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Janet/AR/host - Welcome to the Sub teachers meeting!
MyK - I am in a long term right now in Spec. Ed., Resource Math 2nd thru 5th.
chris - Janet, have you missed much school?
MyK - No, Dallas area.
Janet/AR/host - MyK, I sure am saying prayers that you get a teaching position for the next school year!
Janet/AR/host - chris, I am unable to sub a whole lot due to having a full time job!
MyK - Thank you Janet, I am for you too. I cannot do another year of subbing for this district, then not getting hired. Feel like I am plenty good to do the worst of subbing jobs, then no brownie points!!
chris - What is your job, you lucky duck!
Janet/AR/host - I feel the same way here, MyK!
MyK - Wow look at the background we have in here! This is beautiful-is it just in the meeting room, or all over teachers.net?
Janet/AR/host - chris, I work in the radiology department as a sec. in a local hospital. Have worked there for 20 years!
Janet/AR/host - Just in the meeting room I think!
MyK - Janet have you interviewed any?
chris - Janet, then why the interest in subs? Is it a part time thing?
Janet/AR/host - MyK, no not yet! Not any calls for any yet.
Janet/AR/host - chris, I am subbing with hopes of getting a teaching job!
Janet/AR/host - i sub on my Paid time off days that I have accumulated!
MyK - I interviewed with a new princ., and she was looking for experience in second. I had 3 1/2 months last spring. She HAS three already for second w/NO in second, but in other grades. So mine should have counted for a little? NOPE!
chris - Janet, are you certified?
Janet/AR/host - chris, Yes I am. In elem. ed/special ed/and social studies
MyK - Oh Kathleen I have experience in that too! Beating head against wall, kissing up, begging, etc.
chris - Wow! Do you think we all are victims of the "Cinderella Complex"?
sue - I have been sub. teacher 8 years.
Janet/AR/host - MyK, been there and done that and still doing it. LOL
MyK - Sue are you interested in full time?
sue - yes
Janet/AR/host - sue, are there any issues that you had as a sub we should discuss.
Janet/AR/host - chris, YUP
Janet/AR/host - chris, how long have you subbed?
MyK - That sounded trite and I do not mean it to. Some people really want to sub and just sub. I would give my eye teeth for a 'real position' but not everyone wants it.
chris - How about making the dream come true?
sue - trying get full-time job my area
chris - 16 years.
Janet/AR/host - chris, I sure am trying!
Janet/AR/host - chris, are you still subbing?
sue - I keep hanging in filling out applications,but someone more experience always gets job.
Janet/AR/host - WOW....everyone in here is looking for a teaching position! That is great! We can all help each other with tips!
Janet/AR/host - sue, I know how you feel!
chris - I haven't got aclue, sad to say.
Janet/AR/host - Well I sent two mini protfolios out with apps this past week. Hope that helps
MyK - Me too, Sue! Just when I think I have really aced an interview, I hear someone Brand spanking new has the job, and I end up subbing for her! Several times(read that always) wonder why she has it and I do not, when I have to clean up the mess she has made of desk, kids, grades, etc.
MyK - Janet what all did you put in them?
sue - My husband keeps wanting me get out of substituting because phone wakes him early in mornings. I love teaching. I work almost everyday.
Janet/AR/host - MyK, Title Page, coverletter, resume, transcript, certification papers, discipline plan, ed. philosophy, and special ed philosophy and diploma!
MyK - Sue, I could have said ALL that. I love long terms just because I do not get a phone call at 5 a.m.!
Janet/AR/host - sue, how does the last minute calls work for you?
sue - Same thing happens here MyK-People come in here from out of state get jobs.
Marcia - I haven't started subbing yet. I am new to teaching elementary. I have taught pre-k for 25 years
Janet/AR/host - I usually get the scheduled days for subbing.
MyK - Janet I have put together all that, plus a few letters of recc I have gathered, and certificates from extra classes I have taken. I thought about doing a little thematic unit.
Marcia - I am going to apply for subbing, but also for new positions that will be available this fall.
Janet/AR/host - Marcia, you are in for a real treat! I love subbing but want to really show what I can do as a teacher!
chris - Janet, can call your own shots, as far as assignments go?
MyK - I can Chris. That is the beauty of it.
Janet/AR/host - MyK, when you go to an interview take an extended one with examples of lesson plans and units!
Marcia - Me, too. I taught a 1/2 at a private school and that inspired me to finish my education and get qualified
chris - Janet, great idea!
Janet/AR/host - chris, no. I follow what the teachers leave for me to do.
MyK - When I have had those worked up nobody wants to see them!!!
Janet/AR/host - Marcia, that is WONDERFUL!!!
sue - Janet I tell last minute calls I'll be there as soon as I get dressed. They know I'm reliable by now.
MyK - Chris, I meanst substitute assignments! No, I do whatever those teachers leave behind, plus throw in whatever I come up with to fill extra blank spots!
Janet/AR/host - MyK, That would give me the clue they already know who they want to hire!
Janet/AR/host - sue, They know I am reliable, too.
Janet/AR/host - I have a webpage for subs. Would you all like to visit it?
MyK - Janet this district hires roughly 300 teachers a year, and in 900 hirings since I have been certified, I really doubt they have had all 900 people lined up! I DO know that that DOES happen, but daggone it, not every time!
Janet/AR/host - One app. I was required to send in 6 reference sheets!
Marcia - My worst nightmare is the child that says" make me" I have one in pre-k now. I currently teach at a head start center.
chris - Why do I get the feeling that our job has a built-in communications problem?
MyK - Even our learned superintendent said that he could not understand hiring perfect unknowns from other states, when a tried and true sub of this long was standing right there waiting for a job!
Janet/AR/host - MyK, Your right about that! But I sure can tell when they already know who they want to hire and are just going through the motions of interview.
sue - I work almost everyday,but no benefits with retirement. My husband is custodian & carries same insurance as I would have if full-time teacher. I also do homebound teaching after school.
Janet/AR/host - MyK, I agree! They say subs are always in line for positions but then no one calls to interview.
MyK - Marcia, it is scarey when a 200 poound 8th grader says that-and they do!
chris - Jnaet, do you know about the "progressive" super in the Alhambra district?
sue - interested in sub web page
Janet/AR/host - chris, no I don't. Do tell!
Marcia - OH Gosh! Chris... are you from southern Ca. I grew up in San Gabriel
Janet/AR/host - URL is http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/5146/sub.html
MyK - I call secretarys myself and ask for interviews. If I waited for them to call it might never happen. It is very disconcerting when I have just subbed somewhere and come home, read on the district web page that there was an opening at THAT school I could have asked about when I was there!
Marcia - no I fight a 40 pound pre-k who runs away and says make me...
Janet/AR/host - Marcia, that is a very scarey situation!
chris - Marcia, no. I meant Arizon. I am blanking on her name.
Marcia - OH I couldn't believe the world was that small...
Janet/AR/host - MyK, I have tried that and the Sec. always tells me either they are not interviewing and then I ask for the super. and then it is He is unavailable right now.
chris - She wrote an article on attracting subs. among her tricks is that all administrators sub once ayear!
Janet/AR/host - chris, that is a laugh, Supers. subbing?
Janet/AR/host - Chris, it sure is. I just think superintendents here would NOT do it!
Kathleen - wow, I'll bet those teachers prep their plans well when the super is the subber!
MyK - Every admin. should teach a couple of days a year! Every reg. ed. tchr should teach spec. ed., too!
Janet/AR/host - I think they should too!
chris - Nor here in Cambridge, although I've suggested it.
Janet/AR/host - MyK, that is a good idea!
Janet/AR/host - How about reg. ed teachers going into someone else's room at the last min. to sub!?
MyK - The reg. ed. teachers always think the sp. eds have it so easy, no recess or lunch duty, only a handful of kids, abbreviated lesson plans, etc.
chris - Kat, that's for sure. The union might squeal unfair evaluation. Hah!
Janet/AR/host - MyK, also without complete lesson plans or materials ready!
Janet/AR/host - Does everyone think that this online meeting is useful to them?
sue - Some reg.teachers need go back and see what it's like to sub,& not have lesson plans left or not be able find things they take for granted.
Janet/AR/host - I think we are getting a lot of frustrations out with this online meetings.
MyK - At the school where I am now, any little behavior is sent to Contrent Mastery for the smallest project. We have had kids in there doing cut and paste. I know they could do this is regular classroom. It is unreal.
chris - I think just communicating among what can be very isolated people is helpful.
MyK - Chris is right on target. Some school treat subs like second class citizens, and there is very little communication.
chris - I have been a big advocate for sub workshops.
Janet/AR/host - MyK, some kids think of the dentention room as play! this is what I have seen in the primary grades here.
MyK - Chris, ours are a joke.
Janet/AR/host - chris, there aren't any sub workshops here. One does not even have to be certified here to sub.
sue - Last week I subbed Jr.High Math-Teacher only had afternoon plans-decided take all day 7:15. No a.m. plans. Lovely. I had to creat and hope students truthful about assignments.
MyK - In Content Mastery, which is separate from our Alternative Learning Center-which IS for behavior, they are supposed to get one on one, or as close as possible, to help with what they cannot understand from lesson in room.
chris - At least you have some, but I agree they can be superficial. They have to go with some kind of union support.
sue - You have to be certified teacher to sub here.
Janet/AR/host - sue, I will not sub for Junior high at all!
jade moore - What are some generic assignments that can be used for all classes?
Janet/AR/host - MyK, I really like the alternative school here!
sue - I have mostly been Jr.high this year.
Janet/AR/host - jade moore, what do you mean?
Janet/AR/host - I have some ideas on my webpage of fillers and ideas.
sue - Jr.High requires good set of nerves
chris - Jade, I'm interested in system-wide frameworks for sub plans. Is that what you have in mind?
Janet/AR/host - I make up some things for the students to do and bring it along with me.
MyK - Jade within reason, reading a story and then answering standard questions about it. Doing multiple-operation math, playing games with spelling words, making words out of a long one.
Janet/AR/host - sue, I sure do not envy you at all. I do not like subbing for Jr. high.
MyK - Jr. High requires high level of guts, determinatin and low level of hearing, sensitivity, and much Valium!!!
Marcia - FOr primary grades, could you choose a favorite book and create a lesson to use in the classroom? Do the teachers get mad if you don't use their plans? Do all teachers leave plans? You can see I am a real novice...
chris - Myk, right on!
Janet/AR/host - Marcia, here that would work, most teacher's do not leave enough to fill in the time!
sue - Most jr.high teachers I talk to take Prozac. I guess I'm too stupid admit I need it.
Marcia - oh I have the low level of hearing..
james/ca - once upon a time I subbed k-12, I may have some insight
chris - I wish school departments made better use of subs' talents.
MyK - I have had VERY few experiences with no plans in a short term situation. Some did not take the students as long to complete as the time allotted so there was room for me to expand.
jade moore - Thanks! It would be great for subs to have some assignments for those times when teachers fail to leave plans.
Janet/AR/host - Well even though I am hearing impaired myself....Jr. High is a tough group!
Janet/AR/host - jade moore, I always take more work and the students know it! LOL
Marcia - no thanks. I have one of those at home!
sue - I can always come up with something to do.
chris - My hearing, at least my inner ear, has suffered.
Marcia - And a high schooler who thinks school s****. She is giving me fits.
james/ca - has anyone ever noticed that rarely will a sub even see a plan book. Usually they get a piece of paper.
Janet/AR/host - james, please share the insight with us!
MyK - Jade there are cirriculum books at teacher stores and even Sam's Club that you could lay in a supply of and have on hand. I have bought a few for long terms, and make packets of worksheets for 'when you are all done.'
Janet/AR/host - james, I now just get a paper in a couple of classrooms. But they are in classrooms I am use to subbing and the teacher is comfortable with me doing the lesson.
sue - Students know I will make up assignment if I have to. Never let them talk you into doing nothing because they have sub.
james/ca - Well Janet, when I was subbing, it was not hard to determine at once which teachers had their act together...
Marcia - Can subs go into the teachers room and use the copy machine? I am storing up the information.
chris - James, this is the first half of the "double whammy", the other being disruptive students.
Janet/AR/host - James, YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!
MyK - My all time worst was an eighth grade English class-no plans. Another teacher met me in office and said 'she wants you to meet the kids in the library and have them check out books.' Period. It was a nightmare. Half the kids were taller than I and all had Some Attitude Going On. I never went back. Left note. 'Call me if you need a sub and HAVE PLANS MADE UP>'
Janet/AR/host - Marcia, Most of the time if one asks it is usually ok!
sue - Marcia I use copying machine when I need to.
james/ca - If I am going to expound upon any subject matter, I sure would appreciate seeing what the antecedant lessons will be
jade moore - MyK, thanks for the suggestion>
MyK - Marcia, yes you can most places. Some schools have numbers which must be entered into machine as codes to keep track of who is copying how much.
Janet/AR/host - MyK, here it is a requirement that the teachers have a sub folder and everything laid out. But some still do not do it!
Janet/AR/host - jame, me too! It would make things a lot easier!
chris - Ah! Are we supposed to continue the education of the classroom or just "hold the fort".
james/ca - then I will be sure not to steal any punchlines from the regular teacher
Marcia - I know a few of the local teachers, and they do need codes. In that case what is the next step. I hate to spend my hard earned cash photocopying.
Janet/AR/host - Chris, depends on the teacher!
chris - And the system!
MyK - Janet requirements are only as good as the people who follow them allow them to be, as we all know. I have had LOTS of outdated seating charts, which the kids just LOVE. I have had CLASSES in rooms on paper that did not exist. Ridiculous.
Marcia - James, where are you in Ca. I live in northern Ca.
james/ca - Anyway janet, I'm big on long term planning, it prevents curicculum cramming
Janet/AR/host - Most of the time I feel like the worksheet queen! LOL
james/ca - I'm near Eureka marcia, home of the long term plan of attack
Janet/AR/host - james, it sure does! But as subs we are not able to do that! LONG TERM PLANNING!
MyK - I HATE it when all they leave me to do is worksheets! And yes, James you can sure tell in 10 minutes if a teacher does not have discipluine or her act together.
Janet/AR/host - MyK, right you are!
Marcia - cool and wet. I live in Solano Cty. west of Sacramento
chris - Are you aware of the California Project to Organize Substitute Teachers C-POST?
MyK - Chris, some of us are more organized than THEY are!!!
james/ca - But janet, when teachers do know where they are and where they are going, it makes a subs job just that much easier
Janet/AR/host - I can tell right away MyK .
chris - Do tell!
MyK - Yes, James, IF they tell US!
Janet/AR/host - That is right James but there are some teachers that are not organized!
sue - My K I agree we are more organizeedoff street than they are.
MyK - Many have told me that it is a good thing they have a full time position, they could NOT do what I do subbing.
Janet/AR/host - I totally agree!
Janet/AR/host - I would like to thank everyone for attending the meeting! It was GREAT!
sue - I agree with that MyK-they would never survive being rehired today.
MyK - The hardest part of the job, though, is walking away from kids you have become attached to, knowing that the regular teacher does not see all the beauty and whimsy and wonder in her kids.
jade moore - When I taught school, the kids hated for me to be out. They had much more work to do. I used to leave tons of assignments.
james/ca - right janet, that's where a sub's statement of their personal standard to the class can buy some time if lesson plans are lacking
MyK - When I get on full time, I will Never Take A Day Off!!!
Janet/AR/host - MyK, that is the truth! Some of the kids I am told are trouble makers are not necessarily that way with me!
sue - I feel same my K-but some castrophe will probably happen
chris - And vice versa!
james/ca - that's good jade, keep the ball rolling uphill, like sysiphis
MyK - Janet, I swear they try harder with a new face! Several have told me that the best thing I did for them was give them a second chance!!!
Janet/AR/host - Same here!
MyK - Sue, if I have to crawl on my belly like a reptile!
james/ca - janet, and kids can tell in the first few minutes what the day will be like
Janet/AR/host - I do not like being told who the trouble makers and shinning stars are!
Janet/AR/host - james, they sure can.
MyK - Me neither, Janet. Usually the shining stars are little prissy pets.
james/ca - MyK, giving second chances is next to godliness
Janet/AR/host - MyK, they sure are!
MyK - Mine always say that I laugh more than other adults.
Janet/AR/host - did we loose you sue?
MyK - hanks, James! Little people need second chances, DAILY!!!
james/ca - janet, for that same reason, I don't look at cum behavioral observations
sue - Screen went blank. I had relogg in.
chris - Don't we all!
Janet/AR/host - When I interned for Sr. High Spec. ED. I laughed a lot with the students and they respected me cos i tried to be a real person!
james/ca - until at least a month has passed
Janet/AR/host - The cooperating teacher did not do that and i do not think she liked that part about me.
james/ca - hence the term 'be real' janet, from the jr. hi set
MyK - One first grade I had this winter, something happened and I laughed long and loud. The whole room went quiet. One of the 'pets' said that Mrs. Soandso NEVER laughed like that.
Janet/AR/host - LOL @ james. That is so true!
sue - I guess I need log out to eat. I fed kids earlier. I didn't eat.
jade moore - great, good night
MyK - Janet that happened to me too and I think that is one reason I am still subbing after three years. She threatened to burn me with the dist., and by golly she did.
Janet/AR/host - night sue, hope to see you next month's meeting!
chris - Good night all, until we meet again.
james/ca - I fully enjoyed subbing at the jr. hi level though
Sunnie - evening friends--mind if i join you??
sue - James I'll loan some students won't enjoy!
MyK - Hey, Sunnie, you nearly missed it! We are just straightening up in here, dumping old cokes and stuff!
Sunnie - hi janet--i saw some of the conversation--having been on both sides of the fence-so to speak--i found it very interesting
Janet/AR/host - I do not know what she said about me! I never saw the observation sheet frome either cooperating teacher!
Janet/AR/host - Sunnie, do tell!
Sunnie - i can tell you that good subs are hard to find and worth a gold mine
Janet/AR/host - Night jade, Hope to see you next month!
james/ca - sue, I enjoy seeing every facet of human behavior, at all of their incipient levels that's my secret
Janet/AR/host - Thanks Sunnie! I wish all teachers felt that way here!
MyK - Janet mine wrote a separate letter. My supervisor from Univ. said I had to sign it. I wrote 'with many exceptions, reservations and under duress' above my name. She was livid. I was past caring.
Sunnie - janet--i firmly believe that subs should be paid teachers pay--and in some places in va they're getting close to that now
Janet/AR/host - Sunnie, Cert. subs get $44.00 a day!
james/ca - sunnie, but being too good at subbing may become restrictive in attaining a full time position, they'll attempt to mine you!
Janet/AR/host - MyK, I totally understand! That is terrible!
MyK - If I ever DO have to have a sub when I start teaching, I will leave her lunch money, Coke money, and access to anything of mine she needs.
james/ca - Janet, in LA unified it's $120!
Janet/AR/host - james, absoulutly right about that. Sub shortage is the reason for that as well!
MyK - Amen, James!!!! Preach it, Brother!!!
Sunnie - lowest here is about $60----highest i've seen in this area is around $70---more for 21 consecutive days--not necessarily in the same class or the same school
Nancy/RI - Hello! sorry I'm late...
Colleen - hello all
Sunnie - james--that may well be true in some areas---but our area pays teachers pay if subs want to work full time---
james/ca - Myk, I used to do that as well as invite them to dinner, if they were an exemplary sub
Colleen - WA subs make 80$$
MyK - Gotta go, hubby having separation anxiety! Good meeting, Y'all!!! Shudder to think what I might have done by now without all the support of my buddies!!!
Janet/AR/host - WOW......AR subs are definately underpaid! LOL
Janet/AR/host - night MyK, hope to see you here next month!
Sunnie - have a good night myk
MyK - We get $65 per day certified, $90 long term.
Janet/AR/host - Nancy, it is no problem! Join right in!
MyK - (((((Buddies))))) *Poof*
Sunnie - we have such a sub shortage here that the divisions are lowering standards to 18/hs grad---with training provided by the school division
Nancy/RI - I range $55 to $75 in my area
Colleen - I guess I am lucky to sub in WA area - 80 isn't bad!!
Janet/AR/host - How are ya Coleen?
Sunnie - my 19 yr old son just finished 1st yr college--if he wanted to sub he could start work next week
Kathleen - Janet/AR, still going like the Everyready bunny?
james/ca - Janet, do you know the Sylvester McMonkey McBean character from the Cat in the Hat? That's usually the kind of sub I ended up with, only they never had a fix-it-up chappie!
Janet/AR/host - Everyone, please visit my sub webpage. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/5146/sub.html
Kathleen - Janet, that is a nice page :-)
Janet/AR/host - Kay, YUP I just keep going on and on and on.........LOL
Sunnie - evening kat
james/ca - bookmarked it
Janet/AR/host - LOL James!
Sunnie - thanks janet
Kathleen - I'm logging off. Thanks Janet and everyone for representing the Substitute Teacher community so well with your dedication!
Janet/AR/host - Colleen has one as well! I will have it here for everyone next month!
Janet/AR/host - Thanks Kat!
james/ca - So janet, I usually took the fish home with me
Janet/AR/host - Hope to see everyone at the next months meeting! Just look on the sub page for the date and the chatboard at teachers net
Janet/AR/host - james, did you catch alot of the fish? LOL
james/ca - this was quite enjoyable, sunnie, you missed out
Janet/AR/host - Bye everyone until next month!
