substitute teacher
As a substitute, and new teacher, I am having a hard time not taking personally the low attendance on the days I am there and the people that leave early. I try to be interesting and encouraging but feel frustrated that the students don't seem to take their own education too seriously.
In my classes it very important to know the person you are covering for, understand how he/she wants there class to function and try to adapt to the way they run there class. This will reduce the students stress level, I constantly refure to the instructor I am subbing for as a way of letting the students know I understand they are concerned about thechange.
Don't take it personally,,,in my school the students develop a certain rapport with their instructor and having a substitute sort of throws the rhythm of their game off...it isnt you, it's them,,by having to accept a different face, and different teaching style, and different personality you are forcing the students out of their comfort zone,,some are fluid enough to go with it, some arent and therefore choose to leave rather than dealing with a change in their comfortable little world
Hi Vivian,
I think that with a few more years experience, being a substitute teacher will become much easier.
I have to substitute several times a year to cover other instructors vacations, sick, etc. and I really enjoy the break in routine. I also believe the students enjoy the break in routine as well from their normal instructor as they find in me a new source of opinions, information, and a different teaching style.
One of my tactics is to engage the students immediatly as soon as I walk in the classroom. Start a discussion as to what they have learned so far in the class. Ask them some personal questions (ie; What did they do this weekend?) Then ask them some technical questions to challenge them and challenge them to ask me questions on anything they may be fuzzy on in the curriculum.
Marty
Hey Vivian,
I found that I had to really be myself, plus let them know that just because I was the substitute didn't mean I didn't know what was going on and that they would benefit from what I had to teach them. I also took the time to find out why they were in school and why they wanted to become massage therapists as well as telling them about myself (why I became a massage therapist, how long I had been one, that I was also a performer and taught Hip Hop, etc). I have fun with them but also let them know I expect them to pay attention. I also learn with them. I let them know that because I hadn't been teaching all these years there were some things I'd forgotten and was learning or remembering while I was working with them. Also, find things you have in common with them. I usually have well attended classes now. Hope that helps.
Vivian, I want to thank you and all substitutes for the job you do. Your's is often a thankless and discouraging job, and I believe we regular teachers should make an effort to change that. We should make sure our students know that we expect the class to carry on as usual in our absence, the same way class carries on in the absence of an individual student. We should leave assignments that will be used in the overall evaluation of the students and ask the substitute to document attendance.
To encourage the regular teacher to give you this leverage, perhaps you could suggest that you are willing to go the extra mile and print handouts, grade papers, etc. The students (who are paying good money for the course) deserve this much from both the regular teacher and the substitute.
Hi Vivian,
A substitute teacher has one of the toughest jobs in the world for just the reasons you mentioned. I was one for a period of time and I never want to go back to it. I like having my own class too much. I will tell you there is not a lot you can do to change this since your time is so short and you really don't have any impact on their grades. If you can become part of the evaluative process then your status will change and they will start to attend and participate.
Gary
