paigepea
Drama Llama
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Posts: 5,609
Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Sept 6, 2015 20:16:02 GMT
In any major city I've subbed in I've needed at least a B.Ed. In all private schools I've been in an Education degree was required. Some charter schools I've been in haven't required a BEd. Mostly, certified teachers get paid more so some school districts like non-teachers because they aren't paid as well - or that is the difference around here. I can imagine that in some rural areas in might be hard to find enough subs so perhaps their rules are different.
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Post by littlefish on Sept 6, 2015 20:33:34 GMT
When I lived in WA, the pay wasn't horrible ($115-ish a day, and this was 15 years ago), but you had to have your teaching certificate.
Here in FL, I want to say it's under $100 a day, and you only need a high school diploma, an online course, and a background check.
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Post by honeyb on Sept 6, 2015 20:59:58 GMT
I am an Elementary Substitute in Washington State. I am a certified teacher, and as such, have to take college credits/clock hours every year to keep up my certification (15 credits every 5 years for my certificate)
Up until January 2015 my district ONLY had certificated teachers as subs. In January, the teacher shortage- which is also a sub shortage was just too much. Our district now accepts subs with a BA. However, those subs are not allowed to be any a position more than 5 consecutive days (aka- no long term positions)
I make a lot more than a lot of people in this thread do and feel it is really decent money for what I am doing. I make $160/day and only work at 3 schools- the furthest school is 2.5 miles away.
I am starting my 4th year of subbing (I taught for 7 years, then took 12 off to raise my kids) and work pretty much pre arranged. I really enjoy my job and really don't want to do anything else.
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Post by Meri-Lyn on Sept 6, 2015 21:07:51 GMT
They just did a story on substitute shortages here in our district. I gotta tell you, if you think teacher pay is ridiculous, wait until you see this. It's barely above minimum wage. I don't know who would want to work for that pay, with so many headaches. I guess you really, really want to be a teacher and/or you really, really love kids. Pay Scale: AA Degree - $8.42 per hour BA Degree+ - $9.43. After 20 consecutive days these subs receive a retroactive pay increase of 50 cents per hour Certified Sub - $11.25. After 20 consecutive days these subs receive a retroactive pay increase of 50 cents per hour and if working in a Title 1 school they will receive a $1 per hour increase substitutes
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Post by ntsf on Sept 6, 2015 21:23:44 GMT
I subbed at a high school for 7 yrs. had to have bachelors, background check and no training. I had lots of experience managing large groups of kids..but it could be very tough. esp teachers who did not leave enough work or would have me show videos three days in a row. and I did comment on class curriculum..but I also left a lot of notes for the teacher and left big decisions to them. it was $125/day I got tired of it and work as a nanny and make more per hour and enjoy it more.
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Post by Bitchy Rich on Sept 6, 2015 21:33:36 GMT
I subbed for several months right after we moved and I just needed a job. It was easy money. Our county uses a phone system, so I could just call in and hear the specific openings. I found that gym/art/computer teacher was the easiest. Also, high school is super easy because the kids KNOW to just shut up and lay low and they have an easy day.
Honestly, I don't think barely any teachers expect that you are going to be teaching the kids that day. They leave busy work for subs and expect to pick back up when they get back.
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Post by freecharlie on Sept 6, 2015 22:07:21 GMT
I figured it wouldn't be easy, and frankly, it isn't something I am terribly interested in doing. It just that I am having trouble finding work and my family is tired of hearing me moan about it and are pushing me in this direction because in as much as I don't want to do it, I have been told by everyone (including the teachers who used to leave me in charge when I was room mom) that I *should* be teaching. Not sure where that comes from really. Anyway, I wanted to ask this...what if you KNOW the material? Like, for example, I have a history degree and would have a really hard time NOT answering questions about social studies or history. Some subject areas I know a lot about and you wouldn't have to unteach anything-you still wouldn't want me to answer questions? Now math? Don't put me in a math class. I couldn't help beyond 'write your name on the paper." Honestly? No, I would not want you to answer questions. The questions you should answer would be about directions for the assignment. Students aren't going to ask you questions about content because they assume you don't know the content. Don't offer up any information. The problem is, I don't *know you know the content. I know you have a degree, but that doesn't mean you know the content. I've learned so much more about my content once I started teaching it. And I have an advanced degree in the subject! But I would have sworn that I knew my stuff before I ever became a teacher. Another problem is that you don't know where to stop with the information you provide. You might share info that I want my students to figure out on their own during next week's lab or homework assignment. You might ruin my "light bulb moment" by experiencing it yourself. You don't know what the state curriculum says I have to teach and you might end up confusing my students. There are some things I have to teach incorrectly because I'm in the baby steps of information and we build on the knowledge slowly. I teach the Bohr model even though I know it isn't the most accurate representation of what actually exists in atoms. Now, I qualify my teachings with "you'll see how this isn't 100% correct later but we'll use this as a starting point." But if you came in and said "Oh my, your teacher is teaching you about the Bohr model? Oh dear, there's so many things wrong with that. Let me tell you what really happens..." you'll have confused my students, taken up time that I don't have to waste and made me look like an idiot.
I once decided that I would "help" some students in third grade that were struggling with reading a clock. I went off-script to teach them myself. I messed up the teacher's plans. I confused students that were doing just fine but overheard me, I jumped ahead by two day's time and I frustrated the ones that were already lost. I didn't know her students, I didn't know the curriculum but I know how to read a clock! I thought I'd be just fine. I'd be A TEACHER. No, I was a jerk that caused problems.
I think this a teacher teacher thing. Many of the teachers I know would not have a problem with you answering a question and often will leave plans that will teach or reteach concepts. Not everybody has a day to lose because they aren't there. Some districts make you stick to a schedule, or teachers want the classes close to the same page. Find what you like to do. If a class that expects you t9 be a babysitter is your thing, you'll find those classea. If you want to be more than a babysitter, you'll find those classes too.
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Post by freecharlie on Sept 6, 2015 22:15:39 GMT
They just did a story on substitute shortages here in our district. I gotta tell you, if you think teacher pay is ridiculous, wait until you see this. It's barely above minimum wage. I don't know who would want to work for that pay, with so many headaches. I guess you really, really want to be a teacher and/or you really, really love kids. Pay Scale: AA Degree - $8.42 per hour BA Degree+ - $9.43. After 20 consecutive days these subs receive a retroactive pay increase of 50 cents per hour Certified Sub - $11.25. After 20 consecutive days these subs receive a retroactive pay increase of 50 cents per hour and if working in a Title 1 school they will receive a $1 per hour increase substitutesholy cow, but I guess most of them around here make about 10 an hour
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~Lauren~
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,876
Jun 26, 2014 3:33:18 GMT
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Post by ~Lauren~ on Sept 6, 2015 22:22:30 GMT
Sorry Jennifer but you sound like the teacher from hell...nobody but you can possibly offer your students anything. If all you want is a babysitter, then as a parent and a taxpayer I'd be pissed off any time you were not in the classroom. Your day off is basically a waste of time for everyone involved and a waste of money for the school district.
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Post by kels99 on Sept 6, 2015 22:25:22 GMT
I am an Elementary Substitute in Washington State. I am a certified teacher, and as such, have to take college credits/clock hours every year to keep up my certification (15 credits every 5 years for my certificate) Up until January 2015 my district ONLY had certificated teachers as subs. In January, the teacher shortage- which is also a sub shortage was just too much. Our district now accepts subs with a BA. However, those subs are not allowed to be any a position more than 5 consecutive days (aka- no long term positions) I make a lot more than a lot of people in this thread do and feel it is really decent money for what I am doing. I make $160/day and only work at 3 schools- the furthest school is 2.5 miles away. I am starting my 4th year of subbing (I taught for 7 years, then took 12 off to raise my kids) and work pretty much pre arranged. I really enjoy my job and really don't want to do anything else. We have very similar stories. Substitute in WA State, taught for 6 years then took off about 12 years to raise my kids and pretty much work pre arranged jobs only. My district also recently allowed 'emergency subs' to be hired. They need to have a BA and I don't know how many days in a row they can work in one position. I make less than you, though. Around $135 a day.
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Post by anonrefugee on Sept 6, 2015 22:39:00 GMT
Our district only uses substitutes with education degrees and teaching experience.
During the recession there was a glut of professionals turned substitutes and quality suffered. while I like having my children taught by former professionals in their field of study -- I think it's great subs have teaching experience. They need to come in ready to run a classroom and control the masses.
Our area, numerous towns, has a special certification program meeting state requirements. Neighboring districts are more lenient about subs so they use it.
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AnotherPea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,969
Jan 4, 2015 1:47:52 GMT
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Post by AnotherPea on Sept 6, 2015 22:57:44 GMT
Sorry Jennifer but you sound like the teacher from hell...nobody but you can possibly offer your students anything. If all you want is a babysitter, then as a parent and a taxpayer I'd be pissed off any time you were not in the classroom. Your day off is basically a waste of time for everyone involved and a waste of money for the school district. Really? You'd want your high school student to be taught by someone that didn't have the qualifications to teach? Someone that thought they knew what they were talking about but didn't really? Didn't know about the curriculum?
Do you have a high school student at home? Do you know what happens when there are subs? I spend HOURS preparing for any time I'm out so it isn't a wasted day. What a fucking bitch you are to say that about me when you don't have a fucking clue what extremes I go to for my students on the few days that I have to be out.
Today I've been tied to the computer for five freaking hours trying to develop a meaningful assignment that my students will do while I'm out later this month. In over two weeks when I have to have a procedure done. That's my primary concern right now, not the tests, probing, everything. Those kids and whether or not they'll actually be learning while I'm gone. I could instead hand the sub a DVD and show it.
But you'd be pissed as a taxpayer at what I do.
Fuck you Lauren.
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perumbula
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,439
Location: Idaho
Jun 26, 2014 18:51:17 GMT
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Post by perumbula on Sept 6, 2015 23:15:46 GMT
I have been subbing for five years. I make a lame $60/day, which is barely minimum wage. if I was certified I could go across the river and work for twice as much in OR (they require full certification for their subs and consequently their rural districts are always desperate for subs.) In my state it's up to the individual districts. Most set the requirements where they need them to be to get the numbers they need for subs. ours asks only for a HS diploma and a background check. I have a BA in English.
It's not easy money. It depends on who you are teaching that day and what kind of mood they are in and what lesson plans you are left. I've had great days and I've had days where I went home crying. Most of my sub jobs are in the middle school. This year I have told the secretary I will no longer be accepting jobs for one of the grades. Those kids were the worst last year and I refuse to deal with them again. That's the nice thing about subbing. If I were teaching full time, I would not be able to make that choice; I would get the job I was assigned and have to make the best of it.
BTW, don't be afraid to answer questions. There's no need to start a mini lecture on the topic, but if the kid has question on the assignment, answer it. If they are working from a book, I give some direction to help them find the answer (mostly it involves teaching them what headings and subheadings are for in a chapter and how to scan for key words.) In a math class I will teach kids how to do a problem. No one has ever complained about my teaching the student something they didn't know. I keep my answers to enough to answer the question at hand and I don't try to add in material beyond the current assignment. I have never been afraid of "messing up future lesson plans." You do what you need to do to help the kids do the day's assignment. If you can't answer their questions, they can't do that.
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,091
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Sept 6, 2015 23:25:38 GMT
Sorry Jennifer but you sound like the teacher from hell...nobody but you can possibly offer your students anything. If all you want is a babysitter, then as a parent and a taxpayer I'd be pissed off any time you were not in the classroom. Your day off is basically a waste of time for everyone involved and a waste of money for the school district. Really? You'd want your high school student to be taught by someone that didn't have the qualifications to teach? Someone that thought they knew what they were talking about but didn't really? Didn't know about the curriculum?
Do you have a high school student at home? Do you know what happens when there are subs? I spend HOURS preparing for any time I'm out so it isn't a wasted day. What a fucking bitch you are to say that about me when you don't have a fucking clue what extremes I go to for my students on the few days that I have to be out.
Today I've been tied to the computer for five freaking hours trying to develop a meaningful assignment that my students will do while I'm out later this month. In over two weeks when I have to have a procedure done. That's my primary concern right now, not the tests, probing, everything. Those kids and whether or not they'll actually be learning while I'm gone. I could instead hand the sub a DVD and show it.
But you'd be pissed as a taxpayer at what I do.
Fuck you Lauren.
I get it, Jennifer. It really is very difficult to leave good plans for a sub. It is easier to come to school with a 102 fever and tanked up on ibuprofen and over the counter remedies than to leave classes to subs. For planned absences, like meetings, I always leave my preferred plans for maintaining continuity, but I also have to leave back up plans in case a sub is not comfortable teaching the very detailed and planned out "ideal" plan. And if I know in advance of an absence, I adjust my order/calendar to make sure what hits on that day can be likely managed by a sub. Not easy and people have no idea if you do it, but they would know it if you did not. I think you do this, too. I appreciate your dedication! And no matter what, I am cleaning up some kind of mess. It really is difficult for a sub to walk in and do that job. I try to make it easy for them, but I also agree that it is better and easier for me to just be there. And I have subbed internally. I have seen the gamut from none to ok sub plans, and I have had to make judgment calls an outside sub could not make.
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cougarjo
Junior Member
Posts: 87
Jul 12, 2015 15:49:42 GMT
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Post by cougarjo on Sept 6, 2015 23:41:19 GMT
Here in the UK you have to be a qualified teacher to be a substitute (supply) teacher. Rates are the equivalent of about $200 a day. You may be required to plan, teach, and then mark the work.
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Post by SabrinaM on Sept 7, 2015 0:08:52 GMT
Most of my sub jobs are planned ahead where a teacher requests me. Most teachers trust that I am familiar enough with the curriculum that I can actually teach, not babysit. In NC, our CC map literally had a script for teachers to follow if they so chose.
The other day I was subbing in a 4th grade classroom. Unsure of the particular subtraction method Mrs. B was teaching, I looked to a student I knew was up to speed, asked them to show me Mrs. B's method and I reviewed it with the class. It's 4th grade. No big deal.
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Post by hop2 on Sept 7, 2015 0:26:40 GMT
Requirements to be a sub hete:
Over 18 Breathing Clear background check
Pretty much in that order
That DOESNT mean you'll be hired though or and definitely won't work steady ( unless you happen to some how be a natural teacher without credentials )! Here there are plenty of actually qualified teachers who are home with their kids who sub from time to time and a handful of retirees teachers as well. You may get 'on the list' but teachers have some say in who they get some of the time so they usually try for actual teachers. They might get a call if it's a day when a lot of subs are needed.
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~Lauren~
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,876
Jun 26, 2014 3:33:18 GMT
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Post by ~Lauren~ on Sept 7, 2015 0:36:17 GMT
I stand by what I said, Jennifer. I have no doubt that you are a good teacher or that you work hard. However, I have dealt with more than one teacher like you and despite what you think, your attitude towards subs is not good. If the only response to what I've said is "Fuck you, Lauren", then I can only believe that I've struck a nerve.
Have a good night and hopefully you will not have to burden anyone this year with your days off.
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Post by keknj on Sept 7, 2015 0:38:27 GMT
I live in Central Jersey, our district requires 60 hours of college and a background check to get a sub certificate. A nearby community college used to offer a 6 week course that you had to take (they took care of the background check), but they stopped several years ago. They pay $80/day.
I have my sub certificate, but you have to go through an outside agency. I could never get them to call me back (despite hearing how much subs are needed), so I am currently a lunch aide. When my DD doesn't need me to be home anymore I will pursue it more.
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Post by Linda on Sept 7, 2015 0:44:21 GMT
High school diploma(or equivalent) is the minimum requirement here.
"All substitute teachers must have at least a high school diploma (or equivalent). If you have no classroom teaching experience, the school district must provide you with training on classroom management skills and instructional strategies prior to allowing you to work in the classroom. You must also be trained in the school district’s school safety policies and procedures, ethics, professional responsibilities and liability laws. "
Our county switched from directly hiring subs to contracting with Kelly Educational Staffing last year
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Post by darkchami on Sept 7, 2015 0:52:42 GMT
When I lived in WA, the pay wasn't horrible ($115-ish a day, and this was 15 years ago), but you had to have your teaching certificate. Here in FL, I want to say it's under $100 a day, and you only need a high school diploma, an online course, and a background check. It's $10-$15 more than that now. Fifteen years hasn't made much of a difference.
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Post by honeyb on Sept 7, 2015 1:27:35 GMT
When I lived in WA, the pay wasn't horrible ($115-ish a day, and this was 15 years ago), but you had to have your teaching certificate. Here in FL, I want to say it's under $100 a day, and you only need a high school diploma, an online course, and a background check. It's $10-$15 more than that now. Fifteen years hasn't made much of a difference. This may depend on what part of WA you are talking about (Eastern vs. Western? Seattle area vs. any other area?). When I first started subbing in 1994, the pay was $108/day. Today I make $160/day. I live in Western WA, right outside Seattle, perhaps that makes a difference?
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Post by anxiousmom on Sept 7, 2015 1:45:20 GMT
I figured it wouldn't be easy, and frankly, it isn't something I am terribly interested in doing. It just that I am having trouble finding work and my family is tired of hearing me moan about it and are pushing me in this direction because in as much as I don't want to do it, I have been told by everyone (including the teachers who used to leave me in charge when I was room mom) that I *should* be teaching. Not sure where that comes from really. Anyway, I wanted to ask this...what if you KNOW the material? Like, for example, I have a history degree and would have a really hard time NOT answering questions about social studies or history. Some subject areas I know a lot about and you wouldn't have to unteach anything-you still wouldn't want me to answer questions? Now math? Don't put me in a math class. I couldn't help beyond 'write your name on the paper." Honestly? No, I would not want you to answer questions. The questions you should answer would be about directions for the assignment. Students aren't going to ask you questions about content because they assume you don't know the content. Don't offer up any information. The problem is, I don't *know you know the content. I know you have a degree, but that doesn't mean you know the content. I've learned so much more about my content once I started teaching it. And I have an advanced degree in the subject! But I would have sworn that I knew my stuff before I ever became a teacher. Another problem is that you don't know where to stop with the information you provide. You might share info that I want my students to figure out on their own during next week's lab or homework assignment. You might ruin my "light bulb moment" by experiencing it yourself. You don't know what the state curriculum says I have to teach and you might end up confusing my students. There are some things I have to teach incorrectly because I'm in the baby steps of information and we build on the knowledge slowly. I teach the Bohr model even though I know it isn't the most accurate representation of what actually exists in atoms. Now, I qualify my teachings with "you'll see how this isn't 100% correct later but we'll use this as a starting point." But if you came in and said "Oh my, your teacher is teaching you about the Bohr model? Oh dear, there's so many things wrong with that. Let me tell you what really happens..." you'll have confused my students, taken up time that I don't have to waste and made me look like an idiot.
I once decided that I would "help" some students in third grade that were struggling with reading a clock. I went off-script to teach them myself. I messed up the teacher's plans. I confused students that were doing just fine but overheard me, I jumped ahead by two day's time and I frustrated the ones that were already lost. I didn't know her students, I didn't know the curriculum but I know how to read a clock! I thought I'd be just fine. I'd be A TEACHER. No, I was a jerk that caused problems.
I'm sorry. This kind of makes me sad and makes me not want to substitute at all. I get that there are long range plans, but to me, this almost makes it sound like you don't want any one to interact with the kids at all except you. I gotta tell you, in this? If someone was wondering why there is a dearth of good subs, I suspect it is because they are hearing and reading things like this. I understand that there are a lot of things I don't know. My gosh, the world is more full of what I don't know than what I do. At the same time, if a question was asked, would you expect the person in front of the classroom to not answer? Not acknowledge?
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Post by darkchami on Sept 7, 2015 1:51:52 GMT
It's $10-$15 more than that now. Fifteen years hasn't made much of a difference. This may depend on what part of WA you are talking about (Eastern vs. Western? Seattle area vs. any other area?). When I first started subbing in 1994, the pay was $108/day. Today I make $160/day. I live in Western WA, right outside Seattle, perhaps that makes a difference? Well that may explain our severe sub shortage. I am also right outside of Seattle. I knew we were a little less than surrounding districts, but that is quite a gap.
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Post by honeyb on Sept 7, 2015 1:58:31 GMT
This may depend on what part of WA you are talking about (Eastern vs. Western? Seattle area vs. any other area?). When I first started subbing in 1994, the pay was $108/day. Today I make $160/day. I live in Western WA, right outside Seattle, perhaps that makes a difference? Well that may explain our severe sub shortage. I am also right outside of Seattle. I knew we were a little less than surrounding districts, but that is quite a gap. I just looked at the surrounding districts to me and you are right, they are $30 less than I make. I am amazed, I just assumed they all paid about the same. I just checked our district website and it appears that we got a raise. We will make $150 for the first 20 days (non consecutive) and $170 for days beyond that. I sub in the district my kids go to, guess I just got lucky that they pay the best in the area.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 5, 2024 9:22:07 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2015 2:38:13 GMT
They've changed the requirements since I subbed way back when. Not sure if they upped the ante or lowered it, lol. You only have to have a HS education or... an equivalent. @@ Training consists of an 8 hour session that is offered four times a year. An hour is spent introducing you to the key players in the system, HR director, super, his secretaries, sub coordinator. An hour is spent eating (lunch and breakfast, not provided but you are expected to eat with everyone). An hour is spent on safety issues, one on confidentiality. One is spent on HR paperwork, one is PR crap about how awesome the system is and gives an overview of the different schools in the district. You get some time learning tricks that can translate to all classes, the district's philosophy on discipline and dress code expectations for staff. I think it is a good thing to do if you want part-time work while your kids are at school. Ideally you work at their school. It is a good idea if you want to teach eventually. Gives you an idea of what goes on behind the scenes and gets your foot in the door. If you do it, keep a couple of things in mind: First, you are not the teacher. You are a sub. Follow the teacher's plans. Don't add or subtract from them. If you know something awesome about the day's topic that you just know will get the kids excited, keep it to yourself. You have no idea whether or not the teacher is planning a way to introduce that information later. Your desire for a "light bulb moment" doesn't trump the teacher's plans. If you run out of time to do everything, that's fine. Leave a note for the teacher, explaining why. I ALWAYS over plan so my subs aren't left with nothing to do. Because we all know that idleness is the Devil's playground! Second, stay out of cabinets and drawers. Don't offer up supplies for a really neat project you just thought of. Chances are the teacher spent her own money on those supplies and has no desire to replenish what you used. I was guilty of that when I subbed and didn't realize how frustrating it could be until I knew where those supplies came from. Which leads to the next point - don't assume that you know what is going on behind the scenes just from subbing. You have a much better idea than the average Joe, but you've just got a glimpse. I agree with everything here, especially the bolded. I've mentioned here a couple of times that I teach elementary art. Idk what it is about my classroom, but subs come in and the creative juices just start to flow. People want to just ignore my plans, create their own projects and use ALL of the supplies. I get a very small budget each year that is determined per child. I can't afford for someone to come in and just use all of the watercolor paper because they saw a Monet exhibit that one time and they know that they can teach the kids something new and exciting. Aside from the fact that the project may not be developmentally appropriate, I only see each child once a week. If I left a lesson, it's imperative that it's taught. I won't see that kid again for at least a week and that's only if there isn't a field trip, assembly, or absence to interrupt our regular schedule. Recently i found a FANTASTIC sub. I never worry about my classroom with her, she's worth her weight in gold, the kids love her too! As far as the OP. In my district it's much the same as what's stated above. An 8 hour orientation with a few videos. High school diploma or equivalent makes $70 a day and if you have a 4-year degree you make $90 a day. They used to pay $100 if you had a valid teaching certificate, but they stopped doing that a few years ago. Subbing really is a roulette. The only people that I recommend it to are newly certified teachers looking to get their foot in the door or college students because of the extremely flexible schedule. It's one of the only jobs that you don't have to call in if you decide not to show up that day. It's how I got through college. ETA: It is NOT easy money.
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AnotherPea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,969
Jan 4, 2015 1:47:52 GMT
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Post by AnotherPea on Sept 7, 2015 3:37:10 GMT
Honestly? No, I would not want you to answer questions. The questions you should answer would be about directions for the assignment. Students aren't going to ask you questions about content because they assume you don't know the content. Don't offer up any information. The problem is, I don't *know you know the content. I know you have a degree, but that doesn't mean you know the content. I've learned so much more about my content once I started teaching it. And I have an advanced degree in the subject! But I would have sworn that I knew my stuff before I ever became a teacher. Another problem is that you don't know where to stop with the information you provide. You might share info that I want my students to figure out on their own during next week's lab or homework assignment. You might ruin my "light bulb moment" by experiencing it yourself. You don't know what the state curriculum says I have to teach and you might end up confusing my students. There are some things I have to teach incorrectly because I'm in the baby steps of information and we build on the knowledge slowly. I teach the Bohr model even though I know it isn't the most accurate representation of what actually exists in atoms. Now, I qualify my teachings with "you'll see how this isn't 100% correct later but we'll use this as a starting point." But if you came in and said "Oh my, your teacher is teaching you about the Bohr model? Oh dear, there's so many things wrong with that. Let me tell you what really happens..." you'll have confused my students, taken up time that I don't have to waste and made me look like an idiot.
I once decided that I would "help" some students in third grade that were struggling with reading a clock. I went off-script to teach them myself. I messed up the teacher's plans. I confused students that were doing just fine but overheard me, I jumped ahead by two day's time and I frustrated the ones that were already lost. I didn't know her students, I didn't know the curriculum but I know how to read a clock! I thought I'd be just fine. I'd be A TEACHER. No, I was a jerk that caused problems.
I'm sorry. This kind of makes me sad and makes me not want to substitute at all. I get that there are long range plans, but to me, this almost makes it sound like you don't want any one to interact with the kids at all except you. I gotta tell you, in this? If someone was wondering why there is a dearth of good subs, I suspect it is because they are hearing and reading things like this. I understand that there are a lot of things I don't know. My gosh, the world is more full of what I don't know than what I do. At the same time, if a question was asked, would you expect the person in front of the classroom to not answer? Not acknowledge? I really doubt it would ever happen. Kids might ask where to find something in the provided resource but they aren't likely to ask you directly about the subject matter. I' absolutely want you to interact with my students. But I don't want you teaching them my material. I don't want to risk it. Guide them through the work I've provided. Encourage them if they get stuck. Keep them on task and monitor behavior. I'm sorry that saddens you but I promise, if you want to have a class of your own someday, the classroom management part of subbing will be beneficial in its own right. Subs love me, BTW. I leave clear plans, a neat room, a binder of instructions to cover almost anything (with tabbed dividers, lol) and generally have well behaved students. I subbed for YEARS before actually teaching so I can appreciate the difficulties they face.
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Post by monklady123 on Sept 7, 2015 9:40:09 GMT
Honestly? No, I would not want you to answer questions. The questions you should answer would be about directions for the assignment. Students aren't going to ask you questions about content because they assume you don't know the content. Don't offer up any information. The problem is, I don't *know you know the content. I know you have a degree, but that doesn't mean you know the content. I've learned so much more about my content once I started teaching it. And I have an advanced degree in the subject! But I would have sworn that I knew my stuff before I ever became a teacher. Another problem is that you don't know where to stop with the information you provide. You might share info that I want my students to figure out on their own during next week's lab or homework assignment. You might ruin my "light bulb moment" by experiencing it yourself. You don't know what the state curriculum says I have to teach and you might end up confusing my students. There are some things I have to teach incorrectly because I'm in the baby steps of information and we build on the knowledge slowly. I teach the Bohr model even though I know it isn't the most accurate representation of what actually exists in atoms. Now, I qualify my teachings with "you'll see how this isn't 100% correct later but we'll use this as a starting point." But if you came in and said "Oh my, your teacher is teaching you about the Bohr model? Oh dear, there's so many things wrong with that. Let me tell you what really happens..." you'll have confused my students, taken up time that I don't have to waste and made me look like an idiot.
I once decided that I would "help" some students in third grade that were struggling with reading a clock. I went off-script to teach them myself. I messed up the teacher's plans. I confused students that were doing just fine but overheard me, I jumped ahead by two day's time and I frustrated the ones that were already lost. I didn't know her students, I didn't know the curriculum but I know how to read a clock! I thought I'd be just fine. I'd be A TEACHER. No, I was a jerk that caused problems.
I'm sorry. This kind of makes me sad and makes me not want to substitute at all. I get that there are long range plans, but to me, this almost makes it sound like you don't want any one to interact with the kids at all except you. I gotta tell you, in this? If someone was wondering why there is a dearth of good subs, I suspect it is because they are hearing and reading things like this. I understand that there are a lot of things I don't know. My gosh, the world is more full of what I don't know than what I do. At the same time, if a question was asked, would you expect the person in front of the classroom to not answer? Not acknowledge? I think maybe it depends on the grade you're subbing for? I do elementary and of course I do a lot of teaching! omg, I can't just say "here's what Mrs. So-and-So wants you to do, have at it." hahaha
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Post by corinne11 on Sept 7, 2015 11:37:48 GMT
Here in the UK you have to be a qualified teacher to be a substitute (supply) teacher. Rates are the equivalent of about $200 a day. You may be required to plan, teach, and then mark the work. Same here in Australia. 4 year degree, about $300 AUD ($200 USD approx.) per day While teachers are expected to leave a program for planned absences, sometimes due to sickness or family emergencies we aren't able to send anything through to the school so TRT's (temporary relief teachers) are expected to bring their own stuff as backup.
I teach science and change my lesson for a relief teacher - usually swapping out an experiment for a hands on activity/book activity. Even with a detailed program I don't expect them to know EXACTLY what I want done or what I have done previously. I'd rather leave a "sideways lesson" that is still science based and usually is a recap of previously taught work. My aim is for the students to be settled and for them AND the teacher to have a successful day.
Corinne
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Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,709
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
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Post by Dani-Mani on Sept 7, 2015 12:13:59 GMT
They just did a story on substitute shortages here in our district. I gotta tell you, if you think teacher pay is ridiculous, wait until you see this. It's barely above minimum wage. I don't know who would want to work for that pay, with so many headaches. I guess you really, really want to be a teacher and/or you really, really love kids. Pay Scale: AA Degree - $8.42 per hour BA Degree+ - $9.43. After 20 consecutive days these subs receive a retroactive pay increase of 50 cents per hour Certified Sub - $11.25. After 20 consecutive days these subs receive a retroactive pay increase of 50 cents per hour and if working in a Title 1 school they will receive a $1 per hour increase substitutesWhat really sucks about this is that Hillsborough is also short 200 some teachers and many of those classes are being filled by subs. Who are making next to nothing to essentially be teachers. It's pathetic!
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