I am writing this blog post on Friday, and I just picked up a gig for April 1st. That I'll likely have to drop. Because that's just how this semester has been going.
Ever since this district joined the 21st Century and adopted the computerized booking system, getting gigs is a matter of jumping on them when they pop up on the app on my phone. But I've been letting a lot of those go by lately.
As that gig ended, I started picking up a bunch of gigs for February. I had about half the month booked when I got the email asking me if I would pick up that special ed long term, the math and world history one. Which (if you've been following along with me, you know) I did.
There was something sad about watching all the gigs I had picked up, one by one, getting deleted in one big purge. The jobs had to go to other subs as I was going to be busy. I mean, I don't begrudge others having them. It was just how much time and effort it took to fill my month now gone even though my month was going to be busy with the long-term.
So, again, as that special ed gig was ending, I again went about picking up a bunch of gigs for March. But I've been holding off on taking anything in April.
Back in something like September, I got an email from a teacher I had done a long term assignment for in the past. She'd be out in the spring as she was pregnant with her second child. Would I be willing to cover?
Her maternity leave started in February, but because subs can only cover 30 days, she had another sub start when she left, and I'll continue once the first sub finishes her 30 days. Around the beginning of April.
Which meant that I had March to fill. And, I had just about filled it. Well, I had made a good start, anyway.
But on my last Friday in the special ed long term, I got an email from a secretary (at a different school, so she didn't know I was finishing a long term) about covering a week for a teacher who was suddenly going to be out.
Sure, I said. And then I sadly dropped all the gigs from that week as I would be busy.
That's the math class I wrote about last week.
But, it turns out that Mr. R's foot problem is worse than first thought. When it seemed like the issue might last longer, I went to the secretary and told her that I just had day-to-day assignments for March, so I could drop them and remain in Mr. R's class if necessary.
On Monday I got word that it would be necessary.
And so, again, there went two weeks of gigs I had grabbed as they popped up. Sigh.
It's almost like I shouldn't bother.
I'm not sure exactly what day I start the long term English class I've been anticipating. The sub desk hasn't officially added me for it. (I know she will. When it's closer.) So, I'm not sure what day it'll start. (The current sub took a sick day, so it got pushed a day out further.)
And, we're not sure if Mr. R will return on April 1st (which is when he's currently scheduled to return).
But I picked up a gig for April 1st. Which I might end up not doing. Because.
I mean, at least I've been working steadily. And the days I hoarded ended up going to subs who might not have gotten them otherwise.
So, I've got two more weeks in that math class. (Well, one more week by the time you read this.) And then the English class that'll take me to nearly the end of May. Better booked than not, I suppose.
Your whole system of getting assignments sounds like a nightmare.
ReplyDeleteAround here, if someone is going to be out long term,like a maternity leave lasting several months, they hire a “leave replacement” instead of a sub. I think that in our state a sub can teach a class for 45 days, not 30, but if someone is out for longer than that they want continuity in the classroom and hire the “leave replacement”
Someone needs to tell our local districts about this. It would make a lot more sense than what we do now.
DeleteI had no idea there was so much behind the scenes scrambling to fill your schedule! And only being able to sub 30 days seems silly for something like covering for medical leave. I'd rather my kid have the same sub for 90 days instead of 3.
ReplyDeleteYeah. That would make more sense. But alas, that's not the way we do things. (If I could change the system, I would.)
DeleteSeems like there should be an easier way or assigning the jobs that are available.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame that systems can't be designed by the end users. In the meantime the present system you must use caused you so much work. Not a good thing. All that time wasted!
ReplyDeleteAnd this is better than the last system. Scary, huh?
DeleteIt's a wonder you know what day it is, or where you are! Just reading that was confusing, so it must be living it! The good thing? You certainly have plenty of work!
ReplyDeleteOh, I never know what day it is. The app shows what I'm supposed to do today, so it's not hard to keep track of that.
DeleteWith technology I would think it would be smoothier.
ReplyDeleteSitting at home doing little more than reding books and writing blog posts, I feel like scouting for some gigs. But I wonder if there can't be a better way of managing leave vacancies in schools.
ReplyDeleteThis is better than having a human call at 6 AM. Yes, there should be a better way, but this is better than before.
DeleteThat's a rollercoaster of schedules! Wishing you the best with the upcoming English assignment!
ReplyDeleteThe downside of subbing. At least there doesn't seem to be a shortage of work!
ReplyDelete