Both sides

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Home : 2003 : October : 21

Both sides
By Mi VIda Loca

I am and have been on both sides of the fence. I am a certified teacher, who chooses to sub instead of having my own class.

Although, we don't have an automated sub caller service, I do agree that teachers should leave
carefully planned, and specific lesson plans. On top of that, the confidentiality thing, if you are subbing in a class with alot of students who have special needs, you need to know. Not only for the obvious reasons, it is your right to know who is critically ADHD,or whatever, so that you are able to handle certain situations better if they arise. There is absolutly no reason that a

teacher should "assume" that you will be able to handle 20 or 30 students without work, or that you'll "figure it out" about extra duties. Someone in the beginning had to guide them, it is their responsibility to guide you through your day.

Now for the other side of the fence.
The only good, and logical reason that I could come up with for a teacher not leaving lesson plans or instructions, is that she had to leave because of an emerengcy. If that be the case, the office should be responsible for giving you, or helping you decided what to assign to students that day.
For the spokesperson for subs in my district, I encourage all teachers to have an emergency set of plans for cases like this.

I passed out red binders to each teacher at the beginning of the year. They were required to insert worksheets, of all subjects that they are studying (may be review), and have it approved by the principal (as they would with lesson plans.) Included in that packet, should be the class shedule, and extra duties(if any), bus line ups, walkers, etc... also a must that should be included are students with special needs. They don't have to go into detail, but a brief outline of the problem, do's and don'ts and so forth.

It has been a great success in my schools.

Another suggestion, is when you get a chance, borrow a teachers workbooks, and make some copies of math addition problems for 3rd grade, maybe some reading/story problems, you know a couple of things that should keep them busy for a couple of hours. Get some for each grade. If you know ahead of time that you will be doing 2nd grade, grab that folder, slip it into your bag, and you'll be a little prepared.

I really hope that I have eased your mind today, and not bored you to death! If you have any questions, just ask. That's what we are here for.