Too old to effectively sub?

[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.

Yes, and the Redskins still have a 20 year waiting list for season tickets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It’s partly that it’s older (and culturally different) children than this individual has taught. I think it’s most the physical strain which is considerable. Up and down the stairs. The fact that as a long-term sub, s/he must attend meetings and grade so the “off” time isn’t a break anymore.

[mmmb]

It's our responsibility to speak up, and you have. And, I believe, there's also another side to a story we can't always know. Situations have a way of working themselves out. You did your part. Just be the best you can, when you can, and how you can. Take care!

[Anonymous]

There aren't enough Subs in the system today. Everyday schools have jobs that aren't picked up. Everyday Subs drop other jobs they had picked up, for what they perceive as better sub jobs. Subs make 19 bucks an hour, have to go through the same modules of training as a full-time mcps teacher or staff member (only they don't get paid for the hours it takes to go through those modules, which I believe at a minimum is 3 hours, and that's if the system works when you use it. For many it doesn't. It crashes and burns and takes many hours and many calls to the help desk to get through it). And oh, BTW, they get treated like dirt by the schools and the kids where they teach. Trying to get rid of one is going to be next to Impossible, because there's always a school that needs a body.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've worked in an elementary school for many years and my take is that there is no age too old, no IQ too low, no grasp of the English language too weak, and no lack of common sense too great.

And most of this is because there is a major sub shortage everywhere.

lot of truth here. who wants to sub for less per hour than a babysitter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Perhaps you could volunteer your services for babysitter (or less) wages??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Perhaps you could volunteer your services for babysitter (or less) wages??

I subbed for two years so I know what it entails. Now I’m a certified veteran teacher. This horrible sub could volunteer his/her services at Walmart or McDonald’s without hurting children who are already vulnerable. And I bet would treat adult customers with more respect than these young ones who simply want to be taught.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There aren't enough Subs in the system today. Everyday schools have jobs that aren't picked up. Everyday Subs drop other jobs they had picked up, for what they perceive as better sub jobs. Subs make 19 bucks an hour, have to go through the same modules of training as a full-time mcps teacher or staff member (only they don't get paid for the hours it takes to go through those modules, which I believe at a minimum is 3 hours, and that's if the system works when you use it. For many it doesn't. It crashes and burns and takes many hours and many calls to the help desk to get through it). And oh, BTW, they get treated like dirt by the schools and the kids where they teach. Trying to get rid of one is going to be next to Impossible, because there's always a school that needs a body.

Teachers didn’t get paid to go through them either.