Management

I'm finally getting to the point in my subbing where I can tell the difference between a good teacher and a bad teacher just by observing how their classroom interacts and works without the teacher.  Sometimes I can even tell from the lesson plans.  Sometimes.  Bad teachers often leave brief lesson plans that have little directions for the sub as well as for the students.  Combine little direction with a poorly managed class and you get absolute chaos. 

Other times, everything works perfectly because the teacher has trained the class to continue work as normal even in their absence.  Today, I'm pretty sure I subbed for a master of management.  Master teacher's can write lesson plans that may be brief, still provide all the necessary information to finish every task for the day.  These teachers have also spent the entire year training the students on classroom procedures.   This class is so well trained that I had very few notes about what the students should be doing as far as jobs and procedures, and I didn't even have to ask the students to explain the procedure; they just did it. It is a very relaxing day.  Even when the students get a bit chatty, they are redirected quickly and regain their good work habbits.  During math, I felt free to help the few students that really needed help with the new math concept.  Students even knew to keep working when they had a question on a math problem until I could come by and help them with their problem.  All I can say is I am impressed.

I do understand that just because I had a bad experience doesn't make the class or teacher bad.  I know that there are some classes that drive even the best of teachers crazy.  Students also have good days and bad days, and the bad days tend to fall when a sub is in town.  Teachers have bad day too where they really don't have time to make up a stellar lesson plan.  All I'm saying is the great teachers prove their greatness with how their class behaves when they are gone.  Bad classes don't necessarily prove a bad teacher, but it is certainly not a good sign.