Make it easier to become a substitute teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP
I’m retiring at the end of this SY and may likely sub afterward. I’m wondering if I should request my old transcripts this winter or spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP
I’m retiring at the end of this SY and may likely sub afterward. I’m wondering if I should request my old transcripts this winter or spring.

Definitely! Though your university may do it electronically, so it wouldn't necessarily take as long.

[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.

Most schools with classes like that have plans in place for someone within the school - or a regular, known sub - to cover in the event of absence. I'm sorry to hear your principal doesn't have something in place for you. But not surprised.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP
I’m retiring at the end of this SY and may likely sub afterward. I’m wondering if I should request my old transcripts this winter or spring.

Definitely! Though your university may do it electronically, so it wouldn't necessarily take as long.

I applied and was told teachers who retired recently don’t need to submit transcripts and letters of recommendation.

Has anyone on here recently applied? How long did it take to hear something back from HR? I realize as a retired teacher I need a 3 month separation before subbing.

[Anonymous]

I found the website and all the technology intimidating to navigate to even try to apply. There was nobody to speak to who could help me. I gave up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP
I’m retiring at the end of this SY and may likely sub afterward. I’m wondering if I should request my old transcripts this winter or spring.

Definitely! Though your university may do it electronically, so it wouldn't necessarily take as long.

I applied and was told teachers who retired recently don’t need to submit transcripts and letters of recommendation.

Has anyone on here recently applied? How long did it take to hear something back from HR? I realize as a retired teacher I need a 3 month separation before subbing.

I heard back a few weeks later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I found the website and all the technology intimidating to navigate to even try to apply. There was nobody to speak to who could help me. I gave up.

If the online application was too difficult, then subbing isn’t for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I found the website and all the technology intimidating to navigate to even try to apply. There was nobody to speak to who could help me. I gave up.

If the online application was too difficult, then subbing isn’t for you.

There were literally no directions on what to do after you upload your documents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP
I’m retiring at the end of this SY and may likely sub afterward. I’m wondering if I should request my old transcripts this winter or spring.

Definitely! Though your university may do it electronically, so it wouldn't necessarily take as long.

I applied and was told teachers who retired recently don’t need to submit transcripts and letters of recommendation.

Has anyone on here recently applied? How long did it take to hear something back from HR? I realize as a retired teacher I need a 3 month separation before subbing.

I heard back a few weeks later.

Thank you. I completed the application on June 27, so if I don’t hear anything by mid-August or so I’ll give them a call.

The one thing that was odd was that the application itself required the entry of references. When I called HR they knew immediately what I was asking (retired teachers don’t require references) and told me to just enter my own info with a note that I am a retired teacher. Now I keep getting emails letting me know I was listed as a reference and requests to complete reference forms for the applicant which is me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I found the website and all the technology intimidating to navigate to even try to apply. There was nobody to speak to who could help me. I gave up.

If the online application was too difficult, then subbing isn’t for you.

There were literally no directions on what to do after you upload your documents.

NP here but I have to agree.
Subs are not handed anything; you have to work for this role. If you are not curious and eager enough to get through the application process, then you will not succeed at the difficult task of leading and guiding a class of students whose regular classroom teacher is out for the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I found the website and all the technology intimidating to navigate to even try to apply. There was nobody to speak to who could help me. I gave up.

If the online application was too difficult, then subbing isn’t for you.

There were literally no directions on what to do after you upload your documents.

NP here but I have to agree.
Subs are not handed anything; you have to work for this role. If you are not curious and eager enough to get through the application process, then you will not succeed at the difficult task of leading and guiding a class of students whose regular classroom teacher is out for the day.

What are you talking about? They are given sub plans. Leading and guiding a class has nothing to do with the crazy hoops you have to jump through to sub.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I found the website and all the technology intimidating to navigate to even try to apply. There was nobody to speak to who could help me. I gave up.

If the online application was too difficult, then subbing isn’t for you.

There were literally no directions on what to do after you upload your documents.

NP here but I have to agree.
Subs are not handed anything; you have to work for this role. If you are not curious and eager enough to get through the application process, then you will not succeed at the difficult task of leading and guiding a class of students whose regular classroom teacher is out for the day.

What are you talking about? They are given sub plans. Leading and guiding a class has nothing to do with the crazy hoops you have to jump through to sub.

NP, sub plans are often anything from a post-it note to 4-page plans. Often times, not enough work is left for the time duration or the physical assignment is not on the desk or in Schoology. There are often gaps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I found the website and all the technology intimidating to navigate to even try to apply. There was nobody to speak to who could help me. I gave up.

If the online application was too difficult, then subbing isn’t for you.

There were literally no directions on what to do after you upload your documents.

NP here but I have to agree.
Subs are not handed anything; you have to work for this role. If you are not curious and eager enough to get through the application process, then you will not succeed at the difficult task of leading and guiding a class of students whose regular classroom teacher is out for the day.

What are you talking about? They are given sub plans. Leading and guiding a class has nothing to do with the crazy hoops you have to jump through to sub.

NP, sub plans are often anything from a post-it note to 4-page plans. Often times, not enough work is left for the time duration or the physical assignment is not on the desk or in Schoology. There are often gaps.

Bull. Not in elementary school. Teachers are required to have emergency plans written that anyone can follow. But usually, when they are out, even when sick, they take the time to write detailed sub plans. Plans can be emailed to teammates who print them out for the sub. Teachers notoriously overplan.

What usually happens is the sub has no clue about time management and actually can’t finish the lesson in the designated time.

Ask me know I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I found the website and all the technology intimidating to navigate to even try to apply. There was nobody to speak to who could help me. I gave up.

If the online application was too difficult, then subbing isn’t for you.

There were literally no directions on what to do after you upload your documents.

NP here but I have to agree.
Subs are not handed anything; you have to work for this role. If you are not curious and eager enough to get through the application process, then you will not succeed at the difficult task of leading and guiding a class of students whose regular classroom teacher is out for the day.

What are you talking about? They are given sub plans. Leading and guiding a class has nothing to do with the crazy hoops you have to jump through to sub.

NP, sub plans are often anything from a post-it note to 4-page plans. Often times, not enough work is left for the time duration or the physical assignment is not on the desk or in Schoology. There are often gaps.

Bull. Not in elementary school. Teachers are required to have emergency plans written that anyone can follow. But usually, when they are out, even when sick, they take the time to write detailed sub plans. Plans can be emailed to teammates who print them out for the sub. Teachers notoriously overplan.

What usually happens is the sub has no clue about time management and actually can’t finish the lesson in the designated time.

Ask me know I know.

I’m the PP, ask me how I know about the post-it note subplans (even in ES). I said some teachers leave detailed plans, but not all do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You people are insane. You would give this person a job with students because her post makes her seem “high quality”? It’s clear none of you have ever actually worked in a school.

Given the quality of some of the aides at our top school, I think you may be blind to the literacy levels of some people working in your school.