I've been meaning to do a blog on sub job assistance programs for some time, and I am finally getting around to it today. Last spring I described to you how the internet sub system called AESOP works. After a few weeks of spending hours and hours on the system waiting for something to come along I thought there must be a better way to work the system. I was actually just googling the system looking for more information about the program when I discovered that there are several companies that offer downloadable assistance to finding sub jobs. The basic program will refresh your page every few seconds and makes some sort of sound to alert the user that a new job is available. Each system, though, is slightly different in how the execute this search.
Jobulator
Jobulator is the official program that works as a peripheral with AESOP. It is made by the same company that creates AESOP so it is designed to work seamlessly with the program. With jobulator you download a widget onto your desktop that makes a ringing sound when it detects a new job. You can then enter your pin onto the widget and it will accept the job.
Benefits: It is created to work with the system. They also offer a 30 day trial and you pay $40 for a years subscription.
Drawbacks: Jobulator has to be enabled by your school district which unfortunately mine has not. It also does not have monthly subscription price. If you get a teaching position or longterm sub spot, you're pretty much out the money you paid for it.
Assignment Assistant
With Assignment Assistant you download a file which logs you into AESOP and refreshes your page as often as you set it (I set mine for every 7 seconds). When it detects a job, a voice echoes "Hello!" excitedly for about 15 seconds. The best part about this program is that it automatically accepts the job for you, even if you're not right next to the computer. You can also set your computer to only accept jobs that match specific criteria. After I got the system down, I set mine to only accept full days and to not accept special education jobs.
Benefits: Automatic acceptance and the ability to filter jobs through preferences. They have a montly fee of 9.95 so you're not stuck if something comes up. As I understand it, this program is developed and maintained by a current substitute teacher, so he knows the system and what people want out of it.
Drawbacks: It only works with Internet Explorer (which I hate!) And although they have good customer service, the developer e-mails everyone almost every day about the program. I got a little sick of everything clogging up my e-mail. I've also heard from some people that it didn't always accept jobs based on preferences. It also rejects jobs that don't match your preferences so you can't go back and accept them later. Also, because it works by refreshing your browser you get an annoying click every few seconds. It didn't really bother me, but I know some people don't really like it.
SubJobSearch:
This program seems to run along the same lines as Assignment Assistant. They seem to have a few different features though. They do have where you can set up preferences for schools, times, and even teachers that you do and do not want to work for. The other thing they offer is an automatic start up time. Their example is you can set it to start looking at 4AM and their alert will wake you up if they found a job for the day.
Benefits: Even more control over what jobs you accept. It seems to cost $25 for the year (though it's a bit confusing by the website).
Drawbacks: They don't offer a trial period. Reviews I've read from other people said that their customer service was terrible and that they're a bit cocky about their program.
Sub Sidekick
I just found this one at the beginning of this school year. They offered a free 30 day trial so I took it. This program also runs via widget. It starts automatically when you start your computer and searches AESOP ever 30 seconds. You can also set the program to only accept jobs for specific time durations, schools, and to include or exclude pretty much anything you want. This program automatically accepts jobs as per your settings. One day I just let my computer run while I was at another job and came home to three new jobs already lined up! I also like that you can set it not to reject jobs that don't perfectly match your descriptions. It will also alert you whenever there's a job available on your system whether it matches all your preferences or not. You can also set it to send you an e-mail or text your phone when it detects jobs.
Benefits: I found this program a lot easier to use than Assignment Assistant and I haven't gotten one e-mail from them besides the "you got a job" e-mails.
Drawbacks: It's price is 9.99 a month which isn't terrible, but also isn't cheap.
I haven't subscribed to a program yet and I'm not sure if I will. It's been really nice using sub sidekick the first few weeks as I wait for the sub season to pick up again. I might pay again during the slow months just to make sure I still have jobs. Right now I really can't afford a luxury like this and I'm not sure it's worth it when I CAN find jobs on my own, just maybe not quite as easily. I'm hoping really hoping that my substitute networking is going to pay off. I already am going to work two days for a friend this year!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
The First Week
School has been in session for a week now, and I already have stories! I've been blessed to find half day jobs for every day but the first day of school so far (more on this blessing in a future blog). My first day I was covering for a teacher who only needed to leave for an hour but by contract the sub has to have either a half day (3.5 hours) or full day (7 hours) of work. So, I bounced around to a few different classrooms performing odd jobs to help several different teachers.
My second day was very similar. I taught two periods for an orchestra teacher and showed films to both classes that the students were uninterested in. It made for two very long hours. After the classes, the office was supposed to put me to work but they had nothing for me to do. I spent the extra hour and a half reading.
Yesterday (Tuesday because of the holiday weekend) I again read in the teacher's lounge for an hour and a half due to a lack of busy work. Then I taught two periods of junior high English. I had a fabulous discussion with the 7th graders about what makes good writing. After explaining that showing in writing is always better then telling, one student asked if that meant film was better then books. I then engaged the students in a conversation about how film and books were very different mediums and each did different things better than the other. We then played a rousing descriptive game where each member of the class had to describe part of their "dream car."
Today I had a job teaching at a special school for performing arts and reasoning. The teacher I worked for teaches English, social studies, and performing arts. Today I taught two performing arts classes that were a blast. I led the class in warm-ups and led them through several dance exercises. At the end of the day, the teacher was interested in my endorsements because she is having a baby in the spring and needs a long term sub. She was very excited that I have a theatre endorsement as well as the English endorsement. If all goes well, I'll get a few months teaching in the same classroom. There are a few hiccups that might get in the way, but I'm very hopeful that this will work out for next spring.
I've got a few more jobs already scheduled for the next few weeks. I'm very surprised and grateful that I acquired so many jobs so quickly. I'm hoping the rest of the year is just as fruitful as these first few days.
My second day was very similar. I taught two periods for an orchestra teacher and showed films to both classes that the students were uninterested in. It made for two very long hours. After the classes, the office was supposed to put me to work but they had nothing for me to do. I spent the extra hour and a half reading.
Yesterday (Tuesday because of the holiday weekend) I again read in the teacher's lounge for an hour and a half due to a lack of busy work. Then I taught two periods of junior high English. I had a fabulous discussion with the 7th graders about what makes good writing. After explaining that showing in writing is always better then telling, one student asked if that meant film was better then books. I then engaged the students in a conversation about how film and books were very different mediums and each did different things better than the other. We then played a rousing descriptive game where each member of the class had to describe part of their "dream car."
Today I had a job teaching at a special school for performing arts and reasoning. The teacher I worked for teaches English, social studies, and performing arts. Today I taught two performing arts classes that were a blast. I led the class in warm-ups and led them through several dance exercises. At the end of the day, the teacher was interested in my endorsements because she is having a baby in the spring and needs a long term sub. She was very excited that I have a theatre endorsement as well as the English endorsement. If all goes well, I'll get a few months teaching in the same classroom. There are a few hiccups that might get in the way, but I'm very hopeful that this will work out for next spring.
I've got a few more jobs already scheduled for the next few weeks. I'm very surprised and grateful that I acquired so many jobs so quickly. I'm hoping the rest of the year is just as fruitful as these first few days.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Here it Goes again
Well ya'll, I'm back. It's been a. . . kinda boring summer. I wound up with minimal employment so I tried to keep my time occupied by working on my wedding scrapbook and other pursuits. But the school season is now upon us, or at least almost upon us. Tomorrow is the first day of school for my school district. I'm very excited and have spent the last few days getting ready. As is usually the case with me, things did not quite go as smoothly as I expected.
I noticed that sometime during the summer, my account with the sub system had been locked out. At the time I was not alarmed, assuming that perhaps the system gets locked during the summer when the district isn't using it. I was worried though when my account was still locked up a week ago. I had also sent the sub coordinator an e-mail a few weeks ago with my new address and phone number. I specifically asked her to send me an e-mail back saying when/if she would change my phone number in the sub system because that would change some of my log-in info. Two weeks later I still heard no reply. I finally phoned her office yesterday to find out if I had missed some bit of valuable information or was I going to be out of a job for the next year. I was lucky enough to get the actual HR person in charge of the sub system and she was able to get everything working again for me. Apparently there was a letter that went out about continuing employment that was somehow missed in my move. She also never received my e-mails. I'm not sure where they got lost in cyber space because I double checked after our phone conversation and the e-mail address definitely was hers. Either way, there was no permanent damage done and I am not gainfully employed for the coming school year.
I'm very excited for the coming year in that I found out several of my friends received permanent teaching positions with the district. I told that to let me know if they get sick or need a vacation. I am also determined to try networking and trying to get more requested jobs this year. I didn't try very hard at to make connections as a sub because I was only planning to sub just the half of the year. I had business cards made to leave teachers so they will hopefully call me for their subbing needs. I also have a few more ideas to help get the sub ball rolling. For now, I'm just waiting for the first job to show up on my screen.
I noticed that sometime during the summer, my account with the sub system had been locked out. At the time I was not alarmed, assuming that perhaps the system gets locked during the summer when the district isn't using it. I was worried though when my account was still locked up a week ago. I had also sent the sub coordinator an e-mail a few weeks ago with my new address and phone number. I specifically asked her to send me an e-mail back saying when/if she would change my phone number in the sub system because that would change some of my log-in info. Two weeks later I still heard no reply. I finally phoned her office yesterday to find out if I had missed some bit of valuable information or was I going to be out of a job for the next year. I was lucky enough to get the actual HR person in charge of the sub system and she was able to get everything working again for me. Apparently there was a letter that went out about continuing employment that was somehow missed in my move. She also never received my e-mails. I'm not sure where they got lost in cyber space because I double checked after our phone conversation and the e-mail address definitely was hers. Either way, there was no permanent damage done and I am not gainfully employed for the coming school year.
I'm very excited for the coming year in that I found out several of my friends received permanent teaching positions with the district. I told that to let me know if they get sick or need a vacation. I am also determined to try networking and trying to get more requested jobs this year. I didn't try very hard at to make connections as a sub because I was only planning to sub just the half of the year. I had business cards made to leave teachers so they will hopefully call me for their subbing needs. I also have a few more ideas to help get the sub ball rolling. For now, I'm just waiting for the first job to show up on my screen.
Monday, June 14, 2010
The Final Score
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!
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 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.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Student Teaching
It's the time of year where student teachers are EVERYWHERE! I spent an entire week (at two different jobs) with student teachers. It should be a good thing that I get paid to not do anything. Literarally not anything. For the most part, the rules dictate that student teachers have to have a certified teacher in the room at all times. Even when a student teacher is to the point of teaching the class by themselves full-time I still can't leave the room.
So the past week I've spent my time stuck in the back of the classroom, glued to the computer, deperate to find anything to occupy my time and mind. I know this may sound like the dream job, but seriously, it's not fun. Especially when I'm dealing with computers that have everything blocked and are rediculously slow.
During my time in purgatory, I tried to stay busy. But really, I can only check my e-mail so many times a day. I got a good chunk finished in my knitting. I started my first hat ever which is now almost complete. On Monday I applied to three jobs for summer employment. I spent a lot of time visiting my favorite websites. It has been pretty interesting to see what is and what is not filtered by the district. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised to find that my favorite web comics are not blocked by the district. Other times I am frustrated that sites like Pandora or even gmail are blocked.
I always used to say that at work I'd rather be busy than bored. This still holds true. I hate being stagnant. I hate not having something to do. Sometimes it's nice for a little while, but there needs to be something to keep me busy or my mind active. After days of nothing, I really need a day where I actually get to teach something instead of supervising projects, showing films, or monitoring computer lab time. It's days like I've had this week that really make me miss my days of student teaching, where I got to teach something everyday.
So the past week I've spent my time stuck in the back of the classroom, glued to the computer, deperate to find anything to occupy my time and mind. I know this may sound like the dream job, but seriously, it's not fun. Especially when I'm dealing with computers that have everything blocked and are rediculously slow.
During my time in purgatory, I tried to stay busy. But really, I can only check my e-mail so many times a day. I got a good chunk finished in my knitting. I started my first hat ever which is now almost complete. On Monday I applied to three jobs for summer employment. I spent a lot of time visiting my favorite websites. It has been pretty interesting to see what is and what is not filtered by the district. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised to find that my favorite web comics are not blocked by the district. Other times I am frustrated that sites like Pandora or even gmail are blocked.
I always used to say that at work I'd rather be busy than bored. This still holds true. I hate being stagnant. I hate not having something to do. Sometimes it's nice for a little while, but there needs to be something to keep me busy or my mind active. After days of nothing, I really need a day where I actually get to teach something instead of supervising projects, showing films, or monitoring computer lab time. It's days like I've had this week that really make me miss my days of student teaching, where I got to teach something everyday.
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