Substitute Teachers Chatboard

Join Teachers.Net

Chatboards

Recent Groups

Substitute Teachers

MEMBERS

8 Members

+ Join Group

Pinned Posts

ALLAll Teachers

Teachers.Net LIVE CHAT Support group - Tues eve!

Featured Jobs

Full-timeMontessori Teacher

Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

TemporaryTeachers, rural schools

Peace River North School District

Full-timeHead Teacher: 2nd/3rd Grades – Mills College Children’s School

Mills College

Teaching Jobs on Teachers.Net

Featured Job special only $39!

https://teachers.net/jobs

Become a Teachers.Net sponsor!

Substitute Teachers Chatboard

healthcare

by deb

Dec 17, 2014

Has anyone heard about their sub. hours being cut for the year 2015? With the new Obama Care subs. working more than 30 hours would have to be offered Health insurance in 2015. I work more than 30 hours per week. I have been reading posts saying their hours have been cut to 3 days per week. Then the school district doesn't have to pay a subs. healt...See More

Comment

(2)

report post

elsiev On 12/17/14, deb wrote: > Has anyone heard about their sub. hours being cut for the > year 2015? With the new Obama Care subs. working more than > 30 hours would have to be offered Health insurance in > 2015. I work more than 30 hours per week. I have been > reading posts saying their hours have been cut to 3 days > per week. Then...See More

Dec 18, 2014

report post

Ze Povinho Where I am, we haven't been told anything about this at all, and in fact, the system is even offering weeklong jobs for next year.In districts I am aware, the day is divided into fifths or sixths (one part is one hour). Besides, I buy my own health insurance so the district does not need to offer me anything.

Dec 18, 2014

report post

Olathe and Overland Park, KS

by Nora

Dec 17, 2014

I'm a former FL teacher relocating to the KCK area. I'd like to know what subbing is like in Olathe and Overland Park. Are there plenty of jobs on the automated system? Are long term positions offered? Any information is appreciated. Thanks!

Comment

report post

What should I do?

by Marie

Dec 15, 2014

Long story short. I went back to the classroom. There was no light on, so I though nobody was in there. Unfortunately, teacher was at her desk in the corner. I got all flustered and pretended I went to the wrong classroom. I just left the folder in the office at the end of the day. I have been back twice since then, so I guess it wasn't a big deal....See More

Comment

(6)

report post

view previous comments

pixie Octo, I think you have made your point, or are you enjoying reprimanding Marie?

Dec 15, 2014

report post

Terrible Please find a different profession, you shouldn't be in a classroom.

On 12/15/14, Marie wrote: > Honesty is the best policy, but sometimes it can get you fired - > and I have child to support. > > On 12/15/14, Octo787 wrote: >> For the life of me, I can't understand why you didn't do the >> right thing and be HONEST...See More

Dec 15, 2014

report post

What should I do?

by Marie

Dec 1, 2014

I accidentally took home a student's file before the holiday. Somehow it got mixed up with my other folders from college and I took it home. If I take it back to the office and tell them what happened, will I get in trouble and get banned? I'm thinking of just setting it on the counter on a a day I'm scheduled to work when it's busy so they won't n...See More

Comment

(6)

report post

view previous comments

Peggy I like your plan.....sneaky but certainly do-able. Although security cameras are on 24-7 I really don't think anyone will think twice about how it got there. Most likely someone will simply see it lying there, pick it up and put it away. Just don't get yourself in this pickle again!

On 12/01/14, Marie wrote: > I accidentally took home a...See More

Dec 14, 2014

report post

pixie to marie- let us know Marie, It has been two weeks since you posted about the folder. What did you decide to do? Hope it worked out okay. On 12/14/14, Peggy wrote: > I like your plan.....sneaky but certainly do-able. Although > security cameras are on 24-7 I really don't think anyone will > think twice about how it got there. Most likely someone will > simp...See More

Dec 14, 2014

report post

Kicked out by a teacher in training, other things

by Ze Povinho

Dec 4, 2014

Good morning.

A few weeks ago, I covered an assignment in which there was a teacher in training (aka ST). The deal is that under the command of that ST, many of the students were behaving very badly and were not listening to the ST at all.

I had to intervene several times in order to restore order. I also assisted in passing out ...See MoreGood morning.

A few weeks ago, I covered an assignment in which there was a teacher in training (aka ST). The deal is that under the command of that ST, many of the students were behaving very badly and were not listening to the ST at all.

I had to intervene several times in order to restore order. I also assisted in passing out needed papers.

Also, there was an incident in the classroom-I won't go into specific details here but IMHO, the ST really blew it completely out of proportion and let that took valuable instructional time in order to take care of something that I would have taken about 3 seconds to do. I am not exaggerating. The ST really, really blew everything out of proportion and I can tell that this really earned the animosity of the class by the way that ST handled this.

Well, I took my lunch in the room and then the ST came to the room, visibly shaken, and told me to leave the classroom.

It turns out that the ST was not pleased that I intervened in trying to bring the class under control, but the way I saw this is that I am, as the certificated person in the room, ultimately responsible for the classroom safety and control, and I was the one who was going to be held accountable if things got bad. So, in order to protect myself, I had to intervene so things were not out of control.

At least I had no more classes after lunch, but still, I was kicked out by the teacher in training.

I feared a negative report after this, but it turns out that I never was written up by the supervising teacher (the school secretary would have informed me if this was the case). And I have a multiday assignment at that same site starting today-not in that room, btw.

---------------------------- In another instance, I got to correct about 100 papers- that is what the teacher expected of me-during my prep period. Oh, well...I did, but correcting short answer questions can be tricky because what is OK for me might not be the answer that teacher is looking for.

Remember...in the military dictatorship style atmosphere that school sites can be, everything can be used against one-even when following the school protocols. No actions are safe from being written up and fired.

This is one of the many reasons I really fear assignments that contain surveillance agents, I mean, other adults, in the same room.

Ze

Comment

(8)

report post

view previous comments

Good points, but a little condescending I am a teacher too and I am also entitled to my opinion. I think you made some good points but I hope when you're mentoring you don't come off condescending and patronizing as your writing displays. "Let's remember that they are new in the job..." Instead just write straight-forward and say they are new to the job. This person sounded ver...See MoreI am a teacher too and I am also entitled to my opinion. I think you made some good points but I hope when you're mentoring you don't come off condescending and patronizing as your writing displays. "Let's remember that they are new in the job..." Instead just write straight-forward and say they are new to the job. This person sounded very weak to me but I would have to see them in person. You don't know anymore than I do whether or not this person is fit for the job. We would both need to see for ourselves.

> > Another way to look at the situation.... I agree with the > poster that said the ST probably wanted to be alone to cry after > that hard day. However, I don't think she should have made Ze > ready to join her (in crying or being upset) by asking Ze to > leave! But, let's not write this ST off so quickly. I have > mentored many STs during my career, and I've been one myself! > Let's remember that they are new at the job and they are going > to make mistakes. This absolutely does not mean that they are > unfit to teach. They need this time to practice the skills and > techniques they've been taught in college. While student > teaching, I don't think we should expect perfection. Even > experienced teachers sometimes "lose the class". The ST clearly > needed to be kinder to Ze, who only wanted to help. However, > she probably felt humiliated and discouraged by her performance, > and I'll bet that she feared reprisal as much as Ze does at times. > > > > > On 12/06/14, Ze, you did the best you could wrote: >> Ze, don't let this get to you. The ST was probably wanting >> time to herself so she could have a good cry. Clearly, this >> person isn't fit to teach, but if she has political > connections she >> will be. Sad but true. That's the way the world works. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> >>> Ze, you bring a view of the school system that many have >>> not had the misfortune to encounter. I have been "in your >>> place" several times in the education field. I taught for >>> many years and saw many of the things you mention. Also, >>> during 7 years of subbing after retirement, many of the >>> same situations affected me that you pointed out in your >>> post. Looking back on some of the events in my teaching >>> and subbing career, I see a parallel in our experiences. I >>> grew wary in my dealings with secretaries, prins, vice >>> prins and heavily entrenched teachers in much the same >>> manner as you. If this does not happen in other sub's >>> districts....GREAT! But I know it happened in mine >>> because.......I was THERE! On 12/05/14, Ze Povinho wrote: >>>> What happened was that this was a late call and when I >>>> arrived, the ST was already in action, but the university >>>> supervisor (US) was already there. At first I thought >>>> that the ST was one of the counselors taking over while I >>>> got there but then I was informed that this was the ST. >>>> There were absolutely no instructions as to what my role >>>> would be. While the US was there, I knew that all I had >>>> to do was to simply sit there and warm up a seat while >>>> the ST was delivering the lesson. >>>> >>>> At times it was very loud and I noted that many students >>>> were not paying attention to the lessons. >>>> >>>> It was when the US left that things became worse. I >>>> observed that this ST easily lost self control and was >>>> easily angered by what I would consider nonissues. I can >>>> safely say that had this ST encountered the situations >>>> that I have endured for the past 15 years at the other >>>> district that was a veritable hell, in which I was >>>> physically and psychologically assaulted with virtually >>>> zero backup and where the administrators at all levels >>>> were ready to punish the sub for any problems, so much >>>> that one did not even dare report anything for fear of >>>> being fired...and even not doing anything to rock the >>>> boat was not enough....the ST wouldn't have lasted there >>>> for a week. >>>> >>>> Anyway, there was this incident which was completely >>>> blown out of proportion by the ST. All I would have done >>>> was to warn the student and that was that-it was a >>>> nonissue that required only a warning and the lesson >>>> could go on, but noooooooooooooooo.....the ST spent >> about >>>> 15 minutes focusing on this, almost losing control of >>>> temper, abandoning the lesson plan to solve this issue, >>>> and applying collective punishment- and alienating the >>>> class in the process. >>>> >>>> I did intervene in just a few times to bring control to >>>> the class since, after all, I was the one certified guy >>>> who had to answer to the Great Leader (aka principal) if >>>> anything went wrong (because, as we know, the Great >>>> Leader rarely will note you except when you commit a real >>>> or imagined offense, or if the class shows anything less >>>> than perfect order). >>>> >>>> For my troubles in trying to assist this ST (and I only >>>> did this very few times), the ST was not pleased with me. >>>> During the break the ST ordered me to leave the room and >>>> go. I had no class to cover after that episode so I left. >>>> The ST was visibly shaken for the "rough" day. >>>> >>>> By the way, I noted that the ST was on a first name basis >>>> with the cooperating teacher and a lot of the faculty, so >>>> I reasoned that if I displeased the ST and contradicted >>>> the order to leave, I would be ordered to leave the site >>>> and banned. >>>> >>>> By the way, this "rough" day was about 1/100 of what I >>>> endured when I was at that dictrict where many students >>>> inflicted physical and psychological attacks on me, and >>>> where a lot of certificated personnel engaged in >>>> treachery, lies, and deceit toward me. To refresh your >>>> memory, here is what I posted about the effects of >>>> working in this environment for 15 years to me, so here >>>> it is, from January 2014: >>>> >>>> Lately I have been rather busy subbing every day at my >>>> new district that has the Subscarer system aka Subfinder. >>>> >>>> Without exception, the assignments have been nearly >>>> flawless. No name calling of any kind, no serious issues, >>>> nothing like the district I had to leave. At times I >>>> think that something is put on the food of these kids >>>> because they are so well behaved-even in middle and high >>>> school. >>>> >>>> When I see the teachers complaining of "misbehavior" at >>>> my new district with subscarer, I can tell that they >>>> really haven't seen what real misbehavior is. . . >>>> probably they haven't gone through the veritable hell >>>> that the district I had to leave turned out to be. And >>>> probably they would not believe it (nor they would care, >>>> I am sure of that given their choice of conversational >>>> topics) if I tell them what I have seen and what I went >>>> through for 15 years. It reaches the point that you >>>> become completely numb and hardened. You lose any >>>> sensitivity to anything, including the bad behaviors in >>>> class, the objects thrown at your head, and the >>>> expletives that have replaced your given name at the >>>> site. You get used to being called "the sub" instead of >>>> your given last name by everyone from the janitor to the >>>> Great Leader. >>>> >>>> You learn to fear everyone, to suspect all, to question >>>> all motives, to always be on guard, to regard everyone as >>>> an informant and as the enemy, to always be silent at a >>>> teacher's lounge and never offer your opinions on any >>>> subject (or to avoid the lounge like the plage and eat >>>> your meals alone in the classroom or go lunch at a >>>> restaurant off campus), to say the absolute minimum in >>>> class lest something you say gets taken out of context, >>>> to never look at women in the eye or face or compliment >>>> them on anything lest you get written up for harassment. >>>> You learn that nobody is your friend and that you are >>>> basically on your own, and that if you are naive enough >>>> to believe that the admins will help you if you have any >>>> trouble, you can most likely expect to be written up or >>>> banned for not controlling a class full of protofelons. >>>> You learn that once you are inside a school site, the >>>> concept of "constitutional rights" and "bill of rights" >>>> is a funny and alien notion that does not apply at all >>>> inside a site. You learn to keep a straight face when you >>>> read posters about the "six pillars of character," >>>> realizing full well that they don't apply to you as far >>>> as sub treatment is concerned. >>>> >>>> You quickly learn that the concepts delineated in the >>>> novel 1984-newspeak, facecrime, blackwhite, and putting >>>> the correct facial expression even when faced with >>>> situations which can border on the absurd, the farcical, >>>> the grotestque, and the surreal-are alive and well at the >>>> site. >>>> >>>> Yes. For 15 years, I have experienced the closest thing >>>> to a military dictatorship. >>>> >>>> And that does carry over to other places. >>>> >>>> In that new district with the subscary system, I am still >>>> on high guard. I don't trust anyone there, and I say the >>>> absolute minimum in class and anywhere else at the site. >>>> If I have to be at a teacher's lounge, I eat by myself >>>> and don't do the mistake of starting conversations with >>>> other full time teachers; in addition, I eat as quickly >>>> as I can (less than 3 minutes) and leave the lounge >>>> immediately. If they greet me, I answer POW style-just >>>> the basics and that's it, in a civil and polite way. >>>> >>>> Besides, in all the districts I have been, I have seen >>>> basically the same-lounges that are veritable nests of >>>> vipers, admins who act as if they were the gods of >>>> Olympus, and teachers who are best seen at long distance. >>>> Even if the new district that uses subscarer, I have >>>> encountered my share of admins who are best to be seen >>>> with binoculars or a telescope-the farther away, the >>>> better. >>>> >>>> In the former district that I had to leave, it was both >>>> the adults and the students who were the danger. In my >>>> new district, I am always on guard when dealing with any >>>> adult. And I am about 100 times more on guard when there >>>> are adults in the rooms I am assigned (i.e. parent >>>> volunteers, cooperating teachers, and other tattletales). >>>> And this goes millionfold when I have to deal with women >>>> or girls at the sites. I have seen my share of female >>>> students who are dressed as if they were going to the >>>> night club or something. I have even seen second graders >>>> who wear provocative clothes. Same with women office >>>> staffers and faculty. I simply employ averted vision when >>>> I deal with them, and of course, I say zero comments on >>>> their appearance and, if I have to look at them, it is >>>> only for a couple of nanoseconds so they don't think I am >>>> staring (in that dystopian world, one second is being a >>>> perverted gawker) and then revert to averted vision. If a >>>> woman who has not seen me is coming my way, I >> immediately >>>> look away from her, or down to the ground until she >>>> passes. You learn to also deal with them with a >>>> completely straight face-in other words, to not engage in >>>> facecrime when dealing with them (i.e. showing anything >>>> besides a complete lack of emotion and a straight face >>>> when you see them wearing miniskirts with boots, or other >>>> provocative clothing, or so on). A so called "flat >>>> affect" will really help you survive the military >>>> dictatorship dystopian atmosphere. Look at it this >>>> way....it's only 7 hours of your 24 hour day. >>>> >>>> Yes, some of you might think that I am exaggerating or >>>> being negative or that I should change jobs, but I am >>>> simply narrating what I have seen and experienced. 15 >>>> years of this makes you this way. What I am paid is more >>>> than the vast majority of the jobs that are available. >>>> >>>> Why do I mention all this again? You you can hopefully >>>> understand why I was really fearful of a writeup for >>>> trying to bring control to the class I was assigned to >>>> cover when the ST was there. If I helped out, the ST >>>> would be upset at me (which was the case), but if I did >>>> not, the Great Leader would likely ban me from the site. >>>> Please one person, anger another. >>>> >>>> Just another day in this world. >>>> >>>> Ze >>>> >>>>

Dec 11, 2014

report post

Jessie to good points...
Thank you for mentioning that I brought up some good
points. However, I do feel free to post courteous and
hopefully helpful posts here, using the phrases that I
want. No harm was intended when I wrote "Let's
remember....." That should have been clear by the tone of
my complete post. I'm sorry if you took offense to my...See More

Dec 12, 2014

report post

Classroom Spy

by Rachel

Dec 8, 2014

I've been subbing for two years and for the most part it has always gone well. At the beginning of this school year I was super excited to be offered a long term assignment for 6th grade while the teacher was taking her maternity leave. The teacher would be taking her leave on Mondays and Tuesdays over a 4-month period. She would be there on Wednes...See More

Comment

(4)

report post

view previous comments

Ze Povinho As I have posted in the past, assume everyone is an informant and a surveillance agent. Like in a military dictatorship, always assume that your every move, gesture, tone of voice, and everything you say will be reported by someone. That someone can be anybody-from the disgruntled student you just sent to the office for calling you a female dog in ...See More

Dec 9, 2014

report post

Really? If being a sub is as horrible as you continue to describe,
why would you continue doing it? Years of going into a
place that is "out to get you". Please seek professional
help and change professions for your own sanity.

On 12/09/14, Ze Povinho wrote:
> As I have posted in the past, assume everyone is an
&g...See More

Dec 9, 2014

report post

sounds fishy

by BJ

Dec 5, 2014

He has no authority to kick you out. Did someone else take your place?? By law, there has to be a certified teacher with him in the room. I worked with 2 student teachers: One was great; the other let the kids run the show, and wasted too much instructional time. Way oversensitive too when I pointed out what he could improve upon.

Comment

(2)

report post

Ze Povinho On 12/05/14, BJ wrote: > He has no authority to kick you out. Did someone else take > your place?? By law, there has to be a certified teacher > with him in the room. > I worked with 2 student teachers: One was great; the other > let the kids run the show, and wasted too much instructional > time. Way oversensitive too when I poin...See More

Dec 5, 2014

report post

only if an idiot let's rhem On 12/05/14, Ze Povinho wrote: > On 12/05/14, BJ wrote: >> He has no authority to kick you out. Did someone else take >> your place?? By law, there has to be a certified teacher >> with him in the room. >> I worked with 2 student teachers: One was great; the other >> let the kids run the show, and wasted too much in...See More

Dec 6, 2014

report post

Making deals with students

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Dec 3, 2014

Teachers are loving people who come into the profession to make a difference in the lives of children. Their intentions are good, but when misbehavior occurs, some teachers will, out of sheer frustration, resort to making deals with the students just to survive. You may find some of the following actions by teachers silly and funny, but they are a...See More

Comment

report post

Is there a way to leave an email anonymously

by Dee

Nov 18, 2014

for someone who posts here to contact me? Thanks, Dee.

Comment

(5)

report post

view previous comments

Dee Yay! I thought about checking this board tonight and saw
your post. I'm so happy. No, I don't have your email. I
had to change fb accounts as well, and lost everyone. I'm
the same way with my fb account, for the same reason. I'm
going to go out on a limb and leave my gmail here for you.
You can contact me at [email removed]

Nov 26, 2014

report post

Dee Hey Lee, hopefully you find this post. I checked the email to make sure I sent the right one; it is. Check below for it. I hope to hear from you at that email addy. I will keep checking! Dee.

On 11/26/14, Dee wrote: > Yay! I thought about checking this board tonight and saw > your post. I'm so happy. No, I don't have your email. I &g...See More

Dec 1, 2014

report post