Make it easier to become a substitute teacher

[Anonymous]

I always ask for a letter of reference when I leave a job. Am I the only one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree that lowering the requirements should be easier.

In my case, I was not comfortable with a reference from a current employer, for obvious reasons.

However, I had glowing recs from a volunteer organization (elementary kids focused) and that should be sufficient. It's actually more relevant than my paid current job. But I was initially rejected for not providing the right kinds of recs.

It was totally stupid. HR just doesn't want to do the legwork to actually hire good subs who are a little outside the paradigm.

No, they don't want to risk hiring people who could be dangerous, neglectful, or both. I can't believe so many of you are so desperate to have your kids in school with any warm body (and not actually learning anything) that you would lower the standards and requirements for who should be around your children. Mind boggling.

Again, it’s not about lowering standards. It’s about making them more appropriate for the population schools could be recruiting from. You don’t need a transcript for a sub, confirmation that they graduated college should be enough. You don’t need current employer references. Community references should be enough.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone here is over estimating the caliber of current subs. My child had a long term sub last semester that spoke little English. At first I thought my second grader was just complaining since she adored her teacher who went on a health related leave. However, after speaking with the teacher several times and receiving class emails from her that are difficult to read (looks like it was done through google translate) it appears to be a significant issue. Even if she checked all the boxes and is good at controlling a class, teaching 7 and 8 year olds to read in a language she struggles with herself is less than ideal.

+1000

As a teacher, I wish to God all of you who are discouraging this parent’s efforts and ideas at creating a wider pool of substitutes (ones who write well and who have had children and are part of the community!) to SHUT THE HAKES UP!

I don’t care about the gossip crap or whether or not Mrs. Jones actually finished all four years at JMU. If she is a responsible person, familiar with children, articulate, and is a stakeholder in the community, she should at the very least get an interview.

This talk about educational “qualifications” makes me laugh. Are you kidding me? You all have not met many FCPS subs.

[Anonymous]

It's funny, because no one had said that they need better degrees or more education, just that subs should be able to, at a minimum, meet the minimums: get a letter of reference from an employee so the school knows they can come to work on time and that they are reliable when given a schedule.

If that is so difficult to do, or impossible, then come on...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone here is over estimating the caliber of current subs. My child had a long term sub last semester that spoke little English. At first I thought my second grader was just complaining since she adored her teacher who went on a health related leave. However, after speaking with the teacher several times and receiving class emails from her that are difficult to read (looks like it was done through google translate) it appears to be a significant issue. Even if she checked all the boxes and is good at controlling a class, teaching 7 and 8 year olds to read in a language she struggles with herself is less than ideal.

+1000

As a teacher, I wish to God all of you who are discouraging this parent’s efforts and ideas at creating a wider pool of substitutes (ones who write well and who have had children and are part of the community!) to SHUT THE HAKES UP!

I don’t care about the gossip crap or whether or not Mrs. Jones actually finished all four years at JMU. If she is a responsible person, familiar with children, articulate, and is a stakeholder in the community, she should at the very least get an interview.

This talk about educational “qualifications” makes me laugh. Are you kidding me? You all have not met many FCPS subs.

Subs come in all calibers, as do teachers. Plenty of SAHMs are subs, so they must have found a way through the system.
OP, did you call FCPS and ask? (-ES Teacher)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone here is over estimating the caliber of current subs. My child had a long term sub last semester that spoke little English. At first I thought my second grader was just complaining since she adored her teacher who went on a health related leave. However, after speaking with the teacher several times and receiving class emails from her that are difficult to read (looks like it was done through google translate) it appears to be a significant issue. Even if she checked all the boxes and is good at controlling a class, teaching 7 and 8 year olds to read in a language she struggles with herself is less than ideal.

Principals do meet with long-term subs, so she passed some type of test. Even if it was the warm body test. If someone better was available, they would have been there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone here is over estimating the caliber of current subs. My child had a long term sub last semester that spoke little English. At first I thought my second grader was just complaining since she adored her teacher who went on a health related leave. However, after speaking with the teacher several times and receiving class emails from her that are difficult to read (looks like it was done through google translate) it appears to be a significant issue. Even if she checked all the boxes and is good at controlling a class, teaching 7 and 8 year olds to read in a language she struggles with herself is less than ideal.

Agree 100%. This was a problem before Covid. It was even discussed years ago when FCPS surveyed principals about the sub situation. Anyone can take the pre-employment screener and there is no way to verify that the person taking the screener is the person who is applying to sub because it's always been done remotely. FCPS' answer to this concern was to make a "quiz" at the end of the in person sub orientation where applicants had to write in answers to 3-4 questions. I really doubt HR reads the answers to the questions or checks to make sure each applicant turned in the quiz. My kids have had subs in elementary school who cannot read lesson plans and struggled with read aloud books that are on a second grade level. My husband's first language is not English and I am understanding of the plights of our ESL population. That doesn't mean it's safe to leave kids with a supervising adult who may be unable to read if a student is on a medical flag list or cannot read the plans if there's a fire or lockdown drill, or worse, a true emergency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone here is over estimating the caliber of current subs. My child had a long term sub last semester that spoke little English. At first I thought my second grader was just complaining since she adored her teacher who went on a health related leave. However, after speaking with the teacher several times and receiving class emails from her that are difficult to read (looks like it was done through google translate) it appears to be a significant issue. Even if she checked all the boxes and is good at controlling a class, teaching 7 and 8 year olds to read in a language she struggles with herself is less than ideal.

Agree 100%. This was a problem before Covid. It was even discussed years ago when FCPS surveyed principals about the sub situation. Anyone can take the pre-employment screener and there is no way to verify that the person taking the screener is the person who is applying to sub because it's always been done remotely. FCPS' answer to this concern was to make a "quiz" at the end of the in person sub orientation where applicants had to write in answers to 3-4 questions. I really doubt HR reads the answers to the questions or checks to make sure each applicant turned in the quiz. My kids have had subs in elementary school who cannot read lesson plans and struggled with read aloud books that are on a second grade level. My husband's first language is not English and I am understanding of the plights of our ESL population. That doesn't mean it's safe to leave kids with a supervising adult who may be unable to read if a student is on a medical flag list or cannot read the plans if there's a fire or lockdown drill, or worse, a true emergency.

Lots of kids around here have Daycare workers and nannies who don’t speak English. I don’t think that many parents care tbh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone here is over estimating the caliber of current subs. My child had a long term sub last semester that spoke little English. At first I thought my second grader was just complaining since she adored her teacher who went on a health related leave. However, after speaking with the teacher several times and receiving class emails from her that are difficult to read (looks like it was done through google translate) it appears to be a significant issue. Even if she checked all the boxes and is good at controlling a class, teaching 7 and 8 year olds to read in a language she struggles with herself is less than ideal.

Agree 100%. This was a problem before Covid. It was even discussed years ago when FCPS surveyed principals about the sub situation. Anyone can take the pre-employment screener and there is no way to verify that the person taking the screener is the person who is applying to sub because it's always been done remotely. FCPS' answer to this concern was to make a "quiz" at the end of the in person sub orientation where applicants had to write in answers to 3-4 questions. I really doubt HR reads the answers to the questions or checks to make sure each applicant turned in the quiz. My kids have had subs in elementary school who cannot read lesson plans and struggled with read aloud books that are on a second grade level. My husband's first language is not English and I am understanding of the plights of our ESL population. That doesn't mean it's safe to leave kids with a supervising adult who may be unable to read if a student is on a medical flag list or cannot read the plans if there's a fire or lockdown drill, or worse, a true emergency.

But this is who is attracted to the job. If you want better candidates, you have to offer higher pay and benefits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone here is over estimating the caliber of current subs. My child had a long term sub last semester that spoke little English. At first I thought my second grader was just complaining since she adored her teacher who went on a health related leave. However, after speaking with the teacher several times and receiving class emails from her that are difficult to read (looks like it was done through google translate) it appears to be a significant issue. Even if she checked all the boxes and is good at controlling a class, teaching 7 and 8 year olds to read in a language she struggles with herself is less than ideal.

+1000

As a teacher, I wish to God all of you who are discouraging this parent’s efforts and ideas at creating a wider pool of substitutes (ones who write well and who have had children and are part of the community!) to SHUT THE HAKES UP!

I don’t care about the gossip crap or whether or not Mrs. Jones actually finished all four years at JMU. If she is a responsible person, familiar with children, articulate, and is a stakeholder in the community, she should at the very least get an interview.

This talk about educational “qualifications” makes me laugh. Are you kidding me? You all have not met many FCPS subs.

+1

Many, many parents (working or not) do not want fellow parents (no matter how qualified) in the school, and go to great lengths to try to keep them out.

They simply do not want anyone to glean any knowledge about their "sweet little Johnny" who has a penchant for throwing chairs across the room at least twice a day.

I have seen it, and it really is that simple, sadly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone here is over estimating the caliber of current subs. My child had a long term sub last semester that spoke little English. At first I thought my second grader was just complaining since she adored her teacher who went on a health related leave. However, after speaking with the teacher several times and receiving class emails from her that are difficult to read (looks like it was done through google translate) it appears to be a significant issue. Even if she checked all the boxes and is good at controlling a class, teaching 7 and 8 year olds to read in a language she struggles with herself is less than ideal.

Agree 100%. This was a problem before Covid. It was even discussed years ago when FCPS surveyed principals about the sub situation. Anyone can take the pre-employment screener and there is no way to verify that the person taking the screener is the person who is applying to sub because it's always been done remotely. FCPS' answer to this concern was to make a "quiz" at the end of the in person sub orientation where applicants had to write in answers to 3-4 questions. I really doubt HR reads the answers to the questions or checks to make sure each applicant turned in the quiz. My kids have had subs in elementary school who cannot read lesson plans and struggled with read aloud books that are on a second grade level. My husband's first language is not English and I am understanding of the plights of our ESL population. That doesn't mean it's safe to leave kids with a supervising adult who may be unable to read if a student is on a medical flag list or cannot read the plans if there's a fire or lockdown drill, or worse, a true emergency.

But this is who is attracted to the job. If you want better candidates, you have to offer higher pay and benefits.

PP and I agree. The pay should be at least double what is offered, especially for long term jobs or for subs who work over a certain # of days per year. Subs aren't eligible for benefits aside from a 403(b), which costs the county nothing. That alone should be reason to increase their pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone here is over estimating the caliber of current subs. My child had a long term sub last semester that spoke little English. At first I thought my second grader was just complaining since she adored her teacher who went on a health related leave. However, after speaking with the teacher several times and receiving class emails from her that are difficult to read (looks like it was done through google translate) it appears to be a significant issue. Even if she checked all the boxes and is good at controlling a class, teaching 7 and 8 year olds to read in a language she struggles with herself is less than ideal.

Agree 100%. This was a problem before Covid. It was even discussed years ago when FCPS surveyed principals about the sub situation. Anyone can take the pre-employment screener and there is no way to verify that the person taking the screener is the person who is applying to sub because it's always been done remotely. FCPS' answer to this concern was to make a "quiz" at the end of the in person sub orientation where applicants had to write in answers to 3-4 questions. I really doubt HR reads the answers to the questions or checks to make sure each applicant turned in the quiz. My kids have had subs in elementary school who cannot read lesson plans and struggled with read aloud books that are on a second grade level. My husband's first language is not English and I am understanding of the plights of our ESL population. That doesn't mean it's safe to leave kids with a supervising adult who may be unable to read if a student is on a medical flag list or cannot read the plans if there's a fire or lockdown drill, or worse, a true emergency.

But this is who is attracted to the job. If you want better candidates, you have to offer higher pay and benefits.

PP and I agree. The pay should be at least double what is offered, especially for long term jobs or for subs who work over a certain # of days per year. Subs aren't eligible for benefits aside from a 403(b), which costs the county nothing. That alone should be reason to increase their pay.

Link? Link to pay information?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone here is over estimating the caliber of current subs. My child had a long term sub last semester that spoke little English. At first I thought my second grader was just complaining since she adored her teacher who went on a health related leave. However, after speaking with the teacher several times and receiving class emails from her that are difficult to read (looks like it was done through google translate) it appears to be a significant issue. Even if she checked all the boxes and is good at controlling a class, teaching 7 and 8 year olds to read in a language she struggles with herself is less than ideal.

Agree 100%. This was a problem before Covid. It was even discussed years ago when FCPS surveyed principals about the sub situation. Anyone can take the pre-employment screener and there is no way to verify that the person taking the screener is the person who is applying to sub because it's always been done remotely. FCPS' answer to this concern was to make a "quiz" at the end of the in person sub orientation where applicants had to write in answers to 3-4 questions. I really doubt HR reads the answers to the questions or checks to make sure each applicant turned in the quiz. My kids have had subs in elementary school who cannot read lesson plans and struggled with read aloud books that are on a second grade level. My husband's first language is not English and I am understanding of the plights of our ESL population. That doesn't mean it's safe to leave kids with a supervising adult who may be unable to read if a student is on a medical flag list or cannot read the plans if there's a fire or lockdown drill, or worse, a true emergency.

But this is who is attracted to the job. If you want better candidates, you have to offer higher pay and benefits.

PP and I agree. The pay should be at least double what is offered, especially for long term jobs or for subs who work over a certain # of days per year. Subs aren't eligible for benefits aside from a 403(b), which costs the county nothing. That alone should be reason to increase their pay.

Link? Link to pay information?

It was something like $14.50, did they up it to $17 now?

[Anonymous]

I’m with OP. The lack of an employer (current or past) reference should not be kicking out candidates. Screen them out during interviews. And if they suck do not hire them again. It is a temp job not a permanent one.

As for transcripts - applicants should be allowed to either send that OR send proof (such as a copy of their diploma) that they graduated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m with OP. The lack of an employer (current or past) reference should not be kicking out candidates. Screen them out during interviews. And if they suck do not hire them again. It is a temp job not a permanent one.

As for transcripts - applicants should be allowed to either send that OR send proof (such as a copy of their diploma) that they graduated.

+1. I’ve had the same part-time job for 15 years. No, I’m not asking them for a reference to work somewhere else. I don’t have contact info for my previous employers. But I’ve served on the PTO board, been a room parent multiple times, volunteered many hours at school. Presumably it’s clear that I’m reliable enough to show up on time and perform duties as needed, without chasing down a thirty-year old college transcript.

Keep people like me out, and you’ll keep getting subs like pp’s who can’t speak or write English.