One thing I love about the new year is all the new office people! I have only seen one of the same administrators from last year. Principals change, office staff change, but I keep coming back. It's rather comforting to know there is change.
It's weird with no cell phones in class, but I kind of like it. I only do high school, and the kids get patted down and have to put their cell phones in pouches until the end of the day. It's pretty wild.
I am subbing an art class today, and I had this kid come so many times during my free period that I could not get my stuff together. First, he came as soon as I got to the class at 8 am to use the gumball machine; then he came during my free period to get a band-aid; then he came again to store his lunch in this teacher's refrigerator, and he just left because he wanted to use the gumball machine again. I'm not sure why these students expect a sub to act like their regular teacher. This kid was pounding on my locked door. It was the entitled attitude that got to me.
Fighting the students about bathroom breaks is beyond annoying. These are not students new to high school. They know they have to sit down for the last period of class.
This is the third teacher this week who did not leave pencils for her students. Luckily, I bring about four with me, but the kids never return them, so I am getting low. I always ask that they be returned, but I am lucky if that happens.
I just got a nasty note from the principal of the SPED program about his "concerns" about me. All of it wasn't true, so I wrote back with my documentation of lack of sub plans and lack of organization and cced human resources and my union. I am now taking this school out of my rotation. I am so sick of lazy paras being a-holes.
I was wondering if any other subs have had the experience of watching teachers audition for jobs at schools. This whole week I have watched teachers or trying-to-be teachers doing classes for principals and assistant principals. I have seen physics, AP Civics, biology, and AP English. The kids have been so mean in their assessments of the teachers. I thought I had it bad with college students giving me reviews, but high school kids have them beat.
I have subbed for classes where the teachers let student teachers or teachers in training take over, but these auditions have been eye opening. In the auditions, the teacher gets reviewed by the class after his or her lesson. The principal asks the students for their input. The kids said one poor woman was boring, and another was repeating himself too much. One poor teacher passed out candy. I guess she thought bribery would work.
I love subbing for teachers going on field trips! You are basically in an empty classroom all day, and it's just so chill.
I know it's a pain with money, but I am looking forward to summer. School will be out soon, and I look forward to taking a breather.
I am in a VERY competitive district, but lately jobs have been sitting in Frontline. These are high school jobs, so I am very surprised. Just a week ago, everyone was scrambling for a job. Makes me wonder what's going on. Burnout? Substitutes gave up?