When a substitute teacher needs a day off, we just make ourselves unavailable that day. When we're doing day-to-day subbing, it's really easy to just turn down an assignment. (Of course, if we don't work, we don't get paid.)
But when we're on a long-term assignment...
Now, I've subbed for a sub before. I have covered a long-term sub who had to take a day off. But I have never before been the long-term sub in question.
Last week I posted about my dentist appointment to deal with my cracked tooth. I took that day off work. It was a good thing, as I was in the dentist's chair for three and a half hours.
And it had been something that was going to have to happen.
Substitutes have a limit as to how many days they can cover a class. Before, it had been 30 days (or 20 days in a special ed class). But this year of our pandemic, the state passed a law extending that time to 60 days (and then extended it again to 120 days for non-special ed classes). (This was one way of dealing with the substitute teacher and full time teacher shortage.)
When I started covering Ms. L's class, the sub caller and I counted. From the day I started to the last day of school: 61 days. (The class is special ed, so I'm still bound by the 60 day max rule.)
By taking a day off for the dentist, I can cover this class until the last day of school.
So, I made lesson plans. I told the instructional aides and the students I'd be out. I let the office know. I cleared it with the sub caller. I was good to go.
So, how did the class do with a sub for a sub?
I'll never know. They didn't cover me.
Yeah, you know that sub shortage? One of the other teachers on campus was out sick that day, too. The campus only got one sub.
Sigh.
Ah well. I did what I could. And it was only one day. (Everybody was very happy to see me the next day.)
Oh my, didn't know the sub shortage was that bad, but have seen it on the news quite frequently. So did they cancel class for the day?
ReplyDeleteCancel class? Ha ha ha ha ha. Nope. They combined my class with the class next door, making it all sorts of complicated for the sub who they did have. Sigh. They didn't need to make it that hard for her.
DeleteSigh …
ReplyDeleteOof. I'm sure the class is hoping you won't need to take another day off.
ReplyDeleteWhy is there a time limit? Doesn't that just mean that more people end up substituting for the same class? It seems like more continuity would be better.
ReplyDeleteContinuity would be better. But, an emergency credential means that I don't have the necessary training to teach a class. Ideally, the long term gigs would be covered by teachers with full (or provisional) credentials. They wouldn't have the time limit.
DeleteSo the instructional aide ran it all? Fun.
ReplyDeleteNo, the sub covered two classes at the same time. (My group joined the other class.)
DeleteCalifornia, right? Was a long term sub for the last 5 months. I was the 8th, or maybe longer. They were lost in all the confusion. Worked out well, I learned a whole lot.
ReplyDeleteYeah. It's not good when they just have a succession of subs. It would be better if they'd just hire someone to take the position, but that's not always possible.
DeleteOn the plus side, I hope, you’ve got a lesson plan available for another day.
ReplyDeleteA teacher's job is so challenging...We dont have any specific rules for substitutes I suppose here... or may be they have - as my daughter just started school I dont know. Am sure pandemic teaching would have been so challenging ! good day
ReplyDeleteDropping by from a to z "The Pensive"
It was interesting. That's the great thing about the blog, I wrote about how it was going at the time.
DeleteHi Liz - well you did what you were required to do - just so difficult for all ... but worse for the kids. Interesting to read - thank you - Hilary
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the students didn't mind too much ;-)
ReplyDeleteAll in all I am sad about the educational system. They should make the teacher job more attractive by paying decent wages for starters.
3.5 hours at the dentist's is no walk in the park. Hope you're pain free now?
Yeah, the worst is over. I'm not 100% healed, but that takes some time.
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