re: "How do I handle this?"

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re: "How do I handle this?"
By Steve

Wow - my sympathies. I can see maybe ending up with some computer time if something wasn't clear or there was time available, but three days is _way_ out of line, especially since it sounds like went to a lot of planning
and trouble to make things work out as well as possible.
I'd also like to ask if you have another administrator you could talk to - does your district have a specific sub caller, for example, or does your principal handle that?
One thing you have going for you is witnesses - your aides and the students themselves. But for right now, what I'd suggest is to discretely try to build a

case against having that sub again - maybe discretely ask co-workers if this sub has been in their rooms, and what they thought of her. Try to do it without raising too much suspicion if you can, since it seems this sub has some family connections to the principal.

Also, do you know of any other reliable subs in your district, and how well does your district honor teacher requests for specific subs? That might be a way to reduce the chance of getting the same sub again.

What it comes down to right now is to document the situation (and maybe confirm if your aides would be willing to go on record about this if necessary), and be prepared to go to whoever it takes if this happens again. One thing that might work would be to contact the sub directly and ask about those days - don't be confrontational - just say that you heard some things had not gone the way you had planned them and ask if she saw and understood the materials you left, and if so, then why didn't she follow them? If not, then why didn't she check with the aides to see if they could help clarify things (if I'm not clear on something, aides in the room are the first people I check with since they know the teacher, the kids, and the routine).

I don't know if you do this already, but you might consider leaving your phone number for subs so they can contact you, especially if you know will not be in for more than one day. Then there would be no excuse for three days on the computer, since she would have a way to reach you with questions, even if its during lunch or in the evening after the first day, it would still be better than wasting all three days.

I hope this is of some help - I'm afraid I've rambled a bit with my thoughts but maybe something here will help.