What are your overall experiences working as a substitute teacher within FCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a sub who has a degree in education and worked in the field, I see it as hit or miss. There are some great schools in FCPS- ES, MS, HS. There are schools that will be so happy to have you. You will feel appreciated. Stay with them. I will say the great ones for subbing are middle and high schools.

Sadly, there are other schools- so many are ES- with that "mean girls" vibe. A lot of the women ES teachers are so snotty. If you sub in a school like that, and it's just one day, focus on the students. You may have to give out busy work, but you can take five minute brain breaks to stretch. Make relationships with them through any small way. Giving praise helps. Avoid the meanie teachers at recess by watching the students engage in play. Sure, you'll have to correct them if they are breaking safety rules, but if everything is good in that arena, make chit chat with kids on the swings. Solely focusing on the students AND NOT the cliquey-clucky group of hens will save your sanity. (Oh, and I've experienced the hens not watching the kids play. They stood in a circle and chatted about

As much as ES kids need subs, if subs aren't supported in a particular building, it's not going to happen for them. So be careful with elementary schools.

This is heartbreaking and I feel for you and the kids who see this behavior as an example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a sub who has a degree in education and worked in the field, I see it as hit or miss. There are some great schools in FCPS- ES, MS, HS. There are schools that will be so happy to have you. You will feel appreciated. Stay with them. I will say the great ones for subbing are middle and high schools.

Sadly, there are other schools- so many are ES- with that "mean girls" vibe. A lot of the women ES teachers are so snotty. If you sub in a school like that, and it's just one day, focus on the students. You may have to give out busy work, but you can take five minute brain breaks to stretch. Make relationships with them through any small way. Giving praise helps. Avoid the meanie teachers at recess by watching the students engage in play. Sure, you'll have to correct them if they are breaking safety rules, but if everything is good in that arena, make chit chat with kids on the swings. Solely focusing on the students AND NOT the cliquey-clucky group of hens will save your sanity. (Oh, and I've experienced the hens not watching the kids play. They stood in a circle and chatted about

As much as ES kids need subs, if subs aren't supported in a particular building, it's not going to happen for them. So be careful with elementary schools.

I feel like this is a sweeping generalization. There are like 148 ES in the county. Most subs only sub at a few schools due to proximity. I have never had the issue you are claiming in ES. Not saying it doesn’t happen, but there are many fabulous and welcoming schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a sub who has a degree in education and worked in the field, I see it as hit or miss. There are some great schools in FCPS- ES, MS, HS. There are schools that will be so happy to have you. You will feel appreciated. Stay with them. I will say the great ones for subbing are middle and high schools.

Sadly, there are other schools- so many are ES- with that "mean girls" vibe. A lot of the women ES teachers are so snotty. If you sub in a school like that, and it's just one day, focus on the students. You may have to give out busy work, but you can take five minute brain breaks to stretch. Make relationships with them through any small way. Giving praise helps. Avoid the meanie teachers at recess by watching the students engage in play. Sure, you'll have to correct them if they are breaking safety rules, but if everything is good in that arena, make chit chat with kids on the swings. Solely focusing on the students AND NOT the cliquey-clucky group of hens will save your sanity. (Oh, and I've experienced the hens not watching the kids play. They stood in a circle and chatted about

As much as ES kids need subs, if subs aren't supported in a particular building, it's not going to happen for them. So be careful with elementary schools.

I feel like this is a sweeping generalization. There are like 148 ES in the county. Most subs only sub at a few schools due to proximity. I have never had the issue you are claiming in ES. Not saying it doesn’t happen, but there are many fabulous and welcoming schools.

+1, I much prefer ES to middle or high.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a sub who has a degree in education and worked in the field, I see it as hit or miss. There are some great schools in FCPS- ES, MS, HS. There are schools that will be so happy to have you. You will feel appreciated. Stay with them. I will say the great ones for subbing are middle and high schools.

Sadly, there are other schools- so many are ES- with that "mean girls" vibe. A lot of the women ES teachers are so snotty. If you sub in a school like that, and it's just one day, focus on the students. You may have to give out busy work, but you can take five minute brain breaks to stretch. Make relationships with them through any small way. Giving praise helps. Avoid the meanie teachers at recess by watching the students engage in play. Sure, you'll have to correct them if they are breaking safety rules, but if everything is good in that arena, make chit chat with kids on the swings. Solely focusing on the students AND NOT the cliquey-clucky group of hens will save your sanity. (Oh, and I've experienced the hens not watching the kids play. They stood in a circle and chatted about

As much as ES kids need subs, if subs aren't supported in a particular building, it's not going to happen for them. So be careful with elementary schools.

How do you even have a second to notice teacher behavior? I'm a full time teacher, but I subbed for a while and had my hands full with students and lessons. It sounds like you expect the teachers to be your friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Off to an impressive start! After filling out myriad on line forms, sending transcripts, and getting references sent, I followed their instructions to call to schedule a sub orientation. A specific phone number was given.
After 40 minutes on hold, I hung up.

This is what happens when a school system stops paying attention to the basics. We've seen this across the board with FCPS in recent years.

We absolutely have to find some new School Board members who are (1) going to focus on basic operations, not the political cause of the hour or their personal pet projects; and (2) ready to buy out Dr. Reid's contract and find someone who does more than spout banal slogans about how "all things are possible" and instead knows how to manage a large school system.

3) teach some good old reading, writing and arithmetic and 4) Pay teachers a decent salary from the gigantic budget and give them the support they need to teach our kids.

+100 to all of the above

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a sub who has a degree in education and worked in the field, I see it as hit or miss. There are some great schools in FCPS- ES, MS, HS. There are schools that will be so happy to have you. You will feel appreciated. Stay with them. I will say the great ones for subbing are middle and high schools.

Sadly, there are other schools- so many are ES- with that "mean girls" vibe. A lot of the women ES teachers are so snotty. If you sub in a school like that, and it's just one day, focus on the students. You may have to give out busy work, but you can take five minute brain breaks to stretch. Make relationships with them through any small way. Giving praise helps. Avoid the meanie teachers at recess by watching the students engage in play. Sure, you'll have to correct them if they are breaking safety rules, but if everything is good in that arena, make chit chat with kids on the swings. Solely focusing on the students AND NOT the cliquey-clucky group of hens will save your sanity. (Oh, and I've experienced the hens not watching the kids play. They stood in a circle and chatted about

As much as ES kids need subs, if subs aren't supported in a particular building, it's not going to happen for them. So be careful with elementary schools.

How do you even have a second to notice teacher behavior? I'm a full time teacher, but I subbed for a while and had my hands full with students and lessons. It sounds like you expect the teachers to be your friend.

DP. Being “friendly” is different from being “friends.” How hard is it to include the sub in the group of teachers chatting during recess? Some teachers do, but for others it’s clear they do NOT want to be bothered. Maybe you’re one of those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a sub who has a degree in education and worked in the field, I see it as hit or miss. There are some great schools in FCPS- ES, MS, HS. There are schools that will be so happy to have you. You will feel appreciated. Stay with them. I will say the great ones for subbing are middle and high schools.

Sadly, there are other schools- so many are ES- with that "mean girls" vibe. A lot of the women ES teachers are so snotty. If you sub in a school like that, and it's just one day, focus on the students. You may have to give out busy work, but you can take five minute brain breaks to stretch. Make relationships with them through any small way. Giving praise helps. Avoid the meanie teachers at recess by watching the students engage in play. Sure, you'll have to correct them if they are breaking safety rules, but if everything is good in that arena, make chit chat with kids on the swings. Solely focusing on the students AND NOT the cliquey-clucky group of hens will save your sanity. (Oh, and I've experienced the hens not watching the kids play. They stood in a circle and chatted about

As much as ES kids need subs, if subs aren't supported in a particular building, it's not going to happen for them. So be careful with elementary schools.

How do you even have a second to notice teacher behavior? I'm a full time teacher, but I subbed for a while and had my hands full with students and lessons. It sounds like you expect the teachers to be your friend.

DP. Being “friendly” is different from being “friends.” How hard is it to include the sub in the group of teachers chatting during recess? Some teachers do, but for others it’s clear they do NOT want to be bothered. Maybe you’re one of those.

There are schools that allow this?

ES Teacher