Too old to effectively sub?

[Anonymous]

Can you relay your concerns to the administration, without talking about age?
Can you persuade them to walk into her class and see for themselves?

[Anonymous]

I would document what you observe and email it to the department head or administrator: “on Oct 18, Mr. So and so yelled ‘xyz’ at his 3rd pd,” as long as it’s “just the facts” sort of data you are reporting. Let them handle it.

You may be aware, though, that many schools are having a hard time attracting and keeping a regular cast of substitute teachers so this gentleman might be one of very few options. If that isn’t the case at your school and you know of better available subs, casually suggest, in a face to face conversation with any teacher who regularly calls this sub, a great alternative.

[Anonymous]

I am a fairly spry former teacher and will be 84 in December. I am thinking about going into subbing at schools near my neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have specific concerns beyond their age?

Virtually no classroom management skills. A yeller. Wording is gray area offensive.
Can’t hear/understand what is being said.
Confusion in following sub plans so switched from the plan to whatever students can do independently from a textbook
Refusal to use things that are now basic classroom technology like smart board or Chromebook.
Couldn’t keep up with classes when exiting room for fire drill and assembly leaving children unattended.
Doesn’t check email so information is not received or provided back.

These are the issues, OP -- not the sub's age. Document and then tell the principal.

[Anonymous]

Subs are paid basically minimum wage. The schools will take any warm body.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Subs are paid basically minimum wage. The schools will take any warm body.

Interesting, a few years ago MCPS were requiring subs to have a valid Maryland teaching certificate because they supposedly had such a "robust" pool of available substitutes. I guess things have changed. I'm also curious why this incompetent substitute is still called to sub. I've heard that teacher's can call any substitute they want (from the list) and if this one is so bad, why don't people stop calling them to come into the class? I'm sure the principal can put an end to this if they want to. I've definitely heard of subs not allowed to work in certain schools because they teachers and principal didn't want them there. From the posts, it sounds like no one has any ability to control this situation.

[Anonymous]

Do you hate people for getting old?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This has nothing to do with the sub being old. I know plenty of young, 20-something teachers who don't like technology in their classrooms so they don't use the smartboards and don't let kids take out the Chromebooks.

The physical issues are more concerning.

FWIW, there's a long-term sub at our school is I'm guessing may be in her 70s. She's terrific. She's able to manage the class in a much more effective and positive way than the inexperienced young teachers and she can answer any question the curious students ask of her. Some of the younger teachers seem not to want to answer questions that aren't directly related to the curriculum or, worse, they just don't have the knowledge!

I want to give the benefit of doubt that it is age related as this person taught for decades and was much loved. Retirement was a financial struggle and s/he returned to sub to make ends meet. I’m not entirely unsympathetic as I know how expensive this area is, but I’m feeling for the students. I taught most of them last year and they look miserable lately.

Did they put her with a grade she's not used to teaching? Some teachers are fantastic at 5th grade where the kids can be reasoned with and are relatively responsible, but put them in K and watch out. I also know a K teacher who can barely handle her little ones who are very sweet, but if you put her a grade higher or more I'm willing to bet she would lose it. This is the type of teacher who really belongs at a preschool changing diapers or something.

[Anonymous]

The kids are screwed. There is no way she will be removed as a long term sub. Good luck painstakingly documenting everything just to hear "Thank you for sharing your concerns, we will take it under advisement".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Subs are paid basically minimum wage. The schools will take any warm body.

Interesting, a few years ago MCPS were requiring subs to have a valid Maryland teaching certificate because they supposedly had such a "robust" pool of available substitutes. I guess things have changed. I'm also curious why this incompetent substitute is still called to sub. I've heard that teacher's can call any substitute they want (from the list) and if this one is so bad, why don't people stop calling them to come into the class? I'm sure the principal can put an end to this if they want to. I've definitely heard of subs not allowed to work in certain schools because they teachers and principal didn't want them there. From the posts, it sounds like no one has any ability to control this situation.

For many planned absences, teachers do select subs. But sometimes your child is vomiting at 2 am or your car dies at 7:30 am so you request a sub through the automated system and pray someone shows up. Mostly those are the duds who no one requests.

[Anonymous]

Not requirement for the job though. Have you ever subbed or applied to be a sub? It is basically a gloried babysitter position. It is so that legally they can say an adult was in the room with the kids. You will rarely get a "qualified" sub for what they are paid so relax. Must be a relatively new teacher.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have specific concerns beyond their age?

Virtually no classroom management skills. A yeller. Wording is gray area offensive.
Can’t hear/understand what is being said.
Confusion in following sub plans so switched from the plan to whatever students can do independently from a textbook
Refusal to use things that are now basic classroom technology like smart board or Chromebook.
Couldn’t keep up with classes when exiting room for fire drill and assembly leaving children unattended.
Doesn’t check email so information is not received or provided back.

[Anonymous]

Too old, no. Not competent, yes.

The only things that stand out to me in OPs list are yelling, gray area language, and hearing issues. It's not like subs are paid a lot, and this is an expense area to live in, much more so now than a decade or two ago.

Have parents complained? That would probably get a response faster than a coworker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you hate people for getting old?

No. But I love kids and believe education is key to breaking down barriers for poor and minority children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not requirement for the job though. Have you ever subbed or applied to be a sub? It is basically a gloried babysitter position. It is so that legally they can say an adult was in the room with the kids. You will rarely get a "qualified" sub for what they are paid so relax. Must be a relatively new teacher.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have specific concerns beyond their age?

Virtually no classroom management skills. A yeller. Wording is gray area offensive.
Can’t hear/understand what is being said.
Confusion in following sub plans so switched from the plan to whatever students can do independently from a textbook
Refusal to use things that are now basic classroom technology like smart board or Chromebook.
Couldn’t keep up with classes when exiting room for fire drill and assembly leaving children unattended.
Doesn’t check email so information is not received or provided back.

I’ve taught for MCPS for 15 years and for four years before that elsewhere so I don’t think I qualify anymore as relatively new. I was also a sub for NCPS for 18 months before I earned my certification in MD so I feel pretty well acquainted with the challenges subs face. Nonetheless, for a long term job of 6-8 weeks with probable renewal at least once, something more than a glorified babysitter is needed. I saw most of these children make big gains in skills and confidence last year. I hate what is happening to them both academically and emotionally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too old, no. Not competent, yes.

The only things that stand out to me in OPs list are yelling, gray area language, and hearing issues. It's not like subs are paid a lot, and this is an expense area to live in, much more so now than a decade or two ago.

Have parents complained? That would probably get a response faster than a coworker.

Our parents are unlikely to complain for a number of reasons.