Make it easier to become a substitute teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a sub and constantly see sub vacancies for Special Ed positions. In fact, that's mostly what's advertised. I never accept those jobs because I haven't been trained in Special Ed, and I imagine many subs feel similarly. So who is filling in for these teachers?

Same. There is rarely more information than "sub plans are on the desk," so I don't know what I would be walking into. I have subbed for content-area Learning Disabilities teachers (team taught or self-contained) and enjoy it (they contact me because I sub in their content area and can teach), but SPED is such a wide range that I have absolutely no idea what the day would look like.

+2
I definitely don't want to walk into a situation I'm not prepared for.

+3
I was just perusing the sub openings and have to say - I'm very unlikely to accept a job that doesn't have the instructions/description right there in the opening notice. Or text instructions like this: "Please see lesson plans for detailed instruction and information on class." Why not put all the detailed instructions and information right there on the website? I don't want to walk into a classroom and scramble to read instructions, get set up, right before the kids arrive. Give subs the chance to check out your instructions ahead of time! Inevitably, there is an issue with the computer, connecting, etc. Last minute scrambling in an unfamiliar class is the worst.

Because the sub plan is written the day before. I don’t have it all planned when I requested the day off 2-3 weeks prior.

I see this issue all the time for Special Ed needs. A content area teacher I have less concern - it's a little more straightforward. Knowing a special ed teacher's parking space is great, but is it a small class of students that just need 1:1 help but no disruptive students? Or is there an actual physical danger that I may be walking into? I know that because of IEP and FERPA what can be written down and publicly communicated is minimal, but if there is a more than remote chance of physical danger (knowing 2 people who suffered concussions while teaching), I'm not going to take the risk for $130 (before FICA and taxes).

I’ve never really thought about adding details to a job listing. I could put my grade level in if that helps. I guess I just assumed it showed.

That’s interesting. Where do they have assigned spaces? Just curious.

The high schools have assigned spaces. So while a critical piece of information (there are limited visitor spots and you are expected to use that teacher's assigned spot unless they are in the building in meetings or a different role that day).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a sub and constantly see sub vacancies for Special Ed positions. In fact, that's mostly what's advertised. I never accept those jobs because I haven't been trained in Special Ed, and I imagine many subs feel similarly. So who is filling in for these teachers?

Same. There is rarely more information than "sub plans are on the desk," so I don't know what I would be walking into. I have subbed for content-area Learning Disabilities teachers (team taught or self-contained) and enjoy it (they contact me because I sub in their content area and can teach), but SPED is such a wide range that I have absolutely no idea what the day would look like.

+2
I definitely don't want to walk into a situation I'm not prepared for.

+3
I was just perusing the sub openings and have to say - I'm very unlikely to accept a job that doesn't have the instructions/description right there in the opening notice. Or text instructions like this: "Please see lesson plans for detailed instruction and information on class." Why not put all the detailed instructions and information right there on the website? I don't want to walk into a classroom and scramble to read instructions, get set up, right before the kids arrive. Give subs the chance to check out your instructions ahead of time! Inevitably, there is an issue with the computer, connecting, etc. Last minute scrambling in an unfamiliar class is the worst.

Because the sub plan is written the day before. I don’t have it all planned when I requested the day off 2-3 weeks prior.

I see this issue all the time for Special Ed needs. A content area teacher I have less concern - it's a little more straightforward. Knowing a special ed teacher's parking space is great, but is it a small class of students that just need 1:1 help but no disruptive students? Or is there an actual physical danger that I may be walking into? I know that because of IEP and FERPA what can be written down and publicly communicated is minimal, but if there is a more than remote chance of physical danger (knowing 2 people who suffered concussions while teaching), I'm not going to take the risk for $130 (before FICA and taxes).

I’ve never really thought about adding details to a job listing. I could put my grade level in if that helps. I guess I just assumed it showed.

That’s interesting. Where do they have assigned spaces? Just curious.

The high schools have assigned spaces. So while a critical piece of information (there are limited visitor spots and you are expected to use that teacher's assigned spot unless they are in the building in meetings or a different role that day).

[critical piece of information] but I'd rather know what I'm walking into (knowing I may get pulled during the teacher's planning period to cover another class, which is a whole crapshoot of it's own because it may or may not have plans on the aforementioned desk).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a sub and constantly see sub vacancies for Special Ed positions. In fact, that's mostly what's advertised. I never accept those jobs because I haven't been trained in Special Ed, and I imagine many subs feel similarly. So who is filling in for these teachers?

Same. There is rarely more information than "sub plans are on the desk," so I don't know what I would be walking into. I have subbed for content-area Learning Disabilities teachers (team taught or self-contained) and enjoy it (they contact me because I sub in their content area and can teach), but SPED is such a wide range that I have absolutely no idea what the day would look like.

+2
I definitely don't want to walk into a situation I'm not prepared for.

+3
I was just perusing the sub openings and have to say - I'm very unlikely to accept a job that doesn't have the instructions/description right there in the opening notice. Or text instructions like this: "Please see lesson plans for detailed instruction and information on class." Why not put all the detailed instructions and information right there on the website? I don't want to walk into a classroom and scramble to read instructions, get set up, right before the kids arrive. Give subs the chance to check out your instructions ahead of time! Inevitably, there is an issue with the computer, connecting, etc. Last minute scrambling in an unfamiliar class is the worst.

Because the sub plan is written the day before. I don’t have it all planned when I requested the day off 2-3 weeks prior.

I see this issue all the time for Special Ed needs. A content area teacher I have less concern - it's a little more straightforward. Knowing a special ed teacher's parking space is great, but is it a small class of students that just need 1:1 help but no disruptive students? Or is there an actual physical danger that I may be walking into? I know that because of IEP and FERPA what can be written down and publicly communicated is minimal, but if there is a more than remote chance of physical danger (knowing 2 people who suffered concussions while teaching), I'm not going to take the risk for $130 (before FICA and taxes).

I’ve never really thought about adding details to a job listing. I could put my grade level in if that helps. I guess I just assumed it showed.

That’s interesting. Where do they have assigned spaces? Just curious.

DP. Please add as much detail as possible - grade level, number of kids, a basic outline of what the day will look like - and, as the PP said, please note if there are any particularly difficult students. I have walked into some nightmare situations before and would have really appreciated a heads-up from the teacher beforehand.

One very helpful teacher posted the whole schedule for me, including all kinds of details. I was able to peruse it the night before and really prepare myself. It made the next day run so much more smoothly than other assignments, where I've received no information at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last year, my daughter's principal asked me to help her out by becoming a sub. I had just started a job that was pretty flexible and I was happy to help out as long as it meant keeping the school open. Before I started my job, I was a stay at home parent for years.

When I went to do the application, it required 2 recommendations - one from a current employer. Though my job was flexible, I definitely didn't feel comfortable asking my new boss to write a recommendation so I could substitute teach. And as a stay at home parent for the past 8 years, I didn't have a previous employer. As a result, I didn't apply.

The application also required transcripts from my universities - I have them but most stay at home parents don't - and it can be expensive to collect them - something like 1/2 day's work substitute teaching.

FCPS needs to temporarily make it easier for parents to substitute teach. There are a lot of parents willing to help out the schools but FCPS has not made it easy. Instead of doing everything they can to keep schools open, they are defaulting to closing schools. In the midst of an historic pandemic, it's still business as usual.

Please spare us - obviously didn’t really want to be a substitute teacher. If you ever volunteered somewhere, you could easily ask there for reference. You can also use other people, it’s not necessarily an employer. Getting transcripts from schools is like 10 minutes of your time. Most of them are now electronic and you can get them right away. Not a big deal at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a sub and constantly see sub vacancies for Special Ed positions. In fact, that's mostly what's advertised. I never accept those jobs because I haven't been trained in Special Ed, and I imagine many subs feel similarly. So who is filling in for these teachers?

Same. There is rarely more information than "sub plans are on the desk," so I don't know what I would be walking into. I have subbed for content-area Learning Disabilities teachers (team taught or self-contained) and enjoy it (they contact me because I sub in their content area and can teach), but SPED is such a wide range that I have absolutely no idea what the day would look like.

+2
I definitely don't want to walk into a situation I'm not prepared for.

+3
I was just perusing the sub openings and have to say - I'm very unlikely to accept a job that doesn't have the instructions/description right there in the opening notice. Or text instructions like this: "Please see lesson plans for detailed instruction and information on class." Why not put all the detailed instructions and information right there on the website? I don't want to walk into a classroom and scramble to read instructions, get set up, right before the kids arrive. Give subs the chance to check out your instructions ahead of time! Inevitably, there is an issue with the computer, connecting, etc. Last minute scrambling in an unfamiliar class is the worst.

Because the sub plan is written the day before. I don’t have it all planned when I requested the day off 2-3 weeks prior.

I see this issue all the time for Special Ed needs. A content area teacher I have less concern - it's a little more straightforward. Knowing a special ed teacher's parking space is great, but is it a small class of students that just need 1:1 help but no disruptive students? Or is there an actual physical danger that I may be walking into? I know that because of IEP and FERPA what can be written down and publicly communicated is minimal, but if there is a more than remote chance of physical danger (knowing 2 people who suffered concussions while teaching), I'm not going to take the risk for $130 (before FICA and taxes).

I’ve never really thought about adding details to a job listing. I could put my grade level in if that helps. I guess I just assumed it showed.

That’s interesting. Where do they have assigned spaces? Just curious.

DP. Please add as much detail as possible - grade level, number of kids, a basic outline of what the day will look like - and, as the PP said, please note if there are any particularly difficult students. I have walked into some nightmare situations before and would have really appreciated a heads-up from the teacher beforehand.

One very helpful teacher posted the whole schedule for me, including all kinds of details. I was able to peruse it the night before and really prepare myself. It made the next day run so much more smoothly than other assignments, where I've received no information at all.

Except, when you put all these details into the job listing, nobody will pick it up. Who wants to deal with difficult kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a sub and constantly see sub vacancies for Special Ed positions. In fact, that's mostly what's advertised. I never accept those jobs because I haven't been trained in Special Ed, and I imagine many subs feel similarly. So who is filling in for these teachers?

Same. There is rarely more information than "sub plans are on the desk," so I don't know what I would be walking into. I have subbed for content-area Learning Disabilities teachers (team taught or self-contained) and enjoy it (they contact me because I sub in their content area and can teach), but SPED is such a wide range that I have absolutely no idea what the day would look like.

+2
I definitely don't want to walk into a situation I'm not prepared for.

+3
I was just perusing the sub openings and have to say - I'm very unlikely to accept a job that doesn't have the instructions/description right there in the opening notice. Or text instructions like this: "Please see lesson plans for detailed instruction and information on class." Why not put all the detailed instructions and information right there on the website? I don't want to walk into a classroom and scramble to read instructions, get set up, right before the kids arrive. Give subs the chance to check out your instructions ahead of time! Inevitably, there is an issue with the computer, connecting, etc. Last minute scrambling in an unfamiliar class is the worst.

Because the sub plan is written the day before. I don’t have it all planned when I requested the day off 2-3 weeks prior.

I see this issue all the time for Special Ed needs. A content area teacher I have less concern - it's a little more straightforward. Knowing a special ed teacher's parking space is great, but is it a small class of students that just need 1:1 help but no disruptive students? Or is there an actual physical danger that I may be walking into? I know that because of IEP and FERPA what can be written down and publicly communicated is minimal, but if there is a more than remote chance of physical danger (knowing 2 people who suffered concussions while teaching), I'm not going to take the risk for $130 (before FICA and taxes).

I’ve never really thought about adding details to a job listing. I could put my grade level in if that helps. I guess I just assumed it showed.

That’s interesting. Where do they have assigned spaces? Just curious.

DP. Please add as much detail as possible - grade level, number of kids, a basic outline of what the day will look like - and, as the PP said, please note if there are any particularly difficult students. I have walked into some nightmare situations before and would have really appreciated a heads-up from the teacher beforehand.

One very helpful teacher posted the whole schedule for me, including all kinds of details. I was able to peruse it the night before and really prepare myself. It made the next day run so much more smoothly than other assignments, where I've received no information at all.

Except, when you put all these details into the job listing, nobody will pick it up. Who wants to deal with difficult kids.

+1, because 25 students: 15 ESOL all Level 1 and 2, 2 SPED, with 3 behavior Issues isn’t going to get picked up quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a sub and constantly see sub vacancies for Special Ed positions. In fact, that's mostly what's advertised. I never accept those jobs because I haven't been trained in Special Ed, and I imagine many subs feel similarly. So who is filling in for these teachers?

Same. There is rarely more information than "sub plans are on the desk," so I don't know what I would be walking into. I have subbed for content-area Learning Disabilities teachers (team taught or self-contained) and enjoy it (they contact me because I sub in their content area and can teach), but SPED is such a wide range that I have absolutely no idea what the day would look like.

+2
I definitely don't want to walk into a situation I'm not prepared for.

+3
I was just perusing the sub openings and have to say - I'm very unlikely to accept a job that doesn't have the instructions/description right there in the opening notice. Or text instructions like this: "Please see lesson plans for detailed instruction and information on class." Why not put all the detailed instructions and information right there on the website? I don't want to walk into a classroom and scramble to read instructions, get set up, right before the kids arrive. Give subs the chance to check out your instructions ahead of time! Inevitably, there is an issue with the computer, connecting, etc. Last minute scrambling in an unfamiliar class is the worst.

Because the sub plan is written the day before. I don’t have it all planned when I requested the day off 2-3 weeks prior.

I see this issue all the time for Special Ed needs. A content area teacher I have less concern - it's a little more straightforward. Knowing a special ed teacher's parking space is great, but is it a small class of students that just need 1:1 help but no disruptive students? Or is there an actual physical danger that I may be walking into? I know that because of IEP and FERPA what can be written down and publicly communicated is minimal, but if there is a more than remote chance of physical danger (knowing 2 people who suffered concussions while teaching), I'm not going to take the risk for $130 (before FICA and taxes).

I’ve never really thought about adding details to a job listing. I could put my grade level in if that helps. I guess I just assumed it showed.

That’s interesting. Where do they have assigned spaces? Just curious.

DP. Please add as much detail as possible - grade level, number of kids, a basic outline of what the day will look like - and, as the PP said, please note if there are any particularly difficult students. I have walked into some nightmare situations before and would have really appreciated a heads-up from the teacher beforehand.

One very helpful teacher posted the whole schedule for me, including all kinds of details. I was able to peruse it the night before and really prepare myself. It made the next day run so much more smoothly than other assignments, where I've received no information at all.

Except, when you put all these details into the job listing, nobody will pick it up. Who wants to deal with difficult kids.

Yep, this. I have a small early primary class of 18 kids. But, 5 have major behaviors. 3 are on specific behavior plans. The social worker is in my room every day. I have tons of support because without it, physical safety would be a concern. I'm worried any day I have to be out because who knows what will happen. If I'm out, I leave a set of general plans and specific plans. The general plans have things like "how to work the smart board" "where certain things are" along with the names and issues of the 5 kids, what the sub has to do to implement the behavior plan and who/how to call in case of an emergency. I also explain where the evacuation bag is so the sub has something to work with should she find herself in the hall or a different classroom for 60-180 minutes until one of my 5 calms down enough that we can all return to the classroom. No one is going to take that job if they know all this ahead of time. And yes, I deserve a bonus for not quitting this year.

[Anonymous]

Well now I’m even less likely to pick up sub jobs. Good grief. Teachers, you deserve huge raises and all the respect in the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a sub and constantly see sub vacancies for Special Ed positions. In fact, that's mostly what's advertised. I never accept those jobs because I haven't been trained in Special Ed, and I imagine many subs feel similarly. So who is filling in for these teachers?

Same. There is rarely more information than "sub plans are on the desk," so I don't know what I would be walking into. I have subbed for content-area Learning Disabilities teachers (team taught or self-contained) and enjoy it (they contact me because I sub in their content area and can teach), but SPED is such a wide range that I have absolutely no idea what the day would look like.

+2
I definitely don't want to walk into a situation I'm not prepared for.

+3
I was just perusing the sub openings and have to say - I'm very unlikely to accept a job that doesn't have the instructions/description right there in the opening notice. Or text instructions like this: "Please see lesson plans for detailed instruction and information on class." Why not put all the detailed instructions and information right there on the website? I don't want to walk into a classroom and scramble to read instructions, get set up, right before the kids arrive. Give subs the chance to check out your instructions ahead of time! Inevitably, there is an issue with the computer, connecting, etc. Last minute scrambling in an unfamiliar class is the worst.

Because the sub plan is written the day before. I don’t have it all planned when I requested the day off 2-3 weeks prior.

I see this issue all the time for Special Ed needs. A content area teacher I have less concern - it's a little more straightforward. Knowing a special ed teacher's parking space is great, but is it a small class of students that just need 1:1 help but no disruptive students? Or is there an actual physical danger that I may be walking into? I know that because of IEP and FERPA what can be written down and publicly communicated is minimal, but if there is a more than remote chance of physical danger (knowing 2 people who suffered concussions while teaching), I'm not going to take the risk for $130 (before FICA and taxes).

I’ve never really thought about adding details to a job listing. I could put my grade level in if that helps. I guess I just assumed it showed.

That’s interesting. Where do they have assigned spaces? Just curious.

DP. Please add as much detail as possible - grade level, number of kids, a basic outline of what the day will look like - and, as the PP said, please note if there are any particularly difficult students. I have walked into some nightmare situations before and would have really appreciated a heads-up from the teacher beforehand.

One very helpful teacher posted the whole schedule for me, including all kinds of details. I was able to peruse it the night before and really prepare myself. It made the next day run so much more smoothly than other assignments, where I've received no information at all.

Except, when you put all these details into the job listing, nobody will pick it up. Who wants to deal with difficult kids.

+1, because 25 students: 15 ESOL all Level 1 and 2, 2 SPED, with 3 behavior Issues isn’t going to get picked up quickly.

And that is totally my fear when I see jobs with no info (or, you'll have a great day!) that that is the situation. Which I totally sympathize with, but they just don't pay me enough. Maybe on a high-volume day if I don't have something pre-arranged since it's an extra $80.

[Anonymous]

Current sub chiming in about leaving instructions in SmartFind and Special Ed classes. I always try to take resource or special ed positions because I feel these teachers / IAs need time off the same as anyone but it's a lot harder to find subs willing to take the day for them. If I am a Spec Ed teacher there is always an IA in the class and I usually defer to them on schedule, behaviors, etc. They know the kids and the routine, I'm just the warm body in there to keep the day going as smoothly as possible. As for instructions, I am hesitant to accept jobs that don't have at least an age range or basic description of the job requirements because I don't want to walk into a situation that blindsides me. Not good for anyone but it's amazing how many teachers/IAs don't include anything in their sub request. I am also a "go to" for a local elementary and those teachers text me directly for jobs before they submit into the formal system. I wish teachers were more attuned to how subs can help them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current sub chiming in about leaving instructions in SmartFind and Special Ed classes. I always try to take resource or special ed positions because I feel these teachers / IAs need time off the same as anyone but it's a lot harder to find subs willing to take the day for them. If I am a Spec Ed teacher there is always an IA in the class and I usually defer to them on schedule, behaviors, etc. They know the kids and the routine, I'm just the warm body in there to keep the day going as smoothly as possible. As for instructions, I am hesitant to accept jobs that don't have at least an age range or basic description of the job requirements because I don't want to walk into a situation that blindsides me. Not good for anyone but it's amazing how many teachers/IAs don't include anything in their sub request. I am also a "go to" for a local elementary and those teachers text me directly for jobs before they submit into the formal system. I wish teachers were more attuned to how subs can help them.

Maybe the county can enlighten us, because no one has told us yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Yep, this. I have a small early primary class of 18 kids. But, 5 have major behaviors. 3 are on specific behavior plans. The social worker is in my room every day. I have tons of support because without it, physical safety would be a concern. I'm worried any day I have to be out because who knows what will happen. If I'm out, I leave a set of general plans and specific plans. The general plans have things like "how to work the smart board" "where certain things are" along with the names and issues of the 5 kids, what the sub has to do to implement the behavior plan and who/how to call in case of an emergency. I also explain where the evacuation bag is so the sub has something to work with should she find herself in the hall or a different classroom for 60-180 minutes until one of my 5 calms down enough that we can all return to the classroom. No one is going to take that job if they know all this ahead of time. And yes, I deserve a bonus for not quitting this year.

I find the bold part to be the saddest and speaks volumes of what's wrong with our current approaches to overall behavior issues regardless of if SN/IEPs are involved or not. A go-bag for a classroom teacher for that reason is beyond the pale, in my opinion.

You shouldn't have to do/take that job either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year, my daughter's principal asked me to help her out by becoming a sub. I had just started a job that was pretty flexible and I was happy to help out as long as it meant keeping the school open. Before I started my job, I was a stay at home parent for years.

When I went to do the application, it required 2 recommendations - one from a current employer. Though my job was flexible, I definitely didn't feel comfortable asking my new boss to write a recommendation so I could substitute teach. And as a stay at home parent for the past 8 years, I didn't have a previous employer. As a result, I didn't apply.

The application also required transcripts from my universities - I have them but most stay at home parents don't - and it can be expensive to collect them - something like 1/2 day's work substitute teaching.

FCPS needs to temporarily make it easier for parents to substitute teach. There are a lot of parents willing to help out the schools but FCPS has not made it easy. Instead of doing everything they can to keep schools open, they are defaulting to closing schools. In the midst of an historic pandemic, it's still business as usual.

Please spare us - obviously didn’t really want to be a substitute teacher. If you ever volunteered somewhere, you could easily ask there for reference. You can also use other people, it’s not necessarily an employer. Getting transcripts from schools is like 10 minutes of your time. Most of them are now electronic and you can get them right away. Not a big deal at all.

Well that's not true. Maybe if you just got your degree yesterday and all you have is a Bachelor's, but a lot of people have multiple degrees (I have 4, plus additional credits for teaching licensure) and it can be very time-consuming, expensive, and in some cases nearly impossible to get them. At many schools, if your degrees are beyond a certain number of years old, you have to jump through a lot of hoops to get them. I have one from a school that requires a written request mailed to them, upon which they will initiate a records search, which can take up to 2 months. I requested transcripts from them years ago and never got anything back at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Yep, this. I have a small early primary class of 18 kids. But, 5 have major behaviors. 3 are on specific behavior plans. The social worker is in my room every day. I have tons of support because without it, physical safety would be a concern. I'm worried any day I have to be out because who knows what will happen. If I'm out, I leave a set of general plans and specific plans. The general plans have things like "how to work the smart board" "where certain things are" along with the names and issues of the 5 kids, what the sub has to do to implement the behavior plan and who/how to call in case of an emergency. I also explain where the evacuation bag is so the sub has something to work with should she find herself in the hall or a different classroom for 60-180 minutes until one of my 5 calms down enough that we can all return to the classroom. No one is going to take that job if they know all this ahead of time. And yes, I deserve a bonus for not quitting this year.

I find the bold part to be the saddest and speaks volumes of what's wrong with our current approaches to overall behavior issues regardless of if SN/IEPs are involved or not. A go-bag for a classroom teacher for that reason is beyond the pale, in my opinion.

You shouldn't have to do/take that job either.

+100
The description, above, should never be happening - but sadly it is. I've subbed in several classes that had similar behavioral issues and it was impossible to spend any time actually talking to other students - much less teaching them - because of the disruptive kids. I once took one of these kids to the principal's office and was made to feel like her complete disrespect and inappropriate behavior was MY fault. I never went back to that school.

Teachers should NOT have to put up with this. It's truly disgraceful that FCPS allows this to happen. Disruptive students should be removed and taught separately, by an experienced teacher (SN, if need be), with aides. The rest of the kids deserve a calm environment, conducive to learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year, my daughter's principal asked me to help her out by becoming a sub. I had just started a job that was pretty flexible and I was happy to help out as long as it meant keeping the school open. Before I started my job, I was a stay at home parent for years.

When I went to do the application, it required 2 recommendations - one from a current employer. Though my job was flexible, I definitely didn't feel comfortable asking my new boss to write a recommendation so I could substitute teach. And as a stay at home parent for the past 8 years, I didn't have a previous employer. As a result, I didn't apply.

The application also required transcripts from my universities - I have them but most stay at home parents don't - and it can be expensive to collect them - something like 1/2 day's work substitute teaching.

FCPS needs to temporarily make it easier for parents to substitute teach. There are a lot of parents willing to help out the schools but FCPS has not made it easy. Instead of doing everything they can to keep schools open, they are defaulting to closing schools. In the midst of an historic pandemic, it's still business as usual.

Please spare us - obviously didn’t really want to be a substitute teacher. If you ever volunteered somewhere, you could easily ask there for reference. You can also use other people, it’s not necessarily an employer. Getting transcripts from schools is like 10 minutes of your time. Most of them are now electronic and you can get them right away. Not a big deal at all.

Well that's not true. Maybe if you just got your degree yesterday and all you have is a Bachelor's, but a lot of people have multiple degrees (I have 4, plus additional credits for teaching licensure) and it can be very time-consuming, expensive, and in some cases nearly impossible to get them. At many schools, if your degrees are beyond a certain number of years old, you have to jump through a lot of hoops to get them. I have one from a school that requires a written request mailed to them, upon which they will initiate a records search, which can take up to 2 months. I requested transcripts from them years ago and never got anything back at all.

+1
I wasn't able to start subbing until my college sent my transcripts to me by snail mail. It took almost a month. It's ridiculous that they don't have that automated by now, but it's not the sub's fault.