Reply to Make it easier to become a substitute teacher

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm a sub and constantly see sub vacancies for Special Ed positions.  In fact, that's mostly what's advertised.  I never accept those jobs because I haven't been trained in Special Ed, and I imagine many subs feel similarly.  So who is filling in for these teachers?[/quote]

Same. There is rarely more information than "sub plans are on the desk," so I don't know what I would be walking into. I have subbed for content-area Learning Disabilities teachers (team taught or self-contained) and enjoy it (they contact me because I sub in their content area and can teach), but SPED is such a wide range that I have absolutely no idea what the day would look like. [/quote]

+2
I definitely don't want to walk into a situation I'm not prepared for.  [/quote]

+3
I was just perusing the sub openings and have to say - I'm very unlikely to accept a job that doesn't have the instructions/description right there in the opening notice.  Or text instructions like this:  "Please see lesson plans for detailed instruction and information on class."  Why not put all the detailed instructions and information right there on the website?  I don't want to walk into a classroom and scramble to read instructions, get set up, right before the kids arrive.  Give subs the chance to check out your instructions ahead of time!  Inevitably, there is an issue with the computer, connecting, etc.  Last minute scrambling in an unfamiliar class is the worst.[/quote]

Because the sub plan is written the day before. I don’t have it all planned when I requested the day off 2-3 weeks prior.[/quote]

I see this issue all the time for Special Ed needs.  A content area teacher I have less concern - it's a little more straightforward.  Knowing a special ed [b]teacher's parking space is great[/b], but is it a small class of students that just need 1:1 help but no disruptive students?  Or is there an actual physical danger that I may be walking into?  I know that because of IEP and FERPA what can be written down and publicly communicated is minimal, but if there is a more than remote chance of physical danger (knowing 2 people who suffered concussions while teaching), I'm not going to take the risk for $130 (before FICA and taxes).

[/quote]

I’ve never really thought about adding details to a job listing. I could put my grade level in if that helps. I guess I just assumed it showed.

That’s interesting. Where do they have assigned spaces? Just curious.[/quote]

DP.  Please add as much detail as possible - grade level, number of kids, a basic outline of what the day will look like - and, as the PP said, please note if there are any particularly difficult students.  I have walked into some nightmare situations before and would have really appreciated a heads-up from the teacher beforehand.

One very helpful teacher posted the whole schedule for me, including all kinds of details.  I was able to peruse it the night before and really prepare myself.  It made the next day run so much more smoothly than other assignments, where I've received no information at all.[/quote]

Except, when you put all these details into the job listing, nobody will pick it up. Who wants to deal with difficult kids.[/quote]

Yep, this.  I have a small early primary class of 18 kids.  But, 5 have major behaviors.  3 are on specific behavior plans.  The social worker is in my room every day.  I have tons of support because without it, physical safety would be a concern.  I'm worried any day I have to be out because who knows what will happen.  If I'm out, I leave a set of general plans and specific plans.  The general plans have things like "how to work the smart board" "where certain things are" along with the names and issues of the 5 kids, what the sub has to do to implement the behavior plan and who/how to call in case of an emergency.  I also explain where the evacuation bag is so the sub has something to work with should she find herself in the hall or a different classroom for 60-180 minutes until one of my 5 calms down enough that we can all return to the classroom.  No one is going to take that job if they know all this ahead of time.  And yes, I deserve a bonus for not quitting this year.[/quote]

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