TheApple

Tell some of your best and worst experiences with substitutes.

How about from the other end? When I subbed, what I disliked was going into a class and being given directions that made me, in effect, a baby-sitter: showing movies and distributing hand-out after hand-out (many of which, I suspect, were strictly "busy-work.") Only on rare occasions did I actually get a chance to teach. Sure, I was a "sub", a substitute - but the full title is substitute TEACHER.

I agree that subbing can feel like baby sitting but sometimes it's hard not to do just that. Sometimes its last minute, the teacher is unprepared and leaves no notes, or in my case, an invited guest speaker was a no show. For all of the aforementiond reasons, I try to stay on the ready...keeping a backup plan available.
I've been on the other end of the spectrum also relying on subs. Most of them did as well as could be expected...given it was a computer class. Thankfully I had students that helped get them through it. Looking back, half of the subs followed my directions and the other half did not. When putting together a sub-packet for my class, I try to take into account that the sub may range from knowledgable to knowledgeless. (Yeah, I know its not a word. I could have said SUB standard) Anyways, I leave easy to follow lesson plans not because I think the sub is a worthless dworb, but just in case. The sub can of course, expand on it if they have the wherewithal. I'm just trying to make the day as stress-free (and productive) as possible for everyone concerned.
But I must say It has crossed my mind (yeah I know I'm about to expose my insecurities) that subs are like voltures just waiting for me to keel over and die so they can swoop in and take my job. I think this especially of the good ones. They do an excellent job in an effort to make me look bad...ok, I don't know where that came from...scratch it.

Well that little luxury almost changed last week. I'm in California and because of the massive budget cuts, staff here was told by our principal that if we had more than 4 absences per year we'd forfeit our right to have a sub cover our class. Our students would have to go home for the day. Fortunately, several teachers cried foul and he rescinded. Wheeeew, what a relief! Sometimes you don't know what you got 'til its gone.
And for the record, I really do appreciate subs...good or bad. But I prefer good.

I came back from a week of having the flu my third year of teaching and...about 4o% of my classroom supplies were missing.  The substitute never locked my classroom door after leaving.  My classroom became the "one stop shopping store" for students and teachers.  Too bad you can't nail everything down to the floor like they use to do with the student desks. 

johnslat says ...

How about from the other end? When I subbed, what I disliked was going into a class and being given directions that made me, in effect, a baby-sitter: showing movies and distributing hand-out after hand-out (many of which, I suspect, were strictly "busy-work.") Only on rare occasions did I actually get a chance to teach. Sure, I was a "sub", a substitute - but the full title is substitute TEACHER.

Thank you John.  I am not a babysitter.  When I sign up for an assignment, I make sure to email the teacher I'll be subbing for.  I let them know that I am comfortable TEACHING.  I give them a quick overview of my qualifications, hoping they will not leave busy work.  If I'm going to be in a class more than one day, I make sure that I have plenty learning activities to keep the students actively engaged.  An idle mind is a terrible thing! 

It's rare for me to even have to sign up for an assignment.  Luckily, I get calls almost daily (during the school year) from teachers who want someone to teach while they are out.  Those are my favorites.  I know I will walk into those classrooms, and the teachers will leave well laid out instructions, lesson plans, and emergency information. 

At the end of my assignment, I leave a detailed letter to the teacher letting her/him know everything we did, how we did it, who did it well, and who had some difficulty.  I also leave a list of students who were helpful, and not so helpful, and any actions I may have taken with those students. 

So, please remember, the sub may only be as good as the material you leave them.

  In Macedonia subs usually cover other teachers who are absent but they have to be from the subject they teach. They have the same rights as other teachers and if they work for 4 years they automatically become full time teachers.

  You can't cover other teacher's classes if you teach different subject.

  Here you can finish faculty for only one or two subjects. I can teach English and German.

we don't really have a sub pool. we have 2-3 subs, and if they are unavailable then teachers use their prep time to cover. i've learned from experience that if i have to get a sub, its one day's worth of work...lost. even when i call in sick i email instructions and our subs NEVER follow anything and are paid babysitters. my students hate when they have subs because they know that not much is going to get done and when i get back its really going to be back to the grind. i really really wish we had a better sub selection.

OldArmyGuy says ...

johnslat says ...

 When I subbed, I never had the chance to e-mail the teacher - or even to know who she/he was. The central office would call at about 6:30 a.m. and tell me only the school and who to see there.

I ended up subbing for all sorts of classes: math, science, shop and even (believe it or not) dance.

I bet you were an awesome dance teacher!  You should give lessons at your current site!

 Only if the students let me lead.