27 Kindergarteners vs 15 Kindergarteners

Just looking at the numbers, one would intuitively lean toward the 15 kids as an easier class.  Having finished a six week sub job with 27 and moving almost immediately to sub in a class of 15, I found they are about equal. 

The 27 kids are all well supported at home with caring and engaged parents.  Most had pre-school (not daycare) before coming into Kindergarten and know their alphabet.  The class of 15 is almost completely the opposite.  They are not supported at home or have both parents working long hours.  They may have had daycare but very few had pre-school.  They come into Kindergarten needing to learn how to sit in circle time. When I give out instructions to the 27 kids (like sit in a circle), I can expect them understand what I mean and figure out how to sit in a circle around the carpet.  I can make no such assumptions for the class of 15.  Yes.  They are from different schools, different neighborhoods, and pull from different socio-economic demographics.

I give credit to the principals and administrators who recognize the different needs of their constituency and structure the classes to offer the right support.

The Universe is trying to tell me something

I just finished my six weeks long term sub assignment at my school Friday. All the parents, teachers, and the principal thought I was doing great. In fact, the principal invited me to interview for a ½ time job opening working with a teacher I know there. In anticipation of my getting hired, he even scheduled me for a meeting with him before the interview was even set up. Somehow, I blew it in the interview and they ended up hiring someone else. I feel so humiliated. Everyone, including me, thought I would get the job. I couldn’t believe my six weeks of stellar work did not stack up against a 20 minute interview.

He was kind enough to give me a debrief and said I just lacked literacy skills/component and the other candidates were stronger. I admit I did think afterwards I didn’t talk too much about literacy which was the job title. Someone also mentioned points so I guess in Seattle, they strive to be objective by using points. At least, this experience gave me an insight that using buzzwords identifying one’s knowledge about best practices/school district practices can make a difference.

Someone told me the Universe is trying to tell me something and perhaps it is.  On the home front, my hubby is sick and I found out yesterday my dog has bone cancer which is fatal.  I'm taking the week off to lick my wounds.

Subbing - Single Sized Serving or 1/2 of a Pie

I'm midway through my 6 week long term sub assignment.  There is a WORLD of difference.  With my single sized serving one day assignments, I come in and leave at the end of the day after writing a little note to the teacher.

With my long term half pie assignment, I go home with homework in the evenings and on the weekends.  Class instruction is only 50% of the job.  The other half is devoted to parent/student issues and administration.  I'm starting a volunteer corp and boy that sucks up time.  Building relationships with parents is important but requires serious attention.  Administration (health forms, permission slips, scholastic, staff meetings, nominations) is a serious time vampire.  I am doing the work of a full time teacher but with half the pay and no benefits, or is it even less? 

On the other hand, I admit to great joy at being able to love my own group of kids.  Knowing their personalities and having a relationship with their parents is lovely.  I have a wall plastered with notes fromm my Kindergarteners.   ...I just wish I'm paid more.

You Should Let Them Pee in the Toilet

After carpet time, a kindergartener stood up and lo, there was a wet spot where he was sitting.  It was time to lead the kids to lunch and he was scared of going to the office.  I was able to persuade him to go by promising I'll be there.  So, I took the whole class to the cafeteria and settle them in.  By that time, he was already eating so I told him I would come back for him.  I warned the secretary and managed to grab a bite of my lunch before going back to pick him up.  He was in tears, "What took you so long?", he said breaking my heart.  He held my hand all the way scared of the office where the "bad" kids were sent.  Once there, he was so flustered he couldn't change his clothing without help.  We had to prop the bathroom door open and each time I wander out of his sight, he would cry.  By the time he was finished, lunch was over and I never ate more than that bite.

Later, I was able to drop the class off at the computer lab and excuse myself.  I met up with the custodian who said, "You should have had them pee in the toilet, not carpet!"

A Tale of Two Principals

...and two cultures.  I just subbed for 5 days in a quaint neighborhood school.  The principal is very strict with discipline.  Kids who misbehave get sent to line up at the gym during recess.  There they recite their sins to the principal or an admistrator and then sit out their break.  I see a line there every recess.  If a kid is extra recalcitrant, they get sent to the "blue" chairs in front of the office to await a one on one talk.  A kid asked me a good question I was not able to answer so I referred him to the principal.  He recoiled in horror because he associated her with the "blue" chair.  The kids are generally well behaved and very respectful at this school.

I taught at another school where some kids had a disagreement and asked me if I could release them to the principal because they trust him to be a just and compassionate arbitrator.  Kids in the playground K-5 would ask him to come play with them during recess.  He is a skilled jump rope holder.  The kids are generally well behaved and respectful in this school.

Most school cultures fall in between; however, these two extremes provoked much thought.  The disciplined school tempted me to be a lazier teacher as I can pass off disciplining kids to the system.  I was able to enjoy the few short breaks I have instead of addressing behavior issues during those times.  Tough tradeoffs.  Here's some other information.  The disciplined school has over 70% free and reduced lunch with significant minority population; they have trouble starting a PTA.  The school with the kid friendly principal has 9% on free and reduced lunch with a population of 80% caucasion students; they have a very active PTA and many parents who are educators themselves.  I wonder if the principals' styles would be effective if they traded schools.

Shawn Achor, Part 2: The Science of Happiness and Potential

This was an inspiring video.  I've been trying to bring this philosophy into my practice, espeically the meditation.  It is working...

The First Few Weeks of Stress

I'm Stressed. 

I'm stressed about taking time to apply for permanent jobs while subbing.  I'm stressed that I haven't taught all summer and what if my classroom management deteriorated? I'm nervous about entering the classroom to actually teach a full day class tomorrow. I'm stressed about stepping into the unknown again as a substitute.  I'm stressed about juggling my long term sub job with the start date of a year long contract job.  Never mind that I don't even have an interview for contract job yet but there is the possibility, don't you know. 

I have a long term sub job lined up late September through November so I actually SHOULD have less to stress.  So, I'm stressing about why I'm stressing so much.

Aaaaargh!  I didn't find a sub job last week so I spent the time brooding instead of enjoying the week.  Yoga, hot baths, and telling myself not to stress have very limited effects on mitigating the stress level.  I'm very curious now - what do other people do to combat stress and re-entry trepidations?  I would love to hear your comments.

Silver linings, cups half full, and other cliches

In the same week, I received another (the 37th, 38th one?  I lost count by now) rejection e-mail telling me I didn't get the job and a sub job request.  While my ego took another hit, it was also soothed by the teacher who requested me for to be her sub the third day of school. 

I feel differently this year.  While I made it a goal to be determinely upbeat and Pollyanna-ishly positive last year, I feel more naturally content with my situation this year.  When I received noticed I didn't get the job, I was dissapointed but I also feel a sense of strong relief.  I had a six week long term sub assignment lined up at a school I really love to work in, several teachers sent me nice notes welcoming me back into the sub fold, and I was dreading a bit about the non-existent classroom set up/planning time if I got hired a few days before school started.  I honestly feel like I would win either way.

Subbing is a nice gig, especially now that I've established myself with a few schools and some favorite teachers.  I love going into different classrooms and being able to teach all grade levels.  I enjoy the different styles of teaching and different ambiances at schools. Lastly, I enjoy having down time during the week when I need to do personal things.  I recognize I am VERY fortunate in that my husband is employed lucratively so I am not in financial need to work regularly.  Silver linings and cups half full are cliche, but it sure feels good when they are true.

It Pays to Check In - Finding Sub Jobs BEFORE School Starts

Just for grins, I checked in my subbing account a week before school start in Shoreline.  To my surprise, a very organized teacher submitted a sub job for a few weeks in after school begins!  I couldn't take the job 'cause the day didn't work for me; however, another job cropped up the next day. I guess it just proves the very early bird does get the worm.

How DOES one score a long term sub job?

I received a call a few week ago from a principal asking if I would be interested in a six week sub assignment.  YOU BETCHA was what I thought.  However, I managed to make it come out as a sedate "I sure would be interested". 

I think this is what happened.  When I subbed in his school last spring, he walked in unexpectedly to observe.  I was doing a readaloud of my report to the kids' teacher - something I do when I feel I need something really interesting to claim their attention and calm them down.   The kindergarteners were riveted despite the fact DEFCON 3 was going on inside me and I was in a cold sweat.  In other classes, I would try to have some fun with the kids and parents during pick up time.  Instead of asking the parent tp pick up their child, I would ask the kid which parent belonged to him/her.  The role reversal always bring smiles to all the parties.  I received some positive reviews from the parents and they let the principal know.

Nothing beats doing a good job in getting subbing referrals and opportunities.  Of course, it helps if the principal walks in at a good moment.  Sometimes I think we forget the power of parents as a substitute.  They get feedback from their kids and as I found out, it can make a difference.

Other colleagues I know who scored long term sub jobs succeeded because they impressed someone.  However, these are just my single person impression.  I would love to hear about other perspectives.

Veteran subbing, year 2

OK. So maybe the veteran piece is a bit of over reaching but technically it's true. How about sophomore subbing? Now that I'm known in some schools, can I sit back and wait for calls?

My guts tell me H*** NO! While I'd like to do nothing better than to hang out, read books, and get massages all day long, an Energizer Bunny Ancestor passed on the very annoying gene that is pushing me to do a little bit more.

1. Review business card and stationery design - I developed and taught a series Chinese Painting classes last year. Perhaps I should use a sample painting for my image to differentiate it from all those other cards with books or apple images. It would be a nice conversation point as well.

2. To let the teachers and schools know I'm still in the market, I should go to all the schools before they open (when they are killer busy) and drop off my card for the secretaries and teachers I've subbed for last year.

Any other ideas for sophomore subs? All contructive comments welcomed.

Other People's Ideas

I just read a blog by another substitute teacher in a similar situation as I - subbing while looking for a job in this dry, dry, dry job market. She chose to set her blog up under her name so that all she needed to do was to change the title of her blog as her situation changes.

AAAaaargh! What a great idea and why didn't I come across it earlier! Or, think of it myself? Sad and humbled, I'm borrowing her other ideas. More witty headlines, better descriptions, better quality writi - Ok. gotta stop. I can manage only so much.

Since I can't always look out, I'm asking for help. How can I make this blog better? All constructive commentes appreciated :)

How To Get Sub Jobs - 1st year

It's late August and time to dust off the old brain cells, gird the loins, and start drumming up business for the coming school year. What strategies did I use last year that worked (after I submitted my application of course)?

I. Prioritize what's important - I thought about where I wanted to work and where I could make it to work on time. After all, I won't make a good impression if I can't make it to a job site after dropping off my son at childcare. In my case, Shoreline School District and the north end of Seattle School District. I thought about what I want to do. I want to teach at elementary level and middle school, but not high school. I also prioritize what I want to teach. I like grade school and specialist jobs but I'm so surpremely intimidated by PE that I know I won't check that off on the subsitute interest sheet.

With all that, I was prepared to fill out the hours of paperwork at a sub orientation.

II. After getting a substitute number - That's right, it's not the millitary but you get a number by which the system will know you. When a teacher wants you, they will most likely request you by your sub number. In my case, I made some business cards and stationery that has my name, sub number, phone, and e-mail address. I dropped off my cards with the secretary in all the schools I want to work in. I would introduce myself and try to include something that would distinguish myself from other substitutes. I got several calls back this way. I keep the stationery to write notes after subbing in a classroom as another way to differentiate myself from other subs.

I also e-mailed all my friends, cohort, contacts, etc. who work in the schools I want to work in letting them know I'm available with my sub number. A few of them wrote notes to their colleagues at their school and brought me quite a few jobs that way as well.

Note: What didn't work - I made mini posters with my vital stats and business cards in an envelope and posted them in building cafeterias. I received no calls from this strategy nor did anyone I talked to who tried this method.

I'm curious about what worked and what didn't work for other fellow subs. Please comment.

Professional Development that leads to networking and networking that leads to professional development

Although I usually don't get paid to take professional development classes, I try to take some anyway. As a substitute, I can usually get in for free if there is room in the classes offered to certificated teachers. I don't think I ever had a problem finding space. After all, it helps me do a better job. Plus, what better way to network. In addtion to improving my skills, I meet other teachers who will eventually need substitutes. They get to know me and I get to know them. It is a great way to get jobs and put out my name.

As an education alumni of UW Bothell, I'm on a distribution list that sends me information on professional development opportunities and other information of note. I take advantage of that material.

I took a class about "Cool School Challenge" (program on reducing carbon footprint) in April. It was a Saturday but what the heck! I was inspired by that seminar to think about starting a program in my son's school. Eventually I ended up talking to the program director who then paid me to be on the team to write an elementary curriculum for this program!

Through the same distribution list, I found out about a class on "Energy Transfer" offered at Seattle Pacific University where they pay teachers and offer college credit to attend. The topic dovetails beautifully with the "Cool School Challenge" and my work with them so I jumped on it. It turns out the instructors at SPU heard about the CSC program and so I ended up talking about it in class. I was able to give the teachers there the late breaking news that an elementary curriculum was being written and should be available soon.

Everything connects.

Who knew that a saturday investment of training would lead to meeting so many good people, authoring credit on a growning program, and getting paid for all that!

In the beginning...

After getting my teaching credentials and joining the workforce as a substitute teacher, I thought about starting a blog many many times to share my thoughts and experiences. I would encounter situations where I wonder what other people thought or would do differently. I would often think too, what a great tip to pass on! But something was always coming up and I never got around to it. Suddenly, it is July and I had a year of substituting under my belt! Oh well, better late than never.

When I graduated last spring from UW Bothell, I was hopeful that despite the dour economy, I would be one of those exceptional graduates who would be hired in my dream job. Never mind that my dream job (1/2 time job share in a classroom, elementary grade, Shoreline School District)barely existed and that I had five billion competitors vying for each opportunity. Despite applying for every part time job in two school districts, my optimism was not rewarded. However, I was accepted into every substitute pool I applied for which did console me quite a bit.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only do I enjoy subbing, but that I am thriving in this environment. I love the flexibility in work time, I enjoy leaving at the end of the day and being DONE, I love working with and learning from so many different teachers, and I love meeting and knowing all the different kids at various schools.

I had so many wonderful, thoughtful, and just plain weird experiences this past year. I expect and anticipate more this coming year.