Not that I've really been keeping score, or even knowing how you would score substituting. Either way, I'm counting this year as a win! I successfully finished student teaching with an absolutely wonderful group of ninth graders. I'm so thankful I've been able to return back to "my" classroom several times as a sub, for more reasons than knowing kids names for one day of a crazy week. Tomorrow I get to finished my year with a half day back in my old classroom. I think they're having some sort of field day, so it could get a little crazy.
Here are some other ways I think I've won:
1. Nobody broke an arm, bled profusely, or died while I was working! I count that as a major win.
2. I was able to find work for almost every day I wanted to work. I think I only had 5 or 6 days for the whole half of the year that I didn't work when I was trying to find a job.
3. I figured out how to use the Aesop substitute system (the online job finder). The last two months of work I had almost exclusively full days of work.
4. I found the teachers lounge almost every day! (I only didn't find it one day, and I don't think it was a half day without lunch anyway.)
5. I found creative and effective ways to deal with discipline issues.
6. I made creative lesson plans for dead time/sub plans-gone-amuck days.
I'm sure there were many other wins throughout the semester, I'm mostly just happy to have survived. Over the last five months I've worked at 27 of the 37 schools in the district (i'm hoping to make it to the other 10!)
And now, some advice for future subs:
1. If you need the money, don't be picky with the jobs. I've worked everything from special education preschool to AP Calculus. Although some of the jobs I've had were most definitely horrific, I always figure I can do anything for 7 hours! Most teachers are pretty considerate in their lesson planning (some a little too considerate)
2. Bring a book, knitting, or SOMETHING to occupy your down time. You will have it. Most teachers don't give you grading or copying to do during breaks or prep periods.
3. If you want to do any actual teaching, you'll probably have to sub for elementary school. The majority of my secondary sub jobs were supervising projects that I didn't really know what they were doing or any of the requirements, AV technician for videos, or study hall monitor. Elementary teachers have to teach several different subjects a day, which usually includes at least some direct instruction.
4. Keep track of the teacher's you don't want to work for. Those are the teachers you'll probably see a lot on the sub system.
Finally, my goals for the next year:
1. Teach at the last 10 buildings I haven't been to.
2. Network more so I'm requested for more jobs.
3. Learn more about discipline.
4. Enjoy my summer before I start this whole thing over again!
I've enjoyed this year. It's been incredibly difficult, but also incredibly wonderful in so many ways. I'm glad I survived the year. And more importantly, all my students survived the year too!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
A First
I caught my first student cheating last week. Not really something I look forward to as a teacher, but it is a part of the job. The worst part was I was back in the classroom where I did my student teaching, so this was a student I knew pretty well. I can't say that I'm surprised at the cheating, just disappointed. Here's what happened:
I was giving the students their final vocabulary test for the year. Before I started for the day, I was told that cheating had been a rampant problem with students. Many found themselves at the end of the school year desperate to get that A for their freshman year of high school. Other students were just trying to pass the class and avoid summer school. Whatever the reason for cheating, I was told to watch the students very carefully during the test.
I did my watching with no problems that I could see in the first class. After I passed out all the exams to the second class, I noticed a problem. One student had his hand balled into a fist, and I could see a bit of white sparkling through his fingers. I watched him carefully and noticed he never moved his hand out of the fist, and I knew I had a problem. For awhile, I decided just to watch him carefully, and not give him an opportunity to use his notes. I realized that I couldn't watch him throughout the entire test and knew I had to move in. I calmly walked beside his desk, ask for his cheat-sheet, and calmly walked by to my desk where I unfolded the two small pieces of paper with several of the vocabulary words and definitions writen in miniscule handwriting. He quietly protested as I walked away that he hand not used the papers.
I let him finish his test. I was relitively sure he didn't use the cheat sheet, but I really couldn't be sure. I asked the student to stay for a minute after class. I told him that no whether he used the notes or not, he still came to class with the intent to cheat and there is no way for me or his teacher to know if he cheated or not. All we see is that he had at one point decided to cheat on his test. I told him I would write his teacher a note explaining everything that happened, but he should probably prepare for the worst.
Overall, I think I handled the situation decently. I am really not great at the intense discipline part of teaching (another reason why I would make a terrible principal). I was the kid that never cheated in school. I know some methods of cheating, I'm just don't think I'm very good at recongnizing cheating yet. I'm sure I'll get better, but it saddens me that I have to. I suppose I always have to take the good along with the bad when it comes to any profession.
I was giving the students their final vocabulary test for the year. Before I started for the day, I was told that cheating had been a rampant problem with students. Many found themselves at the end of the school year desperate to get that A for their freshman year of high school. Other students were just trying to pass the class and avoid summer school. Whatever the reason for cheating, I was told to watch the students very carefully during the test.
I did my watching with no problems that I could see in the first class. After I passed out all the exams to the second class, I noticed a problem. One student had his hand balled into a fist, and I could see a bit of white sparkling through his fingers. I watched him carefully and noticed he never moved his hand out of the fist, and I knew I had a problem. For awhile, I decided just to watch him carefully, and not give him an opportunity to use his notes. I realized that I couldn't watch him throughout the entire test and knew I had to move in. I calmly walked beside his desk, ask for his cheat-sheet, and calmly walked by to my desk where I unfolded the two small pieces of paper with several of the vocabulary words and definitions writen in miniscule handwriting. He quietly protested as I walked away that he hand not used the papers.
I let him finish his test. I was relitively sure he didn't use the cheat sheet, but I really couldn't be sure. I asked the student to stay for a minute after class. I told him that no whether he used the notes or not, he still came to class with the intent to cheat and there is no way for me or his teacher to know if he cheated or not. All we see is that he had at one point decided to cheat on his test. I told him I would write his teacher a note explaining everything that happened, but he should probably prepare for the worst.
Overall, I think I handled the situation decently. I am really not great at the intense discipline part of teaching (another reason why I would make a terrible principal). I was the kid that never cheated in school. I know some methods of cheating, I'm just don't think I'm very good at recongnizing cheating yet. I'm sure I'll get better, but it saddens me that I have to. I suppose I always have to take the good along with the bad when it comes to any profession.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The End is Near
I can tell in every classroom I've been in lately that the end of the school year is fast approaching. Monday was the last day off of school. With the end comes a whole slew of problems. First, I'm not sure how many jobs will be available for me in the next two weeks. Should I start accepted every day and half day job I find? At this point I'm thinking probably, but I can't help but think that every time I accept a mediocre position a few days in advance I will miss a perfect job (a better suited subject matter or a closer school). I really can't worry too much about the what ifs though.
The kids have also gotten a bit more difficult. I can feel their summer energy is now barely contained as the watch the calendar slowly count down the days to their summer freedom. The teachers I have talked with are also excited for the new prospects that come with summer. Some are anticipating the few months of freedom, or just the new opportunities that await in September.
I find this new season much more difficult than I anticipated a few short months ago. I've been at this for almost five months and had expected to be moving on to a better position in Japan. Alas, it seems as if I am doomed to stay in professional limbo for awhile yet. I hate the waiting the most, which seems to be all that I'm doing lately. Waiting for another sub job, waiting to hear about the Japan program, waiting to move, waiting for something to happen. While students around the district and country are eagerly waiting for the last day of school, I am dreading the end of the school year. Although subbing is frustrating at times, it was consistent work that I could count on for a decent paycheck at the end of each month. It was something that was flexible and I could leave at anytime without anyone really noticing should I get the call to go to Japan. Now I have to find something to occupy my time throughout the summer. So more waiting as I send applications and resumes to anything that looks promising. Still two weeks left, and I know a lot could change in these few weeks. For now, I'll just be waiting.
The kids have also gotten a bit more difficult. I can feel their summer energy is now barely contained as the watch the calendar slowly count down the days to their summer freedom. The teachers I have talked with are also excited for the new prospects that come with summer. Some are anticipating the few months of freedom, or just the new opportunities that await in September.
I find this new season much more difficult than I anticipated a few short months ago. I've been at this for almost five months and had expected to be moving on to a better position in Japan. Alas, it seems as if I am doomed to stay in professional limbo for awhile yet. I hate the waiting the most, which seems to be all that I'm doing lately. Waiting for another sub job, waiting to hear about the Japan program, waiting to move, waiting for something to happen. While students around the district and country are eagerly waiting for the last day of school, I am dreading the end of the school year. Although subbing is frustrating at times, it was consistent work that I could count on for a decent paycheck at the end of each month. It was something that was flexible and I could leave at anytime without anyone really noticing should I get the call to go to Japan. Now I have to find something to occupy my time throughout the summer. So more waiting as I send applications and resumes to anything that looks promising. Still two weeks left, and I know a lot could change in these few weeks. For now, I'll just be waiting.
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