Most of the school districts in the area, probably in the state, use a computerized scheduling system to fill substitute teacher jobs throughout the school year. The district I work for, however, still used a sub caller--a human being who manually called subs to get jobs filled. Until now.
We have now joined the modern era with a subfinder app. Finally.
Alas, because the system is new to us, there are a few kinks in the system.
School officially started on Thursday. The teachers started on Tuesday. They had professional development days. No students.
However, the continuation high school is on a different schedule. They have been in session since mid-July.
(Covering a couple classes at the continuation high school before school officially starts for the rest of the district is a good warm up for the school year.)
The prior Thursday, the school's secretary told me she had a teacher out on Monday, but no one had taken the gig yet. I told her the job wasn't showing for us subs. For some reason the job kept popping up as "no sub required".
The secretary worked the problem from her end. I kept an eye on the app on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It did not appear.
On Sunday, the secretary called me. She wondered why the job was still vacant. I told her it still wasn't in the system.
And then, the job popped up. Only, I had been assigned the job with no way to decline. (I had a rough weekend and had planned to not work. Although, once I accepted the job, I could cancel. But by that time I figured getting out of the house might be a good idea.)
On Monday, the problem was diagnosed. Because the other schools didn't need subs, the system wouldn't let the one open school request any.
(The secretary had to call the district and get things fixed as she had another teacher out on Tuesday, and the job wouldn't post.)
Problem fixed, I was able to catch the assignment when the teacher I covered on Monday requested another day out.
It's always something, isn't it? School has barely started, and I've already had three different issues with the new (to us) app. Well, not me, per se. Let's just say I'm kind of enjoying watching the teachers figure out how this whole thing works.
I hope there will be a way to decline the jobs, or change your mind it something comes up. Schools open early and early in August it seems. It was always after Labor Day when I was in school.
ReplyDeleteIt was always after Labor Day when I was in school, too. I'm still not sure if I like starting this early, but I'll just have to adjust. There is a "cancel" button on the jobs, so if something happens, I can opt out.
DeleteFirst, I would be ill if I already had to be back in school. Thankfully, here it is still after Labour Day. I have no idea what you are talking about...hahahaa. typical me. I am guessing it's all automated now.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind the end of the school year was June 2nd. We were out two months. (Well, not me as I had that summer school class, but still...)
DeleteAlways bugs with a new system.
ReplyDeleteWow, your schools start early. It's still summer!
I know. It's a recent thing. We've only been on this schedule for two years. (We were set to start the school year earlier, and then Covid hit...)
DeleteThis year, our school year (for students) starts September 8 and ends June 23, 2023. When I grew up in New York City, school always started the Monday after Labor Day and ended the end of June. But, in other parts of the country I lived in, school usually began in mid-August.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like the schedule I grew up with. I graduated on June 19th. But our area has decided to adjust to the earlier schedule now. It's been a process that they've been working on for a few years now.
DeleteThere are always glitches, for sure. Best wishes on a smoother future.
ReplyDeleteIt's slow, but it's still a new year. I'll give it a couple months before I worry.
DeleteI remember the sub caller phoning at 6 in the morning about openings. I loved the mornings the phone didn’t ring. My substituting time was short.
ReplyDelete