At
this point in my pre-student teaching I am actually starting to feel pretty
good about my experience thus far! I just finished up teaching my week-long
unit, and I finally feel like I am establishing relationships with students and
they are seeing me as a co-teacher instead of just someone that comes in to
help.
Besides
teaching my unit, I have had several opportunities to take over as the main teacher
for the class. There have been several times when the class has had substitutes
that I will take over for the class because I know the classroom, students and
expectations. I think it’s really beneficial for the students to have someone
there that can maintain the sense of structure they are used to with their
regular teacher.
HOWEVER…..
Substitute teachers REALLY frustrate me. I’m not sure what
the process is for becoming a substitute teacher, but from the examples I’ve
seen, I can’t imagine that it too difficult of a process. Most of the time,
when substitutes see me walk into the classroom and see the students interact
with me, they immediately think they get the hour off and that I will take over
the class for them.
Seriously. I’ve had some of them say “So, you’re usually
here right? And you’re going to take over the class, right?”
Uhhhh…..okay?????????????
Something I really struggle with during these days is
classroom management with my kids. By the time I get to the classroom, the
damage is usually already done and students are already walking all over the substitute,
switching seats, pretending not to speak English, etc. One strategy I’ve learned
to use is to maintain the classroom management techniques the students are used
to. My MT has implemented several of them such as a quiet signal, warnings,
etc.
Dave Foley’s article “6 Classroom Management Tips Every Teacher
Can Use” offers several other tips for classroom management such as taking
charge of the classroom by waiting “start
teaching until all eyes are on you and everyone is in their seat” (Foley).
However, one tip he includes that would not work for my classroom is to allow
students to sit in their own seats. My MT and I have created a strategic
seating chart that we feel is best conducive to their learning. Allowing
students to choose their own seats would throw the flow of our classroom off
and cause a lot of unnecessary disruptions.
Another thing I struggle with is the content of lessons that
substitutes are intended to teach. It is really difficult for me to sit back and watch a substitute teach content that we have been working with for several days and have the students not be as engaged with it as I have seen them be during other class periods because the substitute do not know the students and do not know how to engage them.
If students are working on assignments, I try to always have them work in pairs as this is how they complete assignments with their regular teacher and tend to do well with collaboration. Students in my classroom thrive on being able to talk and share their opinions, so I try to incorporate that into their independent work as much as possible by sitting down and having discussions with them and their partner about the assignments. Another thing I try to incorporate is movement, which is listed as one of the 7 ways to engage students in Stacy Hurst's "Seven Ways to Increase Student Engagement in the Classroom."
While the substitute teachers cause a lot of unwarranted stress and anxiety in my pre-student teaching experience, I feel like it has given me opportunities to expand my classroom management, create stronger relationships with students, and taught me to prepare for anything.
Articles cited:
http://www.nea.org/tools/51721.htm
http://www.readinghorizons.com/blog/seven-ways-to-increase-student-engagement-in-the-classroom
Ms. Brill,
ReplyDeleteI think most teachers can relate to a frustration with substitutes, probably stemming from the attitude of students when their routine is thrown off--especially with someone who doesn't know them being put in charge of the class. I've been in the position you've described with substitutes. The hardest thing for me is to keep the classroom management under control with a sub there. Like you, I've found that maintaining management procedures the students are familiar with can help.
Some questions for you: How does this experience affect how you will deal with your own classroom? For example, what expectations and consequences will you implement in your own classroom when your students have a substitute? How will you make sure your students understand these policies? How will you format your substitute plans to give your substitute teacher the best chance in your room?
Just some things your post made me think about!
Thank you for your honesty! Your post made me question what substitute practices I'll use in my own classroom.
-Aleisha
I can tell you that the process for becoming a substitute teacher is not hard. You get your fingerprints scanned and you pay $120. So, I do understand why you would think it is not a hard process. Truth is, being a sub takes no effort and almost zero accountability, and you still get your one hundred dollars at the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteMy solution for you would be to immediately position yourself as the leader of the classroom when a sub is there. I am definitely not saying that the sub should get the hour off when you are there, but this is an opportunity for you to teach and to take charge. I had the same problem last year. I had a sub at least once a week and the students immediately got out of hand. The thing is, they know you and will respect you more than a sub, so it is up to you to manage the room.
On the other hand, I have subbed for pre-students teachers and I allow them the opportunity to show me they want to lead. Once they don't step up to the plate I get the classroom rolling the way that I want to. Don't be shy, because the sub will either take the power from you, or give it to you. It all depends on what kind of attitude you bring for that hour. The sub and students will respond to your leadership qualities.
Don't sit back and let a sub teach. Many of them are not qualified or have the passion to teach. All I am saying is next time don't let a random person dictate how your class is going to be ran. Just take the reins and ride.
Ms. Brill,
ReplyDeleteI totally understand where you're coming from. I have been in very similar situations like this this semester, like I am sure most of us have. I always feel like I am taking over the substitute's job by taking control of that day's class, but I have come to learn that I have every right to do that. These are my students and if they are not going to do their job correctly, than I must stand in and be the adult in the room.
And when these things happen, the only thing running through my mind, like you, is 'how much work does it really take to become a sub? Obviously not much...'
Thank you for sharing and venting to us. Just like you said, use it a learning opportunity. For me, this seems to help me because the students look up to and respect me more than the sub and I can get them to work.
Thanks.
Ms. Rodriguez
I hear your frustration, but am glad you can see a bright side. When you have your own classroom, you'll have the best ever instructions for subs!
ReplyDelete