Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Finding Coverage

Because last week was a holiday week, I pushed the stories from the week before to this week. 

I think I've mentioned the sub situation, which is to say that subs are in high demand. 

I'm firmly entrenched in this long-term gig at the adult transition center. So, I haven't seen what's going on in the other schools. But going by what's been going on where I'm at, I think things are pretty dire. 

First, a brief explanation. The adult transition center has four teachers. It is on the same campus (separated by locked gates) as the alternative education center (which is the school I was at this past summer, the one with the students with behavior problems). The alternative education center has three teachers. 

And the whole school is next door to an elementary school. 

The week before Thanksgiving break, at least one other teacher was out each day. (Illness. Bereavement.) And while the teacher who was out for three days (and had put in an absence request early) got a sub, the other two teachers (who had called out the morning of the day) didn't. 

What to do? Now they're pulling a teacher from the alternative education center to cover a class at the adult transition center. Yes, a teacher who already has a class with students in it is pulled from his class to cover another class. 

And they've done this more than once. 

I don't know how they're covering the class he's leaving, though. They might just be period subbing, where he's working on his prep period. (The teachers do get paid for the extra work.) As I wasn't watching all day, they may have switched out teachers when I wasn't looking. 

But yeah, the district is way short on subs. At least I have job security at the moment...

22 comments:

  1. Sounds like you have a full time job just subbing. How do they watch all of those kids?

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    Replies
    1. Yup, I work just about every school day. Where I'm at, there aren't that many students.

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  2. I wonder if it gets worse they'll resort to online again? It is the silver lining for you though!

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    1. I rather doubt it. We only resorted to online on the day the power went out. The district is determined to remain in person.

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  3. Every teacher I know says the sub situation is the same in their school districts. My high school used to just stick us in study hall, but I don't even know if that's an option for schools these days.

    Glad about the job security & hoping it's not bringing too much stress along with it.

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  4. Ooof! That sounds rough. I wish I had more time to try to step in as a sub to help out.

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    1. Even if you could work a day a week it would help. I know one sub who can only work a couple days a week, and while she wishes she could do more, I reminded her that anything was helpful, especially now.

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  5. It's tough, and I understand they are having problems where I live. Not only with teachers, but with school bus drivers being in very short supply. We all hope this pandemic can be brought to a halt somehow.

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    1. I don't interact with the buses too much, so I don't know that situation, but I'm not shocked that they'd be in short supply, too.

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  6. From my understanding of 2 nieces who are teachers, and my daughter who's a high school college counselor...subs are in short supply everywhere and it's very common to have a teacher with a free period do the subbing. So few classes are full with kids out due to Covid and or quarantined due to exposure it just has to be handled that way.

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    Replies
    1. Yup, it's everywhere. Job security for me ;)

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  7. Whoo, what a mess. I wonder if it's going to get better or worse.

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  8. Same issue where I live. Was tempted to go back to it because the money is great, but the Barbarians begged me not to (because of how horrid subs are treated by students).

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  9. That's great you can work as much as you want. I think it's the same most places these days.

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  10. I have a friend who is subbing in Texas and hates it. I hope your experiences are better than hers. (IE - she spend the entire time telling kids to get off their phones.)

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  11. I think a lot of industries are having difficulties finding employees. Good to have job security!

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    1. I think workers are having a better time of it right now. Sort of. At least we have options :)

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  12. I know our school dist is short on bus drivers.
    Coffee is on and stay safe

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  13. Hi Liz - I realise things are so difficult ... but pleased to know you've a job with lots of subbing ... all the best - Hilary

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  14. Replies
    1. This school year... Definitely one for the history books.

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