How appropriate that my last post should be centered on my dred of using substitutes. It's 12.30 pm and I'm sitting at the computer in my pjs... on a school day no less! I have my huge supply of kleenex, odwalla wellness, and huge stack of stories to grade. Let the healing begin.
I went in yesterday, and was told that I looked horrible, sounded horrible and was disgusting because I had to blow my nose every 10 minutes. Working with teen-agers is such a joy. At least you'll always know where you stand on attractiveness scale. However, it did seem like I would be loosing my voice today, so I asked for a substitute to be called. I'm really hoping that by getting the call in early, a competant sub was reached.
Getting a subsitute teacher to cover my classes is never a relaxing thing. The few times I've done it in the past meant a day was lost - and my classes got the reputation of being hellions. Luckily, another teacher has already scored that reputation this year. I'm slowly learning a few things to help make this an easier process. Here are some of things I've learned:
1. Call early. The earlier you get your request for a sub in, the better luck they will in have in finding someone with a pulse.
2. Leave a seating chart. Teachers who don't have a seating chart are loons. (that's right! you're a loon!) Not leaving a seating chart for the sub is wrong, unhelpful and will get you off their acceptable job list very quickly. In large school districts, you better believe that the subs pick and choose - avoiding particular schools in general for fear of being called in for a teacher with a poor reputation. (this is also why many schools will call and ask if the sub wants a job and refuse to tell who it's for before the acceptance)
3. Plan a movie. Kids are programmed to focus in the television whenever it's on from a very young age. Even those not interested in the movie will generally behave themselves or sleep.
4. If the movie isn't an option, plan something that requires a lot of concentration and activity. Then plan something else. Leave a 3rd option. Never leave a plan such as "read for the entire period."
5. Bribe the students. Let them know that sub will be reporting to you regarding their behavior and assignment completion. Then tell them that the best report wins a prize. I usually give out food.
6. Realize that day is a throw away and even if everything goes according to plan, it still won't. Chances are slim that anyone will actually die. If something really bad does happen, you weren't there. You can't be named in the lawsuit.
I went in yesterday, and was told that I looked horrible, sounded horrible and was disgusting because I had to blow my nose every 10 minutes. Working with teen-agers is such a joy. At least you'll always know where you stand on attractiveness scale. However, it did seem like I would be loosing my voice today, so I asked for a substitute to be called. I'm really hoping that by getting the call in early, a competant sub was reached.
Getting a subsitute teacher to cover my classes is never a relaxing thing. The few times I've done it in the past meant a day was lost - and my classes got the reputation of being hellions. Luckily, another teacher has already scored that reputation this year. I'm slowly learning a few things to help make this an easier process. Here are some of things I've learned:
1. Call early. The earlier you get your request for a sub in, the better luck they will in have in finding someone with a pulse.
2. Leave a seating chart. Teachers who don't have a seating chart are loons. (that's right! you're a loon!) Not leaving a seating chart for the sub is wrong, unhelpful and will get you off their acceptable job list very quickly. In large school districts, you better believe that the subs pick and choose - avoiding particular schools in general for fear of being called in for a teacher with a poor reputation. (this is also why many schools will call and ask if the sub wants a job and refuse to tell who it's for before the acceptance)
3. Plan a movie. Kids are programmed to focus in the television whenever it's on from a very young age. Even those not interested in the movie will generally behave themselves or sleep.
4. If the movie isn't an option, plan something that requires a lot of concentration and activity. Then plan something else. Leave a 3rd option. Never leave a plan such as "read for the entire period."
5. Bribe the students. Let them know that sub will be reporting to you regarding their behavior and assignment completion. Then tell them that the best report wins a prize. I usually give out food.
6. Realize that day is a throw away and even if everything goes according to plan, it still won't. Chances are slim that anyone will actually die. If something really bad does happen, you weren't there. You can't be named in the lawsuit.
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