Anonymous
10/26/2025 11:12
Subject: Substitute Teaching
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am a new substitute teacher, and I am little overwhelmed by -
- the different ways each school uses computer to do various things all day including the lesson plans. I am not techy.
- kids unruly behavior in class ( done 2 middle school )
I was hoping to do this full time but am very nervous now.
Any advice ?
Thanks.
You are there to keep the kids from killing each other. Don't stress over curriculum. Watch some educational movies, have some Q&A discussions "ask me anything" and give them things to color or crafts to do if in middle school classroom.
She doesn’t need to do anything of the sort. The teacher leaves sub plans. If plans aren’t left, you tell them to use that time to get caught up on work in their other classes or else they can play games on their laptops or iPads.
Anonymous
10/26/2025 11:09
Subject: Substitute Teaching
Anonymous wrote:Come on, you knew the kids would misbehave. This is nothing new to anyone be it they sub or not. Also, why would you need computer skills? You are subbing, not creating lessons. Just make sure the kids don’t die and even then, it would matter because you are a sub.
Please do not talk about things you don’t have a clue about.
She needs computer skills to logon to the laptop and do attendance.
And teachers often leave their slides in files on the laptop to project onto the smart board. And the smart boards aren’t all the same brand from school to school - or can even vary from class to class within the same building.
Anonymous
10/26/2025 10:54
Subject: Substitute Teaching
Anonymous wrote:I push the button and call the office if a student refuses to listen.
With any grade, you need to have computer skills
Yes, but the programs and processes they need to use vary from school to school, even within tje same district.
Anonymous
10/26/2025 10:52
Subject: Substitute Teaching
The tech stuff and things like how attendance is done is different in all the schools. Definitely get there way early to figure this stuff out before the kids get there.
As far as middle school goes, don’t try to be too strict with them, just try to keep the noise level from getting out of control. Be really friendly with them, especially the ones that you know are likely to be the troublemakers, try to do things like ask them for their opinions about silly pop culture things. It’s truly the only way to survive in that environment.
As far as middle school goes, don’t try to be too strict with them, just try to keep the noise level from getting out of control. Be really friendly with them, especially the ones that you know are likely to be the troublemakers, try to do things like ask them for their opinions about silly pop culture things. It’s truly the only way to survive in that environment.
Anonymous
10/26/2025 10:32
Subject: Substitute Teaching
Are there ever any sub roles in the school library media center? That’s what I want.
And it’s a shame that kids are so poorly behaved these days. Bad comment on parenting. Ick.
And it’s a shame that kids are so poorly behaved these days. Bad comment on parenting. Ick.
Anonymous
10/25/2025 19:52
Subject: Substitute Teaching
Op here
I got a site based offer at an Elementary and accepted it.
I have done ESOL and I like the contents of that.
I also did 2 days of KG and loved it.
On a side note I had the 2 teacher assistants with me in class all day for 2 days in 2 different schools , both working in same classes for years they said.
One did most of the work , the other followed me and had no idea even of where things are kept. I was so surprised.
For now I wont get to try any other schools yet.
I got a site based offer at an Elementary and accepted it.
I have done ESOL and I like the contents of that.
I also did 2 days of KG and loved it.
On a side note I had the 2 teacher assistants with me in class all day for 2 days in 2 different schools , both working in same classes for years they said.
One did most of the work , the other followed me and had no idea even of where things are kept. I was so surprised.
For now I wont get to try any other schools yet.
Anonymous
10/25/2025 14:14
Subject: Substitute Teaching
PP here. With that said, I would try for AP classes or really young kids.
Anonymous
10/25/2025 14:14
Subject: Substitute Teaching
Anonymous wrote:Don’t dismiss PE out of hand. A lot of the “problem” kids love PE because they get to move around and burn off energy. It is usually team taught so there is back up. Try to sub for specials, different group of kids every 30-45 minutes in elementary. Also consider ESOL, because again, different groups throughout day and if the kids are being jerks you only have to deal with them for a short amount of time.
In es for grade levels, I like pre-k (they take a nap every afternoon!), K (IA with you), 2nd (most can read and most of the issues have been I’d and they are getting pulled for help), and 4th (still sweet before the tween attitude sets in).
No way. Elementary specials can get way out of hand with a sub.
I am a retired teacher and I always laugh when people think subbing is easy. It’s easier in class (not counting grading, lesson planning etc) to be an actual teacher because you set the tone, expectations for behavior. Subbing, you’re flying blind with a bunch of strangers and don’t know how each may respond at all. No thanks!
Anonymous
10/25/2025 13:06
Subject: Substitute Teaching
OP- not all kindergarten teachers have assistants like the PP wrote. Just an FYI.
Maybe to ESOL but they don't get subs for us if we are absent.
Maybe to ESOL but they don't get subs for us if we are absent.
Anonymous
10/25/2025 09:45
Subject: Substitute Teaching
Don’t dismiss PE out of hand. A lot of the “problem” kids love PE because they get to move around and burn off energy. It is usually team taught so there is back up. Try to sub for specials, different group of kids every 30-45 minutes in elementary. Also consider ESOL, because again, different groups throughout day and if the kids are being jerks you only have to deal with them for a short amount of time.
In es for grade levels, I like pre-k (they take a nap every afternoon!), K (IA with you), 2nd (most can read and most of the issues have been I’d and they are getting pulled for help), and 4th (still sweet before the tween attitude sets in).
In es for grade levels, I like pre-k (they take a nap every afternoon!), K (IA with you), 2nd (most can read and most of the issues have been I’d and they are getting pulled for help), and 4th (still sweet before the tween attitude sets in).
Anonymous
10/25/2025 00:17
Subject: Substitute Teaching
Op here.
I did 3 days of Kindergarten and its been so much better.
Never going back to MS for sure.
Still need to try HS , thinking about how tall they all are is intimidating.. I am only 5’-1 .. !
I did 3 days of Kindergarten and its been so much better.
Never going back to MS for sure.
Still need to try HS , thinking about how tall they all are is intimidating.. I am only 5’-1 .. !
Anonymous
10/21/2025 03:01
Subject: Re:Substitute Teaching
[quote=Anonymous]Same here. It's been awful (title 1 schools). You're not alone, this was my plan for after college since I have two kids and can't afford childcare on breaks. Now I feel hopeless. I throw up every day when I get home from being overwhelmed. Only 2 weeks in. [/quote]
Op here
Which grades have you subbed for?
MS did not help me!
Op here
Which grades have you subbed for?
MS did not help me!
Anonymous
10/21/2025 00:38
Subject: Re:Substitute Teaching
Same here. It's been awful (title 1 schools). You're not alone, this was my plan for after college since I have two kids and can't afford childcare on breaks. Now I feel hopeless. I throw up every day when I get home from being overwhelmed. Only 2 weeks in.
Anonymous
10/19/2025 21:26
Subject: Substitute Teaching
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Op here
Both my 1st 2 assignments I picked Middle school. Perhaps getting out of there would be helpful.
Will try Elem and HS next.
Why would you pick middle school? That’s on you. Everyone knows those are the hardest kids to manage. If you pick HS, best to stay away from 9th and 10th grades. 11th and 12th grade students are easier. They will most likely ignore you but that’s fine. At least they won’t do crazy stuff
Op here
I really thought Middle School would be easier than HS.
How do you pick the grades in HS though… the jobs just get listed as MS or HS, not by grades.
Do they list the class? That will give you a clue. Don't do PE, it's way to much schlepping equipment in and out of storage rooms. If you can get AP classes the kids will be a bit more mature and studious. Something like Algebra 1 is going to be 9th graders. Etc.
Yes, noticing for HS they do list the class ; World History and Geography etc. Thank you for mentioning what PE is about…was thinking if I should try with that for HS.
Anonymous
10/19/2025 21:08
Subject: Substitute Teaching
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Op here
Both my 1st 2 assignments I picked Middle school. Perhaps getting out of there would be helpful.
Will try Elem and HS next.
Why would you pick middle school? That’s on you. Everyone knows those are the hardest kids to manage. If you pick HS, best to stay away from 9th and 10th grades. 11th and 12th grade students are easier. They will most likely ignore you but that’s fine. At least they won’t do crazy stuff
Op here
I really thought Middle School would be easier than HS.
How do you pick the grades in HS though… the jobs just get listed as MS or HS, not by grades.
Do they list the class? That will give you a clue. Don't do PE, it's way to much schlepping equipment in and out of storage rooms. If you can get AP classes the kids will be a bit more mature and studious. Something like Algebra 1 is going to be 9th graders. Etc.