"Substitute Teachers"
by Vorfeed

When a teacher is unavailable, substitutes get called in, sometimes on very short notice. They often get teased and harassed by students. One might think that because of the spontaneous nature of the job, substitute teachers are subject to few rules and regulations. They're just there to babysit us, right? After all, even though we're about to enter college, where we can be trusted to handle ourselves properly if class is cancelled because of a teacher absence, we need a rented teacher to give us busy work and keep us "under control."

So just how much do these rented babysitters get paid? In 2000, substitute wages were raised to $32.50 per half-day and $65 per day, increased to $70 a day if babysitting long-term. Don't let subs trick you into thinking that they get paid poorly; at the $65 rate, for six hours a day, they get $10.83 an hour. While this may not be enough to live on, it certainly isn't as little as they'd like you to believe.

So just how do some subs know all about you at the beginning of class, even though you've never met them before? It's because teachers are required to provide substitutes with a list of "students with special problems" and strategies for "effective classroom management techniques." In other words, we're being looked down upon as drooling idiots who need constant supervision and "care."

The Substitute Information page has several guidelines for "Ethics." Substitutes are not allowed to discuss differences among various school districts; for example, if another school has open campus, and student morale there is high because of it, the substitute can't tell us that. If a substitute has an issue with school policy, administrative decisions, students, or parents, they must express their views in a confidential meeting with a principal or assistant superintendent. Subs aren't supposed to mention such issues to students, because, god forbid, we might actually hear that (gasp!) bad things(!) happen behind-the-scenes at our perfect school! Oh noes!!

Now we get to the part about "Responsibilities." The first paragraph says that substitutes must arrive 30 minutes before students. That's funny, because almost every sub I've had has to run to unlock the classroom door about 30 seconds before the tardy bell rings.

Other rules:

1) Put your name on the chalkboard. Take time to tell the class a little about yourself before beginning the day's activities. Be brief.
Translation: Stall so the students don't realize how much time is being wasted sitting in class doing busy work.

2) Write a daily schedule on the chalkboard. It helps the students anticipate what you expect of them. It also helps you maintain a regular classroom routine.
Translation: Stall some more.

3) Let the class know that you will follow the normal classroom routine as closely as possible. Do not discuss controversial issues with students.
Translation: Don't encourage thinking. Blind obedience is the law of the land around here.

4) Any unusual requests from parents or student are to be handled by the building principal.
Translation: If a student thinks for his/herself and speaks out, send him/her to the office for brainwashing counseling.

5) Ask the students questions: i.e. their names, classroom rules/procedures. The time spent getting oriented and becoming familiar with the class may make a difference later in the school day.
Translation: More stalling. They already know our names because of the list of "problem students" and (this is a confusing one!) seating charts.

6) State clearly your expectations, but expect the unexpected.
Translation: Even more stalling. Students are going to do what they want, regardless of the substitute's intentions.

7) Correct the day's work. Organize any student papers and label them clearly. Record grades, if indicated, in grade book.
No translation needed. This is fair enough.

8) Write a complete review of the day's activities. Be sure to indicate portions of the lesson plan which may not have been completed. Mention individual students who may have been particularly helpful; list any problems that may have arisen.
Translation: Reward brown-nosers, tattle on delinquents.

9) Leave the classroom in good order. Have students help in any housekeeping chores that would provide an orderly classroom upon the regular teacher's return.
Translation: Make the students clean up and/or fix everything that goes wrong. They aren't paid to be janitors, but since they're already the school's slaves, you can make them do anything.

10) As a substitute teacher, it is helpful to take an active interest in the students and their activities. The challenge is there - do your best!
Translation: Keep an eye on students who are "different" so you can report them if something goes wrong later.

In conclusion, if substitutes come off as jerks, it's probably because they are simply following the rules given to them. It's not their faults; they just want a job, and a lot of them are trying to get college credits so they can become full-fledged teachers. So, don't give them too hard a time. However, I do encourage you all to attempt to challenge the rules a little- ask a sub about his or her views on a controversial subject, no matter how small, and especially if it has relevance to what your class is studying at the time. Encourage free thinking and mature discussions within the classroom. In my experience, I've learned a lot more from those than any busy work I've ever been assigned. There is no rule prohibiting us from having such discussions. If the substitute refuses to discuss his or her views, continute the discussion with willing classmates, and eventually you will be unstoppable. Of course, if you really do have a lot of work to do, or the substitute is actually teaching you something, then don't interrupt the learning process. This technique is really only effective (and appropriate) when there's nothing else to do. Above all, show substitutes that you are respectful and that if they finally do start teaching full-time, they will have good experiences with their students.

Source
http://www.pfsd.com/Default.aspx?indx=0&pageid=199