Too old to effectively sub?

[Anonymous]

I won’t provide any identifying info, but I am deeply concerned over a quite elderly person who seems financially dependent on substitute teaching, but is ineffective at best. This individual was short term subbing, but took on a long term sub job recently. I’ve observed this individual struggling for years, but I’m not in a supervisory position so I can’t do much besides express concern. Everyone with any pull that I speak with just humors me because this individual is beloved, almost canonized (formerly taught there). I gritted my teeth during the short term jobs, but this is a long term medical leave that may be extended. Is there a point when it’s clear someone is simply too old to keep subbing?

[Anonymous]

No, there is no specific age, and do not mention age. That doesn't mean that your concerns aren't warranted, or that the difficulties are not age related, just that age is definitely irrelevant and (I believe) illegal. Focus on your specific concerns about the person's current ability and the affect on children.

[Anonymous]

There are a number of people like that. They look good on paper and they are dinosaurs. Even they know that it is an easy gig.

[Anonymous]

This is age discrimination.

[Anonymous]

Age discrimination is illegal. Tread very carefully, preferably not at all, if you want to avoid a lawsuit.

[Anonymous]

No, there is no such thing as too old to sub.

If you are observing behaviors relevant to the teaching job and performance problems, those should be addressed by the supervisor the same way any performance problems are addressed within the system. If a colleague of any age were exhibiting the same behaviors that concern you now, how would address it (or wouldn't you)? That is what you do.

[Anonymous]

Do you have specific concerns beyond their age?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have specific concerns beyond their age?

Virtually no classroom management skills. A yeller. Wording is gray area offensive.
Can’t hear/understand what is being said.
Confusion in following sub plans so switched from the plan to whatever students can do independently from a textbook
Refusal to use things that are now basic classroom technology like smart board or Chromebook.
Couldn’t keep up with classes when exiting room for fire drill and assembly leaving children unattended.
Doesn’t check email so information is not received or provided back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Age discrimination is illegal. Tread very carefully, preferably not at all, if you want to avoid a lawsuit.

I guess I see why the sub is tolerated. Fear of being sued.

[Anonymous]

My extremely decrepit relative insisted on subbing like this. Some school principals managed to blacklist him based on his performance/inappropriate conduct in class. (He likes to talk about religion a lot.) My guess is that some parents complained loudly to the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a number of people like that. They look good on paper and they are dinosaurs. Even they know that it is an easy gig.

Short term is an easy gig and won’t hurt students too much. Six to eight weeks is not easy and will hurt students.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

We had a yeller at the school. Parents need to complain loudly and also bring it up at PTSA meetings. She is still in the system but blacklisted from our school.

[Anonymous]

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!

[Anonymous]

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.