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Substitute Teachers Chatboard

vocational hi school

by Robert Gotzon

Aug 27, 2015

looking for sub teacher in a vocational hi school

Aug 22, 2015

Does anyone know the pay for Pinellas County FL?

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12 Tips to Manage Time, Increase Efficiency in the Classroom

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Aug 22, 2015

Susan Fitzell offers indispensable instructional tips and classroom management techniques!

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The First 5 Minutes [of class] are Critical

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Aug 17, 2015

When a teacher abdicates structuring a classroom,structure is left to the student. - Harry K. Wong

What the teacher does in the first five minutes of class determines the effectiveness of the remainder of the session. Are you implementing these important practices? (Click below to read the article)

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Stressing out

by Marie

Sep 3, 2014

It's early in the year but now I find myself stressing out over things that happened over the course of the school day. Like yesterday, I let an eighth-grader pick up her younger sister. Also, I told a another student her older sister misbehaved in my class, and she said she would tell her mom about it. It does not help that I got banned from a sch...See More

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GTG On 6/25/15, Here is the thread for Amy wrote:

> On 9/05/14, Ze Povinho part 2 wrote:

>> Let us now go over some hints that can be used to try

>> (emphasis on try) to survive the day.

>>

>> 1. First of all, understand that you want to talk to

>> admins as little...See More

Jul 27, 2015

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BLUETTE Not everyone can teach...and subbing is very difficult. I
know someone who subbed once for one day...and decided it
wasn't for him.

I subbed a lot for a few years and have lots of good and
bad experiences to talk about. I taught in 10 schools in 4
districts at the start but stayed with one MS-HS after the
1st year.
...See More

Aug 11, 2015

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Subbing

by Judy

Jun 26, 2015

To me, subbing was degrading. I'm glad I quit.

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rachel I would like to hear your opinions about something.

I sub for two reasons:

1) I really enjoy the variety and flexibility. Every day is a new adventure.

2) I suffer from anxiety and depression, and think that having a class of my own would simply overwhelm me.

Aug 4, 2015

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Jean That's close to my reasons for not continuing on to become a regular teacher. I think I could do it, but my husband will retire in approx. 5 years and I don't want to be working around the clock when we could use that time to travel some. Also, I like the variety of subbing, as you do. I have depression, anxiety, some PTSD (from having grown up wit...See More

Aug 8, 2015

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Got my first LTS

by BJ

Jul 27, 2015

Got my first long-term job since my disastrous stint in Philly. I will be teaching ESL in a suburban district for approx 2.5 months. I'm looking forward to it.

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BJ Yes, I'm certified in ESL. It was fairly easy. You just had to take four courses (12 credits). They've since changed the requirement - now there's an internship and you must pass a praxis exam. I'm looking forward to the smaller classes!

On 8/05/15, pixie to BJ wrote: > Congratulations, BJ! May I ask if you have education, > experien...See More

Aug 8, 2015

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Jean Congratulations, BJ!

Aug 8, 2015

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Treated in an underhanded way

by Amy

Jun 25, 2015

Thoughts please. You were a sub at a school that had you on the preferred list, and you worked their every other day for 4 years.

Suddenly, you stop getting calls on the call out system for jobs at that school.

You are suspicious that something isn't right - something underhanded has been done to you.

Finally, in an a...See More

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pixie Ann, the OP did not say that she is too nice. She said, "the principal suggested that I might be too nice." There is a difference. I think we agree that she should not go back there but, with all due respect to your experience, I disagree with your suggestion that the OP "write the principal a letter stating how you feel about the si...See MoreAnn, the OP did not say that she is too nice. She said, "the principal suggested that I might be too nice." There is a difference. I think we agree that she should not go back there but, with all due respect to your experience, I disagree with your suggestion that the OP "write the principal a letter stating how you feel about the situation and explain that you are not returning because of the way you were treated." I say this because, although it might be extremely tempting to write such a letter, I'm not sure what the OP would accomplish. The letter may well be passed along to HR and construed as the OP not being open to criticism, not reflecting on professional practice, and rejecting suggestions for self-improvement. As a former teacher you may be familiar with the reality that teacher or sub attempts to set the record straight/defend one's self to administrators may be interpreted in those ways. If I were the OP I would quietly continue subbing at other schools and just put the past behind me.

On 7/21/15, Ann wrote: > I can imagine how you feel. I would feel the same way. I > would definitely NOT go back to that school. First of all, > you were treated in a shabby, sneaky, disrespectful manner > and for that reason alone I would not want to go back there. > I would never feel comfortable or welcome there and I would > always have their nasty behavior in the back of my mind; as a > result no one would benefit from me being there...myself or > the students. Also, you have pride. By returning to the > school that didn't want you, you would be lowering yourself > and appearing needy and lacking in self-esteem. Since you > admit you are "too nice" you will always have management > issues in some form or another and I'm certain that you would > have incidents involving behavior similar to the stealing > incident. The next time you won't be re-instated. You don't > want to go through this again ...it would be very humiliating > to say the least. Keep your pride and substitute elsewhere. > I would write the principal a letter stating how you feel > about the situation and explain that you are not returning > because of the way you were treated. Good luck and please > let us know what you decide to do. By the way I am a retired > teacher who now substitutes on a regular basis (nearly every > day). I would never tolerate this type of treatment. > > On 6/25/15, Amy wrote: >> >> Thoughts please. >> You were a sub at a school that had you on the preferred >> list, and you worked their every other day for 4 years. >> >> Suddenly, you stop getting calls on the call out system for >> jobs at that school. >> >> You are suspicious that something isn't right - something >> underhanded has been done to you. >> >> Finally, in an attempt to find out what has happened, you >> flat out ask the principal if you have been removed from >> the preferred list. The answer is an honest yes. Just as >> you suspected. >> >> In the principal's office you are told that you are an >> absolutely great substitute teacher, friendly, organized, >> follows lesson plans, etc. BUT, your classroom management >> skills are lacking. You are reminded of an incident that >> happened last year where you left a 2 page letter for the >> classroom teacher you covered for explaining that one of >> the students stole a glass vase chocolate holder. The >> principal says that as a sub you must deal more >> effectively >> with classroom management issues, and if all else fails, >> notify the administrators of the situation. >> >> But I was not removed from the preferred list until just a >> few months ago. >> >> These are my questions and remarks: >> >> 1) If the principal had a beef with me about something, >> wouldn't the right thing to do be to speak to me first >> (especially since I have a long time good rapport with the >> administrator) before abruptly taking me off the preferred >> list, almost 1 year later I might add? There was another >> issue a few months ago, involving a student being >> physically aggressive toward another student, but it was >> not my fault. >> >> 2) After our meeting the administrator asked the secretary >> to put me back on the preferred list. >> >> I actually like working at that school, but I have my >> pride. This is a tough school with students with learning >> and behavioural issues. All the students love me there. >> But >> the principal suggested that I might be too nice. I have >> never had any classroom management issues at the other >> schools I routinely sub at. >> >> Needless to say, I feel betrayed and offended on how this >> was handled by the principal - I thought we had a great >> above board rapport. The principal sometimes comes into >> the classroom to shake my hand. And lately when the >> principal sees me say "I haven't seen you in ages". Duh, no >> kidding, especially since the principal in question is the >> one who took me off the list in the first place and was >> trying to act so nice and innocent. I greatly dislike phony >> behaviour and dirty tricks, especially by someone I thought >> was always above board with me, and has known me for 7 >> years. I thought that his person wouldn't do something so >> low, ever. Maybe the Chinese proverb is totally right "love >> everybody, but trust no one". >> >> Do any of you feel that this what was done to me was >> sneaky, dirty, and as underhanded? Am I justified in >> feeling betrayed? Wasn't the honourable thing to do by the >> principal to meet with me privately first to discuss the >> concerns? To pull me off the preferred list and act like >> everything is business as usual is deception, phony, >> underhanded and quite simply a dirty trick. I thought this >> individual would have had more tact to say the least. You >> just never truly know people it appears. >> >> Now that the principal put me back on the list, should I >> continue to sub at that school next year, or make a bold >> statement and stop subbing there? Unfortunately the kids >> will lose because I have made a huge difference there for >> them. Still, my feeling about that school have now changed. >> Suddenly I don't truly feel welcome anymore, especially by >> the administration. I was put back on the list out of >> guilt. Being such a pushover in his eyes, the principal >> never thought I would have the courage to confront him. He >> got caught off guard. So maybe I got the final laugh. I >> just feel like I was made a fool of. >> >> I get tons of sub work at the other schools closer to home >> where I have never, ever, been treated this way. I don't >> need charity work - yes I do have my pride. What you choose? >> >> Thoughts please.

Jul 21, 2015

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Amy On 7/21/15, pixie wrote: > Ann, the OP did not say that she is too nice. She said, "the > principal suggested that I might be too nice." There is a > difference. > I think we agree that she should not go back there but, with > all due respect to your experience, I disagree with your > suggestion that the OP "write t...See MoreOn 7/21/15, pixie wrote: > Ann, the OP did not say that she is too nice. She said, "the > principal suggested that I might be too nice." There is a > difference. > I think we agree that she should not go back there but, with > all due respect to your experience, I disagree with your > suggestion that the OP "write the principal a letter stating > how you feel about the situation and explain that you are not > returning because of the way you were treated." I say this > because, although it might be extremely tempting to write > such a letter, I'm not sure what the OP would accomplish. The > letter may well be passed along to HR and construed as the OP > not being open to criticism, not reflecting on professional > practice, and rejecting suggestions for self-improvement. As > a former teacher you may be familiar with the reality that > teacher or sub attempts to set the record straight/defend > one's self to administrators may be interpreted in those > ways. If I were the OP I would quietly continue subbing at > other schools and just put the past behind me. > > Thanks Pixie.

I won't write the letter because it would fall on deaf ears. The damage has been done. I was betrayed by a principal who I thought liked me and had my back. He would come into the classroom and shake my hand whenever I was there. I've known him for 8 years. This was a back stab betrayal plain and simple. The trust has been compromised. I honestly believe that I would make a much bigger statement by simply not subbing there anymore - the principal knows perfectly well that was done to me was wrong and inexcusable. I imagine that there will be gossip among the teachers and some students about why I no longer go there. I did share with one teacher whom I covered for very often that I suddenly stopped getting called by the callout system ad that I thought that was suspicious. Maybe he will put 2 and 2 together and figure out that I was screwed over by the principal. I doesn't matter, because life goes on, there are other subs. I did get the work done for all the teachers I covered for, and the kids really liked me because I was fair. It is a known fact that a lot of poverty, domestic, child and substance abuse exists in the homes of a good part of those student's homes. The last thing those students need is to be treated harshly at school. I believe that good teaching and empathy go hand in hand. That is what we as teachers try hard to uphold. I now I do. > > On 7/21/15, Ann wrote: >> I can imagine how you feel. I would feel the same way. I >> would definitely NOT go back to that school. First of all, >> you were treated in a shabby, sneaky, disrespectful manner >> and for that reason alone I would not want to go back > there. >> I would never feel comfortable or welcome there and I would >> always have their nasty behavior in the back of my mind; as > a >> result no one would benefit from me being there...myself or >> the students. Also, you have pride. By returning to the >> school that didn't want you, you would be lowering yourself >> and appearing needy and lacking in self-esteem. Since you >> admit you are "too nice" you will always have management >> issues in some form or another and I'm certain that you > would >> have incidents involving behavior similar to the stealing >> incident. The next time you won't be re-instated. You don't >> want to go through this again ...it would be very > humiliating >> to say the least. Keep your pride and substitute elsewhere. >> I would write the principal a letter stating how you feel >> about the situation and explain that you are not returning >> because of the way you were treated. Good luck and please >> let us know what you decide to do. By the way I am a > retired >> teacher who now substitutes on a regular basis (nearly > every >> day). I would never tolerate this type of treatment. >> >> On 6/25/15, Amy wrote: >>> >>> Thoughts please. >>> You were a sub at a school that had you on the preferred >>> list, and you worked their every other day for 4 years. >>> >>> Suddenly, you stop getting calls on the call out system > for >>> jobs at that school. >>> >>> You are suspicious that something isn't right - something >>> underhanded has been done to you. >>> >>> Finally, in an attempt to find out what has happened, you >>> flat out ask the principal if you have been removed from >>> the preferred list. The answer is an honest yes. Just as >>> you suspected. >>> >>> In the principal's office you are told that you are an >>> absolutely great substitute teacher, friendly, organized, >>> follows lesson plans, etc. BUT, your classroom management >>> skills are lacking. You are reminded of an incident that >>> happened last year where you left a 2 page letter for the >>> classroom teacher you covered for explaining that one of >>> the students stole a glass vase chocolate holder. The >>> principal says that as a sub you must deal more >>> effectively >>> with classroom management issues, and if all else fails, >>> notify the administrators of the situation. >>> >>> But I was not removed from the preferred list until just a >>> few months ago. >>> >>> These are my questions and remarks: >>> >>> 1) If the principal had a beef with me about something, >>> wouldn't the right thing to do be to speak to me first >>> (especially since I have a long time good rapport with the >>> administrator) before abruptly taking me off the preferred >>> list, almost 1 year later I might add? There was another >>> issue a few months ago, involving a student being >>> physically aggressive toward another student, but it was >>> not my fault. >>> >>> 2) After our meeting the administrator asked the secretary >>> to put me back on the preferred list. >>> >>> I actually like working at that school, but I have my >>> pride. This is a tough school with students with learning >>> and behavioural issues. All the students love me there. >>> But >>> the principal suggested that I might be too nice. I have >>> never had any classroom management issues at the other >>> schools I routinely sub at. >>> >>> Needless to say, I feel betrayed and offended on how this >>> was handled by the principal - I thought we had a great >>> above board rapport. The principal sometimes comes into >>> the classroom to shake my hand. And lately when the >>> principal sees me say "I haven't seen you in ages". Duh, > no >>> kidding, especially since the principal in question is the >>> one who took me off the list in the first place and was >>> trying to act so nice and innocent. I greatly dislike > phony >>> behaviour and dirty tricks, especially by someone I > thought >>> was always above board with me, and has known me for 7 >>> years. I thought that his person wouldn't do something so >>> low, ever. Maybe the Chinese proverb is totally right > "love >>> everybody, but trust no one". >>> >>> Do any of you feel that this what was done to me was >>> sneaky, dirty, and as underhanded? Am I justified in >>> feeling betrayed? Wasn't the honourable thing to do by the >>> principal to meet with me privately first to discuss the >>> concerns? To pull me off the preferred list and act like >>> everything is business as usual is deception, phony, >>> underhanded and quite simply a dirty trick. I thought this >>> individual would have had more tact to say the least. You >>> just never truly know people it appears. >>> >>> Now that the principal put me back on the list, should I >>> continue to sub at that school next year, or make a bold >>> statement and stop subbing there? Unfortunately the kids >>> will lose because I have made a huge difference there for >>> them. Still, my feeling about that school have now > changed. >>> Suddenly I don't truly feel welcome anymore, especially by >>> the administration. I was put back on the list out of >>> guilt. Being such a pushover in his eyes, the principal >>> never thought I would have the courage to confront him. He >>> got caught off guard. So maybe I got the final laugh. I >>> just feel like I was made a fool of. >>> >>> I get tons of sub work at the other schools closer to home >>> where I have never, ever, been treated this way. I don't >>> need charity work - yes I do have my pride. What you > choose? >>> >>> Thoughts please.

Aug 5, 2015

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four more weeks until school starts!

by pixie

Jul 26, 2015

School starts on Monday, August 24. I did find some part- time work for a few weeks this summer (tutoring and working in a summer rec program), but have not gotten paid yet. It will be nice to be working every day again. I miss the kids, and I'm feeling the financial pinch! Last summer the sub system called me a few times a couple of weeks before s...See More

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BJ Tutoring is up and down (kids cancel, go on vacation, forget to show up); it just does not pay the bills, so I switched to temping. I got a job digitizing documents. I'm getting 40 hours a week, and they only want us till the end of the summer. It's not the most exciting job, but it's a job. I would recommend temp jobs to those of you who don't wan...See More

Jul 28, 2015

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Traveling Substitute teaching

by Mary Silver

Jun 18, 2015

Has anyone researched/considered traveling to a different state and subbing off/on for a few weeks? For example, I think it could be fun to substitute teach in New England, Alaska, or the South.

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