My sixth grade son came home the other day telling me that his class made the subsitute miserable. They were loud, at times disrespectful, and made him angry. My son was girding his loins for the fall out the next day and fully expected his teacher to blast the class for their behavior. However, she didn't mention anything.
I wonder if the subsitute chose not mention his experience or down played it. I've seen it happen where a sub struggle with the class but did not tell the regular teacher for fear s/he would be seen as ineffective and not be called back. Not telling is not the way to go. For one thing, neighboring classroom teachers notice and trust me, the real story will out itself.
I had felt torn like this when I started subbing as well. On one hand, I didn't want to be seen as a whiner or poor teacher. On the other hand, the primary teacher needed to know so the kids would be reprimanded and recognize they would not get away with disrespectul behavior.
I compromise by being as factual as possible. I focus very hard on detailing positive behaviors as well as mention instances of disrespectful behavior. I have always been able to find redeeming qualities in kids in every classroom I taught in. Sometimes, the positive behavior came from the kids who collected negative points. My notes to the teacher can sometimes result in a book length novel I felt it worth my time.
Yeah, I always go with the facts. If the kids aren't held responsible for their behavior, then the next sub that comes in will have a worse time with them.
ReplyDeleteI've seen what happens after a reckoning. After getting blasted by their teacher, I'll get students who promise to "be good today". They know their teacher will hear about it if they weren't.