times to find it a disaster
Janet/AR/Host - Renee, Do your subs go by your lesson plan or do you make up another one for subs only?
Beti - Renee, I sub in secondary school, and I pretty much find I have good classroom control, if the teacher I am subbing for has control.
Stanley - Renee, so you have no problem with subs who bring in their own positive incentive system?
Renee - Please do not use bad language in front of the students.....and "crap" is considered unporofessional if not poor language
Renee - My subs go by my lesson plan ...but I let them know to do what they need to , to keep the class running smoothly...dont worry about finishing it all
Renee - Stanley if they did that..I would ask for them back!! That is what i want them to do
Renee - The only thing you have to be careful of with treats....etc, is food allergies
Janet/AR/Host - Renee, that is great! The teachers I have subbed for if one is certified they pretty well let them go by their lesson plan. I bring lots of extra work for those who finish early.
Renee - Hope find a lot of games and books to bring with you when you go to a classroom to sub
Renee - Most of the problems happen during "down time"
Janet/AR/Host - Hope, let the students know up front what you expect from them.
Renee - and do not give the children hard candy..even the older ones
Janet/AR/Host - I like to bring stickers. I also make buttons and they like those as well.
Stanley - Renee, I can't work any other way. See, I KNOW my system, I don't know yours. One less thing for a stressed 52-yr old mind to have to deal with, right?
Janet/AR/Host - While the students are working on classwork (independently) I read to them. It seems to keep them calm.
Renee - Even if you are scared to death when you sub..do not let the kids see that..or they will be out of control all day
Renee - When a sub goes into a classroom..they have to work their own way Stanley and you tell the children that is what you are doing
Stanley - Janet, how do you make your buttons?
Renee - Never let the students tell you how the "real " teacher does it...the sub is a 'real' teacher
Kurt/CA - one trick I used when I was a sub was to tell them I was a teacher at a school which was off track,
Janet/AR/Host - Stanley, I bought a button maker and i make a graphic and a saying on them. Like a shinning star (graphic) Mrs. Hill's Shinning Star on it. - Badge-A-Minit - http://www.badgeaminit.com/index.html
Beti - Amen Renee, if the students start telling me they always get to do something, I pretty much know, they have never gotten to do that before.
Renee - Reading to the students calms them , if you have to read to them all day , read to them...
Stanley - Renee, precisely, & that is what makes the day interesting for the kids: A little bit of me combined with a lot of what they're used to.
Bailey/2nd - Classroom teachers do not enjoy a two page negative note on their return.
Renee - Stanley will you come to PA and sub for me??
Janet/AR/Host - I tell them that i am Mrs. Hill not their reg. teacher. LOL That usually stops them.
Beti - Bailey, what if the note gives good and bad news???
Renee - If something horrible happened in my classroom I want to know...I dont want to find out from the parents when I get back
Janet/AR/Host - Bailey, I made up a worksheet for me to leave the classroom teacher.
Renee - And if something horrible is happening tell someone.....do not wait and write it in a note to the teacher....
Bailey/2nd - Seems like our district's sub always leave very negative notes.
Janet/AR/Host - Renee, exactly. One can tell what happened in a brief message.
Arlene - Janet, what is included on your worksheet?
Kurt/CA - I always write a note that tells the teacher, what was completed, what was not completed, any particular student they will need to deal with, and those students that helped out
Stanley - Thanks, Renee, but I hear it snows there -- bad, BAD for a SoCA native. I've been listening to Grover Washington Jr. since he 1st started recording, but even HE'S not enough to get me out of here!
Bailey/2nd - Janet, can I get a copy of your worksheet?
Janet/AR/Host - Subs should arrive early and meet the teachers around them for support!
Renee - Please do not rearrange the regular teachers furniture and leave things scattered all over the room...that has happened when I have had subs
Janet/AR/Host - Arlene, It is on my website for one to print out if anyone is interested. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/5146/sub.html
Renee - when it snows..teachers are sick.....good time to sub stanley
Bailey/2nd - Unfortunately, not all other teachers in the building are as friendly.
Janet/AR/Host - Renee, I would never rearrange one's classroom. One is totally out of line by doing that!
Renee - All I need is a note saying how the day went..I noticed when the room is a disaster..the sub leaves no note...I can still find out who the sub was
Renee - Janet I know....and also do not take down bulletin boards...and hang work up all over the room ....
Janet/AR/Host - Renee, I cleaned up a room after one sub and another teacher helped me clean up. The Principal called that sub and said she would not be back at their school!
Renee - Never depend on the other teachers in the building..you have to be confident in your own ability..
Renee - My room takes two days to clean up..and no matter what kind of day the sub had..they can clean up before they leave
Janet/AR/Host - But Renee, Subs need to know someone is around that will if one does need them for an emergency of some kind.
Renee - If you are going to sub get up in the morning every day and get dressed...ready to go in and sub at a seconds notice
Janet/AR/Host - Renee, i totally agree. Do you not think there should be some kind of support for the sub from another teacher close by?
Stanley - Rearranging things -- tacky! Isn't there an old computer cliché about leaving an invisible footprint? That's what I aspire to do when I visit an classroom.
Renee - I realize that Janet...but sometimes there is no one around which is sad..but true
Renee - I worked with a teacher that would always help my sub....but unfortunately its not always like that
Renee - Stanley please sub for me..LOL
Janet/AR/Host - I have been lucky. I have had teachers put a student in time out in my room! LOL
Renee - Just do not go into subbing thinking you can send the child to the office every time they misbehave
Renee - Janet are you subbing in an inner city?
Janet/AR/Host - One can bring word searches with them. One can make one from the puzzelmaker website!
Janet/AR/Host - Renee, yes I am.
Stanley - Janet, I've had that time out thing too. But the Ss have always behaved impeccably!
Renee - yes ...Janet the sub should bring things with them.....
Janet/AR/Host - Does anyone have any issues they need to talk about? Subs I mean you.
Janet/AR/Host - Does anyone have problems with physically challenged students being in their classroom? I feel the reg. classroom Teacher should let the sub know so one can be prepared.
Renee - When you sub you should stay at school as long as the regular teacher is expected to stay
Stanley - Janet, here is a timely one: Under what conditions should we accept long terms? I.e., should we ALWAYS feel obliged to accept them?
Renee - What is the worst problem a sub has when they go into a classroom?
Arlene - Renee- why should a sub stay as long as the reg. teacher?
Renee - I am just wondering since I havent subbed for so long..what do you need the regular teacher to do to help you sub better
Jay - I am a French teacher...high school...all I expect is that the person speak French...and....a short written report that explains what you did and how the students behaved
Janet/AR/Host - Stanley, If one can absolutely accept what you can. But in my case I have a full time job in a hospital and have to be called ahead of time. I am unable to accept long term.
Renee - because they are expected to clean up the room and correct as many papers as they can, in our district the sub is a teacher and stays as long as the regular teacher
Renee - Stanley accept them!!!!!
Stanley - Renee, as an officer in our county's Visiting T's Assn I hear the most complaints about lack of or incorrect seating charts. However, I think that is primarily an issue for middle or high school.
Renee - if you dont have a seating chart....you take a piece of paper, have the child write name on it and leave it on their desk..
Kiki - I believe that the substitute teacher should be able to expect well laid out lesson plans, but they should also be able to improvise. They also should have all work corrected and the room left in an orderly fashion.
Stanley - Renee, I always have in the past. However, there may be some situations that are unworkable. E.g., a SPED vacancy position when you have no desire to return to school, & that would eventually be necessary in order to become contracted.
Renee - Just remember the regular teacher may have an emergency...and the sub is a teacher...and should have ideas of their own....
Renee - Do not correct tests
Renee - If you turn down any long term position it will make it harder to be hired full time
Stanley - Renee, what about correcting OBJECTIVE tests -- e.g.,spelling?
Jay - It is helpful to establish a protocol with the teachers you sub for and try and limit who you sub for...be fussy
Renee - I would just prefer my subs never correct my tests...we all have different ways of grading
Renee - well here you cannot be fussy...if I need a sub....I will take anyone I can get....
Renee - If you start saying no you are limiting your chances of a full time job if that is your goal
Stanley - Renee, I hear you -- assuming the request comes from a live body. But sometimes we get "vacancy" requests via the computer just as we receive other jobs.
Renee - Stanley if you really do not want the job....do not accept it....
Jay - Take the time to get to know as many of the staff in each school as possible..we often informally approve or dissaprove as a staff of the subs that come in our school
Renee - I am just saying that people turn down long term sub positions then wonder why they arent hired full time...a long term sub is how I got started
Renee - Just control the children......that is all I really want a sub to do when I am out for a day...keep them safe
Renee - Janet obviously did not mean to leave her meeting...she probably cannot log back on
Stanley - Renee, I totally agree about it being an EXCELLENT bridge. Lots, LOTS more work for but a smidgin more $, but very good for testing your professional wings.
Renee - You just have to sub.....and never give up...and dont turn any offer down
Renee - Subs need to be confident when they enter a room
Arlene - I subbed for 6 years before student teaching- It sure make st tchng a breeze
cricket - a sub-pack is beneficial
Renee - that is true cricket have lots of books, and extra activities
Renee - Subbing can be fun
cricket - a blast
cricket - enjoy and love the students
Renee - It can be fun..but you have to be strict...
Arlene - I have my backpack packed awaiting that first early morning call
Lucy - I teach first grade...and I think it is the teacher's job to overplan and have those things ready for the sub.
Renee - The students will test you.......be firm , but do not yell
Renee - That is a good idea arlene
Lucy - Our subs don't get paid enough to do the planning also.
Renee - Cricket it has to be done in a positve manner
cricket - it is better to be prepared as a sub so we are on top of the situation
Renee - teachers plan as much as they can...a good sub can fill in the extra time...
Lucy - However, I do know of teachers in my own building that don't prepare well enough for the sub.
Renee - if you dont plan to fill in the extra time..you are going to have a room full of out of control students
Renee - That is why a sub has to be good...Subs are real teachers
Janet/AR/host - I want to thank everyone for attending the meeting and hope you will attend next month.
Renee - Never be alone with a student...
Renee - Just had to add that janet
Janet/AR/host - Thanks to Renee for all her help tonight!
Renee - Thank you Janet .....
Janet/AR/host - Good night everyone! Hope to see you at next month's meeting!
