Monday, Monday....

Monday, September 30, 2013 My day began as it usually does at the beginning of a payday week....I check my upcoming paycheck for errors. There always is. I almost expect there to be an error. So I call payroll to find out what hours and days they see me working on. THEN, I have to call the schools that messed up my hours and ask them to re-enter the time for me. Now, last year, corrections would be made and fixed for the same pay period but NOW, the lost hours go on the NEXT paycheck...it's going to be a long 2 more weeks. It's frustrating to say the least. It is sometimes the system and sometime the clerk. All I know is that I will have less money this Friday than I thought. The school today was pretty easy. I live for these days. The 8th grade teacher left a reading and asked that students write a 2 paragraph response. Fairly easy and they could work together to read the information. But there is always that one class that chooses not to do the work. With 5 minutes left, I told the students to just write their names on their papers and give them to me. I think I had 11 blank papers (except for their names). I told them this was ridiculous. During class, I took advantage of the fact that I had an overhead and started a discussion about the reading to ensure they understood what they were doing. There is alway on or two girls with attitudes and an excuse for everything. I clipped those 11 papers together and wrote a note to the teacher: The attached papers belong to a group of students that talked and chose not to work even after I used the projector and explained the reading. There were some funny moments. One boy today was wearing socks he was extremely proud of. They were a leopard print and he was wearing house slippers and shorts. The girls liked the socks and he told me that was his motive behind wearing them. Another boy was working on his paragraphs and instead of writing " endangered species" he wrote about the "endengered spices". I started laughing and asked, "What endangered spices are you referring to? Oregeno? Parsley?" The class started laughing and so did he. Yes, he quickly changed what he was writing. Another just made up some random stuff that was nowhere in the reading to include quoting Allstate insurance. It was crazy! But at least this class made me laugh before my lazy group came in for the day. It was also interesting to me that the Special Ed teacher came in and mentioned that if a particular student had a problem in class today to send him to her. I thought for sure I knew which student it would be but I was wrong. The boy she was talking about was perfectly fine for me. The other boys I THOUGHT, were not even in special education classes. I secretly love when this happens because bar is always set so low for students in special education. But the last couple of teaching assignments I've had, the students in special education were the best!

TGIF

Friday, September 27, 2013 Because of the week and weeks I've been having, I decided to check into the school I went to today. Since the school had a website (and not all schools do), I was able to look up the teacher's name that I was filling in for and know the grade: 6th. But when I looked down at the list of teachers I recognized the name of a teacher I worked with in my first year. I was so happy! I sent her a message on Facebook letting her know I would be there. The sub system listed the start/end time at 8am-3:30. Because the end time was 3:30, start time is supposed to be 8:30. I assumed the 8am start time was so I got there early...I was wrong. So I pulled up at 7:55 only to struggle to find a place to park...then realized there were two different buildings and, of course, I entered the wrong building and had to run to the next. The secretary told me the teacher I know was in the classroom with the 6th graders I was teaching and I was relieved. When I got up to the third floor, I saw my friend and had to try not to cry. I know it sounds stupid but after this long week, I was emotionally drained. It was a relief to see a friendly face. I ended up having a good day and never raised my voice once. The school I was in was predominantly Hispanic but also African American and White students. It was a nice mix of respectful and good kids. A nice ending to a horrible week. Today, I just wanted to cry. I don't know how much more of this I can take. Substitute teaching is not simply a paycheck for me. I LOVE to teach. I don't want to just babysit and hand out busy work. But I understand that teachers leave real lessons only to find out that the sub didn't follow them. But everyday I wake up and drive to a school that I don't know. I never know what grade or the students or staff. I never know how strict I have to be so I am not taken advantage of. Some days just really get to me. When I started teaching, I wanted to teach where I was really needed, thinking I could make a difference but I don't believe this anymore. I shouldn't have to fight with students to get them to learn and want to learn. Teachers keep getting blamed for students not doing well in schools but if you only knew what they go through every day. I really believe that when parents or families are involved and care, the schools are better and teachers feel supported. Off for the weekend!

Thursday, September 26, 2013 My post is late for Thursday. It was a rough 1/2 day of work which made me glad I only worked 1/2 the day. When I pull up to a school with a police presence around the school, I know I am in for quite a day. But I had no idea. I was assigned a 2nd grade class but don't let that fool you. Children are, at times, a perfect example of their environment. Disrespectful, getting out of their seats, talking loud, shrugging their shoulders when they are told to do or not do something. The teacher left work and information, however, at 10:30am, students with special needs came into the room because they were supposed to have technology and library in the classroom. SUPPOSED to. I waited. And waited. I had to get 29 second graders to be quiet so I could buzz the office to find out where the teacher was. When they finally answered, I couldn't hear a word they were saying. I had to raise my voice so much in this class just to be heard that I could feel my voice starting to go. One thing I find, in almost all of the schools is that they fail to tell the sub of the consequences established in the classroom. Every school, teacher and class is different. A heads up would be nice. When I took students down to go to recess, we had to wait for security. Behind me, I had a class whose teacher was getting annoyed thinking I was holding up the students from going out. She had her wig all done up, tons of make-up, large woman using a walking stick because she didn't seem to have good balance. I turned around to tell her the kids were going out but we were waiting for security. She looked right past me and mumbled about not waiting and she left. When I got back up stairs, she and I were the only two in the hallway. I took this time to say that security was late and that was the hold up. She completely ignored me. Didn't look at me. Then walking in her room. Are you kidding me???? I have a feeling she spends more time on her appearance than she does in teaching. I was glad to walk out of their and I've started making a list of schools to never, EVER go back to.

A Day in the Life of a Substitute Teacher: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 Today I pulled u...

A Day in the Life of a Substitute Teacher: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 Today I pulled u...: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 Today I pulled up to a new school...sorta. When I first started substitute teaching 2 years ago, I was ...

Wednesday, September 25, 2013 Today I pulled up to a new school...sorta. When I first started substitute teaching 2 years ago, I was sent there. I was green and not much experience. My first impression was OMG, what am I doing? But today I am better and I don't put up with much. Sitting in the office, I find out that I am not teaching in a class that I was scheduled for. I was being placed in kindergarten. As I sat talking to two other substitute teachers also waiting for assignments, I found out that another (horrible) school a few blocks away closed and those students were now at this one! I was just praying for the best but my expectations were pretty low. I went to the classroom and found it was a self-contained class with 4 students ranging from autism to downs syndrome. There was a nice aid in the room. Shortly after being in there for 5 minutes, another person comes in and sends me to the kindergarten, another room. THIS teacher wrote out my schedule with the students on construction paper, in marker. A parent comes in and says she's a volunteer....who proceeds to take complete charge of the room, restroom break and discipline. I stood there. Don't get me wrong, help and guidance especially when the teacher left no lesson plan, is helpful. But I am there to be the teacher...not her. In my head I bounced around the fact that I am getting paid and to blow it off but I needed to gain control early on or the day would be lost. I was glad when she left after an hour. I was left with no lessons so I took her 1/2-assed plans and read the story she left me, had student draw a picture of one of the scenes we read. We worked on daily routines and a little math. I was dumbfounded when I got to a science worksheet with no reading materials but they were supposed to fill in the blank! Several still could hardly read and write. Just didn't seem appropriate for their level. But I've saved the best for last. A boy...four years old...couldn't sit for more than one minute. Was into everything and was everywhere. I literally had to hold his hand everywhere I went: walking around the room, in the hall, etc... Then he would yell, "I want to go home!" Sometimes it was following up with fake or no tears. What was funny to me was when he would drop and say he was tired. I'd be tired too if I did nothing but run in circles around the room and disrupt the class. At the end of the day, I waited for families to pick up their kids. Do you think this little boy's family showed up? Nope. I had to take him to the office. I asked one guy working there why he wasn't in the preschool class at age 4 and "they were working on it" with the family. Discipline? Structure? I don't believe this child had any hyperactivity issues. I think he was young and being allowed to do whatever he wanted because he's little and cute. What a mess!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013 After Monday, I decided to confirm my sub job for Tuesday and I did. It just so happens that this particular school was one block away from where my grandparents used to live and my mom grew up in this neighborhood. It now has a lot of gang activity. The house is still there but it isn't safe. I showed up and found out I was teaching 3rd grade. The school was taken over a few years ago because of doing poorly on state tests. Now it is run like a basic training camp (I know this because I am ex-military). One thing that doesn't sit well with me is that these particular schools are only in predominantly African American neighborhoods. I would think that if this style of school were in white neighborhoods, there would be a huge backlash. I understand that many kids are not being disciplined and so "tough-love" is the step but it seems unnatural for kids to be completely silent all day long without getting into some trouble. When I first went into the office to sign in, not one office person spoke to me. I tried to get their attention but I was ignored so I went to the teacher in-boxes to get the breakfast sheet. I waited and waited before finally a secretary apologized and told me my room and grade. They didn't know if there were lessons in the room. So I went up, had to pee and then race down to the 1st floor from the third to pick up the student. Keep in mind I have not been in the room. When we get to the room, it is locked! Students are standing silent, patiently, to get into the room holding all their belongings. (The door was locked all day so I had to remember to put a stop in the door to get back in.) The day wasn't entirely bad. I get self-conscious when I feel teachers see me dealing with out of control students and worry about what they are thinking. At times, as with this one, I feel the need to let them know that I have taught in schools like theirs before and I am familiar. But then I have to keep in mind I AM A SUB! I'm an over-achiever. But two other teachers told me that this group of 3rd graders were difficult. It made me feel better to know that they acted the same with their regular teacher! Maybe she needed a mental health day : ).

Monday, September 23, 2013 I reported to a school and when I got there, I was told that they had already asked someone one to sub for that teacher. Schools are not to do that. This was the second time this has happened to me so it was hard not to get angry. I told them that the system put me in this spot and that if they didn't have a place for me, I would not get paid for this day. There were plenty of positions still available but by now it was too late. So the school had me go to classrooms, relieve teachers so they could have hour meetings and basically babysit until they got back to their rooms. So I was running around all day and didn't get to teach. I know what you are thinking? What am I complaining about? I still got paid, right? Yes, but it makes for a long day walking up and down and all over. The asst. principal was nice and friendly. But I think the secretary messed up and put her friend in the spot I was supposed to take for the day.

Why Write About My Substitute Experience?

I've decided to start this blog because of all the craziness that I have encountered as a substitute teacher, especially this year! I will not mention school names or districts because that would be wrong. I will, however, paint a picture of what it is like to be a substitute teacher in a large urban area. I started teaching 2 years ago thinking substitute teaching will help me to grow as a teacher and find a school that would see how great I am and hire me. Unfortunately, with all the school closings, the teacher competition is growing and jobs are limited. I've been lucky enough to teach 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade for materity leaves. I grew attached to my students and miss them so much. This year, I am being randomly sent all over and not getting the opportunity to be attached to students. It makes me sad. When I was younger, I remember giving our substitute teachers a hard time. But never to the extent of what I encounter now. It is a different world and I am expected, each day, to walk into a classroom, control it, teach and navigate in schools and neighborhoods I have never been in before. Each day presents a new challenge. So far this year, I subbed for a 7th and 8th grade class in a neighborhood with a high gang-level activity. In fact, many students discussed gangs in their conversations in the room or tried to put on colors in the room thinking I had no clue as to what they were doing. I was called a bitch and "fuck you". Security came to the room because of the noice and there was little respect for the principal who came in and was dispected as badly as I was. At the end of the week, I found myself at a culturally diverse school with 3rd graders, 30 of them! The teacher whom I was filling in for left detailed plans and lessons for me to teach! I was so happy! At the end of the day that Friday, several students drew pictures for me telling me I was their favorite "substitute" teacher and that they would miss me. It is days like this that I live for. Days like this that give me hope of teaching in my own classroom one day. Basically, this blog is my way of venting the good, the bad and the ugly of substitute teaching. There seems to be a lot more ugly these days.