Substitute bait-and-switch

[Anonymous]

OK, first of all, you were supposed to sub for a teacher or aid, and neither one ever has actual cleaning duty in the cafeteria. Crowd control yes, cleaning no. So you did not need to agree to that part, and they were way over the line even asking you to do it. Second, other than the cleaning, substitutes take the place of teachers, and teachers often do get asked to run around to different places and do extra duties like cafeteria duty (with NO cleaning, though). So you shouldn't complain about that, as plenty of teachers have to do the same (specialists get pulled all the time to do this and that around the school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, first of all, you were supposed to sub for a teacher or aid, and neither one ever has actual cleaning duty in the cafeteria. Crowd control yes, cleaning no. So you did not need to agree to that part, and they were way over the line even asking you to do it. Second, other than the cleaning, substitutes take the place of teachers, and teachers often do get asked to run around to different places and do extra duties like cafeteria duty (with NO cleaning, though). So you shouldn't complain about that, as plenty of teachers have to do the same (specialists get pulled all the time to do this and that around the school).

Teacher here - I have had to do lunch duty, and I have helped clean up spills and messes during lunch. The custodians do a thorough cleaning after lunches are over, but when on lunch duty we don't call the custodians every time a child spills something, we help clean it up the best we can so the child can finish their lunch in the short 30 minutes they have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
They pay you, right? If they sent you home, would they still pay you? For having showed up in the morning, paid for childcare and cleared your day?

I scrubbed tables, swept, cleaned up, wipes noses, when I volunteered for the PTA (when you organize entire events, sometimes you have to do that). I have two graduate degrees. No work is demeaning.

I think part of the work of a sub is to be placed where the need is, but maybe I'm not fully understanding the situation.

I'm a teacher. We went where needed, within the job description of a teacher. I don't think it's taking advantage - elementary school requires being a team player. But non-teacher duties, like cleaning or wiping noses, that is not acceptable. Teacher duties can include cafeteria duty, but not the cleaning part. Also, I was a PTA volunteer also, and scrubbed plenty of tables while organizing events, but that's a whole different thing. Teachers aren't volunteers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, first of all, you were supposed to sub for a teacher or aid, and neither one ever has actual cleaning duty in the cafeteria. Crowd control yes, cleaning no. So you did not need to agree to that part, and they were way over the line even asking you to do it. Second, other than the cleaning, substitutes take the place of teachers, and teachers often do get asked to run around to different places and do extra duties like cafeteria duty (with NO cleaning, though). So you shouldn't complain about that, as plenty of teachers have to do the same (specialists get pulled all the time to do this and that around the school).

Teacher here - I have had to do lunch duty, and I have helped clean up spills and messes during lunch. The custodians do a thorough cleaning after lunches are over, but when on lunch duty we don't call the custodians every time a child spills something, we help clean it up the best we can so the child can finish their lunch in the short 30 minutes they have.

I was the PP who said we did not do cleaning - but when you put it like that, I guess we do. But I would do something like that as a kindness to the child, not as part of my job. I was envisioning the actual cleaning duties of the cafeteria staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a sub who is really sick of accepting a job, only to arrive at the school and be told I'll be doing something else. This has happened to me four times in the last month. Most recently, I signed up to sub for a 3rd grade teacher. Upon arrival, I was told they didn't need me anymore, but would I please monitor the cafeteria for two hours and then report back to the office for further instructions? I was furious, but tried to remain outwardly flexible and friendly, so I did as I was asked. After two miserable hours in the cafeteria, getting to clean up messes and scrub tables while surrounded by ear-splitting decibels, I returned to the office. I was then asked to cover for a couple of different teachers, which had me running back and forth to their classes until dismissal when I was told to help with bus duty.

Schools: when subs accept a job, make sure that you call them to cancel if they're no longer needed. This is not acceptable.

You sound a little entitled. Many teachers have to do lunch duty. When I do it, I help the custodians wipe the tables in between lunches, since the lunches are one right after the other. But we need subs so badly that schools will want you no matter what your attitude is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I teach ESOL and if I secure a sub, they almost always get pulled to cover a class. I feel so badly about it, I don’t even want a sub for my groups but they encourage us to get coverage so those students get the hours of services, but then they don’t.

I would put your foot down on the cafeteria duty, but I think the rest you may have to suck up. The flexibility of subbing benefits you, but you need to be flexible as well for the school. The needs are so big right now.

Thank you so much!! Please don’t give up!

Let's be clear here: there is very little that benefits being a sub, who get paid half as much an hour as an entry level teacher with no healthcare or pension or PTO, but one thing that does is: BEING ABLE TO DECIDE IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A JOB or not. Choosing to take a job, showing up and being told you are in fact going to do something else is BS.

If teachers or schools or front office staff are rude to subs, you make your own bed....

[Anonymous]

So just say that you agreed to sub for ______ grade and if that position is no longer needed, you'll go home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a sub who is really sick of accepting a job, only to arrive at the school and be told I'll be doing something else. This has happened to me four times in the last month. Most recently, I signed up to sub for a 3rd grade teacher. Upon arrival, I was told they didn't need me anymore, but would I please monitor the cafeteria for two hours and then report back to the office for further instructions? I was furious, but tried to remain outwardly flexible and friendly, so I did as I was asked. After two miserable hours in the cafeteria, getting to clean up messes and scrub tables while surrounded by ear-splitting decibels, I returned to the office. I was then asked to cover for a couple of different teachers, which had me running back and forth to their classes until dismissal when I was told to help with bus duty.

Schools: when subs accept a job, make sure that you call them to cancel if they're no longer needed. This is not acceptable.

I'm sorry you feel this way, but this is my life as a non-classroom teacher. I go into work each day holding my breath to see if I will have a normal day, where I can do my actual job, or if I will be pulled for other duties. I am often doing cafeteria/recess duty/bus duty, covering a classroom, covering as a one-to-one para for a special needs child, or even sitting with a child who cannot be in their classroom after a significant behavior issue. This is the reality of public education today, with teacher and sub shortages. You are allowed to say no and ask how else you could help, or just leave. We have had subs do this in the past, and then we have subs who understand our struggles and pitch in however they are asked.

But it's not ok and we all need to start saying that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a sub who is really sick of accepting a job, only to arrive at the school and be told I'll be doing something else. This has happened to me four times in the last month. Most recently, I signed up to sub for a 3rd grade teacher. Upon arrival, I was told they didn't need me anymore, but would I please monitor the cafeteria for two hours and then report back to the office for further instructions? I was furious, but tried to remain outwardly flexible and friendly, so I did as I was asked. After two miserable hours in the cafeteria, getting to clean up messes and scrub tables while surrounded by ear-splitting decibels, I returned to the office. I was then asked to cover for a couple of different teachers, which had me running back and forth to their classes until dismissal when I was told to help with bus duty.

Schools: when subs accept a job, make sure that you call them to cancel if they're no longer needed. This is not acceptable.

I'm sorry you feel this way, but this is my life as a non-classroom teacher. I go into work each day holding my breath to see if I will have a normal day, where I can do my actual job, or if I will be pulled for other duties. I am often doing cafeteria/recess duty/bus duty, covering a classroom, covering as a one-to-one para for a special needs child, or even sitting with a child who cannot be in their classroom after a significant behavior issue. This is the reality of public education today, with teacher and sub shortages. You are allowed to say no and ask how else you could help, or just leave. We have had subs do this in the past, and then we have subs who understand our struggles and pitch in however they are asked.

But it's not ok and we all need to start saying that.

Public education-gaslighting at it's best-"do it for the kids" "be a team player" "do whatever is needed" ENOUGH is ENOUGH! The reason we have no subs and teachers leaving is because all around education disrespects the people in these positions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a sub who is really sick of accepting a job, only to arrive at the school and be told I'll be doing something else. This has happened to me four times in the last month. Most recently, I signed up to sub for a 3rd grade teacher. Upon arrival, I was told they didn't need me anymore, but would I please monitor the cafeteria for two hours and then report back to the office for further instructions? I was furious, but tried to remain outwardly flexible and friendly, so I did as I was asked. After two miserable hours in the cafeteria, getting to clean up messes and scrub tables while surrounded by ear-splitting decibels, I returned to the office. I was then asked to cover for a couple of different teachers, which had me running back and forth to their classes until dismissal when I was told to help with bus duty.

Schools: when subs accept a job, make sure that you call them to cancel if they're no longer needed. This is not acceptable.

I'm sorry you feel this way, but this is my life as a non-classroom teacher. I go into work each day holding my breath to see if I will have a normal day, where I can do my actual job, or if I will be pulled for other duties. I am often doing cafeteria/recess duty/bus duty, covering a classroom, covering as a one-to-one para for a special needs child, or even sitting with a child who cannot be in their classroom after a significant behavior issue. This is the reality of public education today, with teacher and sub shortages. You are allowed to say no and ask how else you could help, or just leave. We have had subs do this in the past, and then we have subs who understand our struggles and pitch in however they are asked.

But it's not ok and we all need to start saying that.

Public education-gaslighting at it's best-"do it for the kids" "be a team player" "do whatever is needed" ENOUGH is ENOUGH! The reason we have no subs and teachers leaving is because all around education disrespects the people in these positions.

What’s the alternative? We all say no and the kids have to go home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, first of all, you were supposed to sub for a teacher or aid, and neither one ever has actual cleaning duty in the cafeteria. Crowd control yes, cleaning no. So you did not need to agree to that part, and they were way over the line even asking you to do it. Second, other than the cleaning, substitutes take the place of teachers, and teachers often do get asked to run around to different places and do extra duties like cafeteria duty (with NO cleaning, though). So you shouldn't complain about that, as plenty of teachers have to do the same (specialists get pulled all the time to do this and that around the school).

In an elementary school? I taught for 30 years (now subbing) and I never had to cover another class (I had my own) and I never had lunch duty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, first of all, you were supposed to sub for a teacher or aid, and neither one ever has actual cleaning duty in the cafeteria. Crowd control yes, cleaning no. So you did not need to agree to that part, and they were way over the line even asking you to do it. Second, other than the cleaning, substitutes take the place of teachers, and teachers often do get asked to run around to different places and do extra duties like cafeteria duty (with NO cleaning, though). So you shouldn't complain about that, as plenty of teachers have to do the same (specialists get pulled all the time to do this and that around the school).

In an elementary school? I taught for 30 years (now subbing) and I never had to cover another class (I had my own) and I never had lunch duty.

Things have changed drastically since Covid. When I first started teaching we rarely had a teacher out without a sub. Now it is a daily occurrence with usually more than one teacher out, paras out (who cannot even get subs anymore).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, first of all, you were supposed to sub for a teacher or aid, and neither one ever has actual cleaning duty in the cafeteria. Crowd control yes, cleaning no. So you did not need to agree to that part, and they were way over the line even asking you to do it. Second, other than the cleaning, substitutes take the place of teachers, and teachers often do get asked to run around to different places and do extra duties like cafeteria duty (with NO cleaning, though). So you shouldn't complain about that, as plenty of teachers have to do the same (specialists get pulled all the time to do this and that around the school).

In an elementary school? I taught for 30 years (now subbing) and I never had to cover another class (I had my own) and I never had lunch duty.

Things have changed drastically since Covid. When I first started teaching we rarely had a teacher out without a sub. Now it is a daily occurrence with usually more than one teacher out, paras out (who cannot even get subs anymore).

Also many vacant para educator positions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a sub who is really sick of accepting a job, only to arrive at the school and be told I'll be doing something else. This has happened to me four times in the last month. Most recently, I signed up to sub for a 3rd grade teacher. Upon arrival, I was told they didn't need me anymore, but would I please monitor the cafeteria for two hours and then report back to the office for further instructions? I was furious, but tried to remain outwardly flexible and friendly, so I did as I was asked. After two miserable hours in the cafeteria, getting to clean up messes and scrub tables while surrounded by ear-splitting decibels, I returned to the office. I was then asked to cover for a couple of different teachers, which had me running back and forth to their classes until dismissal when I was told to help with bus duty.

Schools: when subs accept a job, make sure that you call them to cancel if they're no longer needed. This is not acceptable.

I'm sorry you feel this way, but this is my life as a non-classroom teacher. I go into work each day holding my breath to see if I will have a normal day, where I can do my actual job, or if I will be pulled for other duties. I am often doing cafeteria/recess duty/bus duty, covering a classroom, covering as a one-to-one para for a special needs child, or even sitting with a child who cannot be in their classroom after a significant behavior issue. This is the reality of public education today, with teacher and sub shortages. You are allowed to say no and ask how else you could help, or just leave. We have had subs do this in the past, and then we have subs who understand our struggles and pitch in however they are asked.

But it's not ok and we all need to start saying that.

Public education-gaslighting at it's best-"do it for the kids" "be a team player" "do whatever is needed" ENOUGH is ENOUGH! The reason we have no subs and teachers leaving is because all around education disrespects the people in these positions.

What’s the alternative? We all say no and the kids have to go home?

It’s called voting with your feet. In my district they raised sub pay. I think to address teacher shortages they need to pay more in addition to giving teachers more support to do everything they’re asking them to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK, first of all, you were supposed to sub for a teacher or aid, and neither one ever has actual cleaning duty in the cafeteria. Crowd control yes, cleaning no. So you did not need to agree to that part, and they were way over the line even asking you to do it. Second, other than the cleaning, substitutes take the place of teachers, and teachers often do get asked to run around to different places and do extra duties like cafeteria duty (with NO cleaning, though). So you shouldn't complain about that, as plenty of teachers have to do the same (specialists get pulled all the time to do this and that around the school).

In an elementary school? I taught for 30 years (now subbing) and I never had to cover another class (I had my own) and I never had lunch duty.

Things have changed drastically since Covid. When I first started teaching we rarely had a teacher out without a sub. Now it is a daily occurrence with usually more than one teacher out, paras out (who cannot even get subs anymore).

Because para assistant subs are paid less than teacher subs. Teacher subs are also paid a minimum amount (half day, full day), and para/assistant subs are paid to the exact time. At a lower hourly rate. Of course no one accepts those sub jobs, when there are plenty of other to choose from. I think it's a crap policy that most districts have.