Sub Vision: Dear Substitute Teacher

 It is the start of a new school year and whether you are excited to go back to work or wish you had a longer vacation, your summer vacation will probably last a little longer, as most teachers are still present in class. By the time calls start coming you will be mentally ready…

When that happens, be prepared with few items to help you in case you are sent to a class that is not ready for you. Think ahead of some activities that would occupy students in case they don’t have anything to do. Although many of them would not want to participate, some will, and it will make a difference.

I usually carry with me Sudoku to draw on the board and challenge students to solve it. If they are too lazy to copy it (occasionally I copy for them), some will be happy to do it on the board. You may also look for various brain puzzles. I recently found one with symbols representing expressions, and students really enjoy it...

Most classrooms are equipped with an electronic device that can run a movie. You may want to fetch few DVDs, as they are easy to carry. I usually bring a classic, not anything students would watch on their own, to introduce them to good old, yet entertaining, movies, like Charlie Chaplin’s or the Marx Brothers’.

For your own entertainment, bring something to read in case students are busy. Try not to use your cell phone, as it looks unprofessional. Reading a book or magazine will make you look professional, and will give students a good example. I usually carry with me the Time Magazine; it contains current news, fun facts and stories…

Take with you a snack and a bottle of water; you never know what the school cafeteria provides. Bring a hat in case you are to supervise an outside action, and a light sweater in case air-conditioning is too chilly.

Make sure you are cozy and mobile. Use a light handbag, comfortable shoes and be as self-sustained as possible; you may be at an unfamiliar school, or doing unplanned activity at the gym, out on the field, or in an office filing papers...

And my favorite… go to the cafeteria for nutrition and lunch (make sure you have few one dollar bills), and talk to someone; There is nothing as effective in relieving daily stress as talking to another adult who deals with similar situations...

Sub Vision: Movie Anyone?

Students always press for a movie day. Whenever a teacher, and especially a sub, seem not to be sure of the lesson plan, it is always – movie, let’s watch a movie…

It used to be the remedy for every space in instructions, but in the past several years the district have put some limitations on it, and schools became more critical of teachers who insert movies too often. Even substitute teachers have to be very careful; it has to be under specific instructions of the regular teacher. I, therefore, carry with me optional activities, in case a teacher had not left a lesson plan.

It looks like the rules are loosening again, though, and I recently encountered more and more instances where a movie was the educational plan. Over the past school year I have seen many pictures in class, too often, unfortunately, not the type I would consider a good choice for high school, let alone middle school, students…

Regardless of choices, one thing never ceases to amaze me; no matter what kind of a movie is being shown, students are not interested. As soon as the movie starts students are turning to their preferred occupancy – talking to a friend, styling their hair, putting on makeup, doing other work, and most often getting on their phones.

Help me, someone, understand… if a movie is such a sought after class activity, how come more than half the class doesn’t even watch it? Why are they tuned out as soon as the screen in the front of them becomes alive with pictures and words?

The teachers who do care prescribe some preventive measures. There are teachers who ask students to write a summary of what they have seen, others give a short quiz about the movie, or part of it, afterwards. One teacher had left me desperate instructions about forbidding any cell phones and turning off all the lights so students won’t be able to do anything else besides watching the movie…

    

But students are smart, skilled and experienced, and would do anything to defy the rules… so then, maybe, just maybe, teachers should be the ones to follow the rules… and not show any movies…

Substitute Teaching: Tips for substitute teachers

Substitute teaching is hard, but it has the advantage that at the end of the day you don’t have to stress over tomorrow. Even if committed for a long term, there is always a way out without breaking a contract or much attention. I worked at a school for four years, with assignment ranging from one month to a year long, and although never used the option to withdraw, I had a peace of mind knowing that it is available. Lately, with only few exceptions, I take only one-day assignments.

Here are few tips on how to tolerate the job:

What to carry: Take a bag that is big enough to include a light sweater (classes are always over air-conditioned), water bottle, and a lightweight book or magazine, but not too big or heavy in case you move between classrooms. Having something to read or be occupied, will keep your sanity. In most cases, you are not expected to teach, and being busy will make time go faster, and irritation level minimal. Using a cell phone might look unprofessional, but a good book or magazine will do.

Also, bring some basic supplies; papers to write notes to the permanent teacher, the office, or to yourself, extra pencils, a red pen, and even some dry-erase markers.

What to plan: Plan an activity for a worst-case scenario when teacher had not prepared a lesson plan and the class is unruly; happens often enough. My favorite students’ individual activity is Sudoku. I draw it on the board, let students copy it (keeps them busy for a while), and explain the rules. Other activities can be fun problems solving, or if you have a good control of the class, you may create groups to compete against each other. My favorite subject is geography or general themes.

Tools to control the class: The most critical tool for keeping a class in order is a seating chart. Nothing is more powerful than mastering names. Unfortunately, many teachers do not have one, and thus a hard copy roster is critical. Over the years, I have developed methods to create my own charts. If seating is in rows, I mark student’s seat on the roster with a letter and a number (e.g., row A, seat 4). Otherwise, I draw a simple map and mark seats with student’s serial number; makes locating names easy. If none possible, I wait few minutes before taking a roll, observe students to locate potential troublemakers, and mark them as I take role. Calling a student by name, or better, writing it on the board is very effective.

Tool to keep them busy: Responsible teachers prepare work to keep students occupied the entire period, leave extra work for the over achievers, and instruct to collect papers at the end of the period. Some schools demand emergency lesson plans. Less organized teachers (and schools) do not have plan or clear instructions. For these situations I keep a red pen to mark students’ progress. I may give them a check or a star after the first 10 problems, and another star (stamp, sticker), after the next 10. This way I can control their progress, and motivate them to stay busy.

Other motivators: Some substitute teachers walk around and distributing stickers, prices or candies. I don’t. Partly, because I don’t want to carry stuff with me, and partly, because I don’t believe in rewarding behavior that is part of being at school.

You can choose your own way… but, most important – when things get rough remember – you don’t have to do it again tomorrow!