Any substitute teachers? Advice...........

[SnowWhite607]

[I am currently a teacher at a private school, previously a teacher at a public school before my DD was born. I have taught in middle schools as well as kindergarten (currently). Due to some "Problems" at my job (not with me, but with the administrative way things are handled) and a few other reasons as well, I am thinking of quitting at the end of the year and substitute teaching next year.

For those of you who have or are subbing, what do you like or dislike about it? The only thing I am worried about is that I will miss having my own class and my own kids.

I would appreciate any and all responses. Thank you!

 

[MushyMushy]

Good luck! From other subs I've talked to, they either love it or hate it. I liked it because I was always doing something new every day, always seeing new faces, and at 3:15 I was done. Didn't have to take anything home.

However, for me, the dislike well outweighed the like. I hated being treated like less than a professional by other teachers and administrators. That's a big problem where I live. Although I loved the kids, it does get tiring walking into a class that just wants to mess with the sub and you know you'll have no backup from the teacher for it. I hated not having my own classroom and feeling that my skills and degree were going to waste day after day. I hated not feeling like part of the team... or even worse in some schools feeling like a total outsider.

Another thing for me is I had a hard time forcing myself to actually work every day. Our system was computerized so we'd pick jobs on the computer rather than getting calls. It was just far too easy to not pick a job. I do better having a regular schedule I know I have to follow.

Anyway, that's my opinion. I'm sure someone else will come in with glowing recommendations for the job. Like I said, I think people are either/or with it.

 

[happygirl]

I wouldn't want to a sub. I have done that couple of times. I hated it most of the time. The teacher I have subed for didn't me leave me a lesson plan for the day

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm in my 2nd year out of school and still looking for a full-time job...so I've been doing the whole subbing thing. I've gotten a couple long-term jobs which is nice because I know where I'm going each day and get to know the kids.

When it's just day to day it can be nice because you get to do a little bit of everything but personally I'm sick of that.

But yeah, like Mushy said it can be hard to force yourself to work every day. There have been times when I'll get calls for jobs I don't want to take and turn them down (which I later feel guilty about doing...).

Good luck with your decision!

 

[PollyannaMom]

I love:
-helping the kids
-the variety of not doing the same grade/subject every day
-when students remember me when they see me with another class
-that fact that my work day ends when it ends
-NOT having to deal with the parents, the report cards, etc.
-knowing my child's school from the inside
-the flexibility to choose my days - still be able to volunteer in DS's class, be home when he's sick, etc.

I don't like:
-wondering all the time - if there are going to be jobs available, if the teachers like me, why only one school is showing up and not the other one...
-not really being part of the "group" of regular teachers (though I generally find they try to be very nice!)
-the "feast or famine" phenomenon - too many jobs at once or too few

I sometimes love and sometimes hate:
the new computer system my district is using to schedule us this year

 

[eeyore kelly]

It is not my favorite job I have ever held, but I have had worse.

Likes:

No weekends

No nights

No homework

By four o'clock you are done

Not you class, by 4:00 not your problem

Off when kids are off

Don't have to worry about politics--you are just a sub

Dislikes:

No steady pay

No workplace friendships (usually)

Older kids will try to "sink" you

Dealing with other people's special snowflakes

Ways to be a sucessful and requested sub:

Always follow Lesson Plans (if you don't get to something, leave a detailed note why. I.E. We didn't do the power point timed quiz on multiplication because their was a fire drill.

Leave a note on your observation of the way the kids understood the material. "I had many questions on the third comprehension question for their reading."

Leave names of exceptional children along with behavior kids. Makes you seem less negative.

Remember you are not part of the staff. I always stay in the room during breaks unless getting a drink or to use the restroom. I bring a book for during breaks.

Remember, the order of duties

1. Maintain control

2. Take attendance

3. Follow the Lesson Plan

Never bad mouth anyone, not teacher's, not admin, not janitors, not paras

The janitor is your friend and the keeper of the keys always be nice.

Always do the teacher's duty.

Remember the pecking order: you are a sub, you are low man on the totem pole.

Never play on the computer, while kids are in room. No matter how engaged, how quiet, how whatever. The moment you get on the computer a principal, the team leader, etc will walk in and have the impression you played on the comp all day and will tell that to the teacher.

I hope my insight helps you.

 

[SnowWhite607]

thank you for your replies! Our district uses the computer system also and has for a few years. DH is a teacher as well and he used it just today as a matter of fact!

I just think I would have the benefit of working when I wat and being able to do other things when I need to. We dont need the money to live, but I would be working for a new car payment so I know I would have to do X number of days per month on average.

I dont want to go back to working full time and I thought subbing would be something I could do. I dont think I can do anything but teach, LOL!!

 

[lovetoscrap]

I think that Pollyannamom and EeyoreKelly really summed it all up.

I LOVE subbing. It isn't for everyone. But then again, schools really need some great subs to keep the classrooms moving forward every day. I have seen and heard of so many mediocre to terrible subs that I like knowing that I can be one of the good ones.

One of the things that is hardest for me is that I don't have the chance most of the time to develop the relationships with the kids and often the sub is just that "mean lady", even though I was only doing what needed to be done. It isn't my fault the teacher left an entire day of boring worksheets and workbook pages that had to be done.

And if you are a great sub, and get your name out at the schools you like you can always try to get a long term job, like for a teacher that is pregnant. It sort of combines the best of both worlds.

 

[stichlover87]

I have been subbing for about five weeks now because I was not able to find a full time position. It does have its advantages and disadvantages like people have said above. I think the best thing you could do would be to try it and see if it works for you or not! It is working well for me at the time being. Good luck with your decision!