FCPS can't find substitutes?? I call BS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FCPS principal here. This is a real problem across the entire county. I'm trying to find good long term sub as well and am struggling. You can do all the legwork to get someone, and then they cancel at the last minute. Or you're just not comfortable with the candidates available in their ability to maintain high quality instruction.

not to mention the low pay for a lot of work

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot of turnover among subs. They are treated with so much disrespect by both teachers and students. They are given little or no training and expected to do exactly what the room teacher does. The kids know you are not coming back. They try to get away with as much as they can.

I have taught in both FCPS and LCPS. It seems to be difficult for school systems to find subs who can speak and understand English. I have no idea how many of them get through the sub process. Those of us who know the few excellent subs have them on speed dial/text to arrange for them directly. I absolutely do not trust the office to secure a decent sub for me.

I'm a sub in FCPS and can answer this for you: FCPS does not do face-to-face interviews as a condition of employment as a sub. There's an online questionnaire which requires English proficiency to complete, but FCPS has no way of knowing whether the person who completes it is the same one who is applying for the job. There's also a three question written "quiz" at the end of the (unpaid) orientation. Honestly, a Level I ESL speaker could probably answer these questions and they in no way assess whether someone could comprehend and execute a daily lesson plan. The people at the sub office aren't standing around monitoring the quiz taking, so you could very easily get someone else to complete it if you were so inclined.

Also, for what it's worth, the people who work at the sub office are really rude and not at all helpful to potential hires, including retired teachers. I know several who sub in Loudoun and at local privates because they got so fed up.

OH!!! I could start and fill a thread JUST ABOUT THIS!!! Absolutely the WORST! And I guarantee they do their best to make the people who show up feel as though they are doing YOU a favor rather than the other way around.

I have heard the same from substitutes.

I would like FCPS to institute some type of incentive for saving leave. Teachers used to be able to at least get some service credit for unused leave when they retired, but that stopped for new hires many years ago.

If you ask any of the young teachers why they use their leave each year it is because they know that saving their leave has no benefit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot of turnover among subs. They are treated with so much disrespect by both teachers and students. They are given little or no training and expected to do exactly what the room teacher does. The kids know you are not coming back. They try to get away with as much as they can.

I have taught in both FCPS and LCPS. It seems to be difficult for school systems to find subs who can speak and understand English. I have no idea how many of them get through the sub process. Those of us who know the few excellent subs have them on speed dial/text to arrange for them directly. I absolutely do not trust the office to secure a decent sub for me.

I'm a sub in FCPS and can answer this for you: FCPS does not do face-to-face interviews as a condition of employment as a sub. There's an online questionnaire which requires English proficiency to complete, but FCPS has no way of knowing whether the person who completes it is the same one who is applying for the job. There's also a three question written "quiz" at the end of the (unpaid) orientation. Honestly, a Level I ESL speaker could probably answer these questions and they in no way assess whether someone could comprehend and execute a daily lesson plan. The people at the sub office aren't standing around monitoring the quiz taking, so you could very easily get someone else to complete it if you were so inclined.

Also, for what it's worth, the people who work at the sub office are really rude and not at all helpful to potential hires, including retired teachers. I know several who sub in Loudoun and at local privates because they got so fed up.

OH!!! I could start and fill a thread JUST ABOUT THIS!!! Absolutely the WORST! And I guarantee they do their best to make the people who show up feel as though they are doing YOU a favor rather than the other way around.

I have heard the same from substitutes.

I would like FCPS to institute some type of incentive for saving leave. Teachers used to be able to at least get some service credit for unused leave when they retired, but that stopped for new hires many years ago.

If you ask any of the young teachers why they use their leave each year it is because they know that saving their leave has no benefit.

Most definitely. My DW is in her 12th year teaching. She’s not as young (started in her mid-30s), but she will forfeit any unused leave when she exits FCPS. Why save any more than what it takes to get to short term disability? May as well use the personal days, at minimum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot of turnover among subs. They are treated with so much disrespect by both teachers and students. They are given little or no training and expected to do exactly what the room teacher does. The kids know you are not coming back. They try to get away with as much as they can.

I have taught in both FCPS and LCPS. It seems to be difficult for school systems to find subs who can speak and understand English. I have no idea how many of them get through the sub process. Those of us who know the few excellent subs have them on speed dial/text to arrange for them directly. I absolutely do not trust the office to secure a decent sub for me.

I'm a sub in FCPS and can answer this for you: FCPS does not do face-to-face interviews as a condition of employment as a sub. There's an online questionnaire which requires English proficiency to complete, but FCPS has no way of knowing whether the person who completes it is the same one who is applying for the job. There's also a three question written "quiz" at the end of the (unpaid) orientation. Honestly, a Level I ESL speaker could probably answer these questions and they in no way assess whether someone could comprehend and execute a daily lesson plan. The people at the sub office aren't standing around monitoring the quiz taking, so you could very easily get someone else to complete it if you were so inclined.

Also, for what it's worth, the people who work at the sub office are really rude and not at all helpful to potential hires, including retired teachers. I know several who sub in Loudoun and at local privates because they got so fed up.

OH!!! I could start and fill a thread JUST ABOUT THIS!!! Absolutely the WORST! And I guarantee they do their best to make the people who show up feel as though they are doing YOU a favor rather than the other way around.

I have heard the same from substitutes.

I would like FCPS to institute some type of incentive for saving leave. Teachers used to be able to at least get some service credit for unused leave when they retired, but that stopped for new hires many years ago.

If you ask any of the young teachers why they use their leave each year it is because they know that saving their leave has no benefit.

Yes. Use that leave! It’s a benefit to you! Employees covered for retirement under the ERFC 2001 plan (members hired on or after 7/1/2001)—are ineligible to convert accumulated unused sick leave into retirement service credit. If accumulated unused sick leave is not transferred to another Virginia school division or to the Fairfax County Government, it will be forfeited.

Employees in 12-month positions however will be paid for accumulated annual leave at the rate of pay in effect at the time of termination. That’s very nice...for them.

https://www.fcps.edu/careers/salary-and-benefits/leaving-employment-with-fcps

[Anonymous]

I used to sub for FCPS. At the sub orientation (this was in 2012), it was time for us to bring up our tuberculosis paperwork to be checked.

The woman in front of me, clearly not an English speaker, was sent home because “No, ma’am, your test needs to be NEGATIVE.”

[Anonymous]

Our school seems to use a lot of the newly-retired teachers and parents of kids at the school. We're in APS, though. Maybe your school needs to reach out to the teachers who have recently retired and are drawing a pension, but are still in the area?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our school seems to use a lot of the newly-retired teachers and parents of kids at the school. We're in APS, though. Maybe your school needs to reach out to the teachers who have recently retired and are drawing a pension, but are still in the area?

I'm one of the FCPS subs who posted earlier. FCPS does not pay retired teachers well for subbing jobs. I know several who sub in local private schools or nearby counties instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school seems to use a lot of the newly-retired teachers and parents of kids at the school. We're in APS, though. Maybe your school needs to reach out to the teachers who have recently retired and are drawing a pension, but are still in the area?

I'm one of the FCPS subs who posted earlier. FCPS does not pay retired teachers well for subbing jobs. I know several who sub in local private schools or nearby counties instead.

Beyond the pay issue, most newly retired teachers do not want to sub reguarly...they want to take jobs here and there. FCPS requires subs to work a certain number of days to stay active and able to accept jobs. It is such a dumb system.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, it's mind blowing that people do not understand. You get what you pay for. We pay subs crap, so we have a shortage and not great ones all over the place.

As a parent with three kids each of whom had a year with a long term sub, I've come to accept that when I get notice that a long term sub is on the scene, I will need to spend 30-50 bucks an hours on a tutor or hauling my kid to kumon because otherwise it's a lost year. And that shit adds up, y'all.

It's just another example of society driving the cost of public work (education) to the individual.

[Anonymous]

I'm not being snarky, but I really wish all the people complaining about the sub situation would address their concerns to the School Board and/or regional superintendent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a lot of turnover among subs. They are treated with so much disrespect by both teachers and students. They are given little or no training and expected to do exactly what the room teacher does. The kids know you are not coming back. They try to get away with as much as they can.

I have taught in both FCPS and LCPS. It seems to be difficult for school systems to find subs who can speak and understand English. I have no idea how many of them get through the sub process. Those of us who know the few excellent subs have them on speed dial/text to arrange for them directly. I absolutely do not trust the office to secure a decent sub for me.

I'm a sub in FCPS and can answer this for you: FCPS does not do face-to-face interviews as a condition of employment as a sub. There's an online questionnaire which requires English proficiency to complete, but FCPS has no way of knowing whether the person who completes it is the same one who is applying for the job. There's also a three question written "quiz" at the end of the (unpaid) orientation. Honestly, a Level I ESL speaker could probably answer these questions and they in no way assess whether someone could comprehend and execute a daily lesson plan. The people at the sub office aren't standing around monitoring the quiz taking, so you could very easily get someone else to complete it if you were so inclined.

Also, for what it's worth, the people who work at the sub office are really rude and not at all helpful to potential hires, including retired teachers. I know several who sub in Loudoun and at local privates because they got so fed up.

OH!!! I could start and fill a thread JUST ABOUT THIS!!! Absolutely the WORST! And I guarantee they do their best to make the people who show up feel as though they are doing YOU a favor rather than the other way around.

I have heard the same from substitutes.

I would like FCPS to institute some type of incentive for saving leave. Teachers used to be able to at least get some service credit for unused leave when they retired, but that stopped for new hires many years ago.

If you ask any of the young teachers why they use their leave each year it is because they know that saving their leave has no benefit.

I really should start using more of my leave.

[Anonymous]

I ama former FCPS teacher. I sub because I still enjoy working with the students; clearly not for the $. I long term subbed twice a couple of years ago but when they lowered the pay for retired teachers last year I realized it just was not worth it. I want to do right by the students which usually means putting in at least 9 hour days as a long term sub (same as when I taught) due to planning and correcting/grading student work. However, as a long term sub, I get paid for 7 hours max per day. That means that I am getting paid just over $16 an hour for actual hours worked, before taxes and with no benefits. There is really no reason that anyone who cares about doing a good job for the students would want to be a long term sub.

[Anonymous]

I think some of the people complaining here should sign up to be subs.

[Anonymous]

I would like to understand why FCPS needs so many subs. Can they please stop having training in the middle of the year? Not to mention all the planning that needs other teachers to cover. Garza completely screwed up this county with all the training and planning during the school day. My child's teacher is never there. Every single week some other training. It's ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think some of the people complaining here should sign up to be subs.

[phone]