Substitute bait-and-switch

[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?

\

Maybe we hire what we need-custodians, cafeteria hostess, subs, teachers....but you have to pay them and treat them with respect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Let all of the admin take turns. That's why they get paid the big bucks.

Yup!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This is my take as well. I am a part time school employee and sometimes we have to be super flexible. I love kids, I am there to make their day a little better (that’s how I see my job in general as it is meaningless in itself - testing), so I don’t really care what I do.

LOL is this you replying to yourself. so selfless...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP. You are so right. This is NOT acceptable. Teachers, IAs, subs - they all deserve so much more respect.

So what’s the solution RIGHT NOW. I know everyone needs to get paid more. What happens if a sub refuses to cover and goes home is classes get shifted and split and those kids don’t get what they need even if they’re in the same grade. Or a kid with IEP doesn’t get what they need because the special ed teacher is covering. Or the playground is not as well staffed because a para\IA is covering. What’s the next step?

What you're talking about is very different from having a sub do the cafeteria. I'm a sub and I don't mind doing anything that's in the. job descirption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP. You are so right. This is NOT acceptable. Teachers, IAs, subs - they all deserve so much more respect.

So what’s the solution RIGHT NOW. I know everyone needs to get paid more. What happens if a sub refuses to cover and goes home is classes get shifted and split and those kids don’t get what they need even if they’re in the same grade. Or a kid with IEP doesn’t get what they need because the special ed teacher is covering. Or the playground is not as well staffed because a para\IA is covering. What’s the next step?

I guess we should start respecting these positions more so we can fill them. I guess office stand stops being rude to subs and school staff all day. Maybe just make admin starts jumping in....just a thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Prospective teachers (if there any)- make sure to work in a district with a clear contract and a strong union so you aren’t used like this.

My county has a strong union and I am used like this. We can be asked to do additional duties in emergency situations. The reality is there are not enough substitutes and unfilled paraeducator positions. It’s just going to get worse, and I’m honestly scared that if things don’t change somehow there will be a full blown education crisis.

Amen....we are at the beginning of it. I believe it's getting worse and will continue.

[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).

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.

Never and I've taught in this county for 15 years.

I think that's probably because you are a classroom teacher. At my school, it's the non-classroom-based teachers (special ed, reading specialist or reading focus, staff development, and counselors) who are asked to do these duties. Classroom teachers are asked to do recess if there is no one else, which is rare. What does happen to classroom teachers is if there is no one to cover classes, a class may be split among the other grade level teachers. I am the PP above, am a non-classroom based teacher (special ed) and have had to do lunch duty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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).

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.

Never and I've taught in this county for 15 years.

I think that's probably because you are a classroom teacher. At my school, it's the non-classroom-based teachers (special ed, reading specialist or reading focus, staff development, and counselors) who are asked to do these duties. Classroom teachers are asked to do recess if there is no one else, which is rare. What does happen to classroom teachers is if there is no one to cover classes, a class may be split among the other grade level teachers. I am the PP above, am a non-classroom based teacher (special ed) and have had to do lunch duty.

The OP originally accepted a job covering for a classroom teacher. As you and I and others have admitted, classroom teachers don’t typically cover other classes or the cafeteria. The OP wasn’t expecting to have to do that, which I think is understandable.

I find it interesting that your teachers don’t cover recess. Who is assigned to that duty? DH and I, both ES, have always covered recess, but we like that time outside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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).

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.

Never and I've taught in this county for 15 years.

I think that's probably because you are a classroom teacher. At my school, it's the non-classroom-based teachers (special ed, reading specialist or reading focus, staff development, and counselors) who are asked to do these duties. Classroom teachers are asked to do recess if there is no one else, which is rare. What does happen to classroom teachers is if there is no one to cover classes, a class may be split among the other grade level teachers. I am the PP above, am a non-classroom based teacher (special ed) and have had to do lunch duty.

No I'm sped

[Anonymous]

These breathes entitlement

I guess some people are privileged to have that

[Anonymous]

Dear OP, when you go to a school and they change you to an assignment you don't want to take, say thanks and then walk out. You are in demand and they can either listen or have zero subs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dear OP, when you go to a school and they change you to an assignment you don't want to take, say thanks and then walk out. You are in demand and they can either listen or have zero subs.

+100

Some schools have asked me to stay longer than my listed assignment time. I tell them I can cover the timeframe I signed up for, plus 5 minutes grace. It is not my fault if you need more coverage of the teacher put it in incorrectly. But I cannot stay a whole other period or chunk of time. Some staff say that's fine, others are very clear in expressing their disappointment. I have never left and walked out, but I make a note of which schools treat me with kindness and respect, and which are incredibly rude. I don't blame someone for asking for more time to cover classes, but vocally expressing disappointment when I say "I cannot" is where I draw the line.

There is an abundance of sub jobs every day.

[Anonymous]

They change my assignments a lot, sometimes they will asked you if you still want it.