To All the New Teachers

I read many blogs every day. Mostly blogs that teachers write and substitute teachers write. I store away new ideas that I like, everything from bulletin board ideas, to great read-a-louds, to basically just knowing how to survive.

John Spencer who has a website and a blog recently posted this. Although I may not be a teacher with a regular classroom, I still needed to read his letter. It made me feel better...

Click here if you are a new teacher.

A New, and Active, Experience

Yesterday I was called in to sub for a PE class. Of course my first thought was, Yippee! I get to wear sweats, sneakers, hair in a pony tail and minimal makeup! But then I realized that since this was a late night call that maybe the teacher was calling in sick and I wouldn't have any plans as to what I was to do with these students. I quickly researched on-line PE activities and printed out a bunch of ideas, which I placed in my sub bag. I also brought a whistle (amazing the power you feel just by wearing a whistle). However, when I got to the school, the teacher had left me some great plans on what to do with each grade and.... he told me what his quiet signal was to get students to stop!

I quickly set up the gym for the first class, a group of fifth graders. When they walked in I prepared myself for the whispers of, "yippee! It's a sub" but was surprised at how many groans there were instead. As the day went on I realized how much love a PE teacher receives from their students. Of course they do, because a PE teacher, at least in the elementary years, is all about fun and games! Anyway, all went well with the first class, we had fun, they stopped and listened when I gave out the quiet signal, we talked in the end about how much more fun a game is when everyone follows the rules, etc...

But, it was the afternoon classes that brought a little more excitement to my day. By the time the second graders came in, I was exhausted! I had been working out with each class up to this point, running, doing jumping jacks, sit-ups, playing the games, etc and I was realizing that my 44 year old body needed a rest too! But, now all my little ones were arriving for afternoon classes and they are the ones you need to work out with because they need more instruction. So, I bucked up and moved, although a bit slower.

The afternoon classes also brought some trips to the nurse. In the second grade class, it was right after lunch so one boy promptly threw up after jogging his first lap (it was obviously mac-n-cheese day), so the janitor was called in, the boy sent to the nurse, and we resumed play. The next class were first graders and one girl had a terrible headache. I sent her to the nurse and she quickly returned with a note from the nurse that said the girl thought her head was hurting because I had the music on too loud. I forgot that these kids aren't as deaf as I am, so I turned down the music. The last class was kindys and two little boys rammed right into each other during our exciting game of "Fire in the Forest" Both were in tears and one had a bloody nose. There is nothing more exciting to kindys than seeing lots of blood coming out of someones nose!

By the end of the day, I couldn't move! So, my advice is if you ever sub for a PE teacher don't feel you have to play with them the entire time! Working out from 9-3 is hard work and it's OK to instruct from the sidelines once you get them started. I think it's important for them to see you setting the example, but you don't need to do it the entire period. Oh, and I never did have to use that whistle! Mostly because I had the music going and when I stopped the music, they knew to look at me and freeze. Using music is much better than blowing a whistle or trying to yell over the commotion in a gym.

One Month Down

I realized yesterday as I was enjoying my planning time, that I have been subbing for a month now. All those fears in the beginning seem to have disappeared. I've become much more comfortable walking into a classroom and knowing how to set myself up for the day.

I've learned that the first thing I do, after turning on the lights, is to turn on all the computers. I then look for the teacher's lesson plans, which I only read up to the lunch or specialist time. I feel I get overwhelmed if I read everything immediately, breaking it up helps. Plus, when I have my planning time, we all know that subs aren't really needing that time to plan future lessons. I use the time to read about the next lessons that are coming up in the afternnon, grab a quick snack, use the restroom, and check to see if I've been requested for another job somewhere.

If a teacher hasn't given me an idea of their classroom management, I reach into my sub bag and grab a giant sticker or a small sticky dinosaur toy that I purchase in bulk from Oriental Trading, and place it on the front board. I tell the students that this will be given to the "Star _____" (place the school mascot in the box. Star Bulldog, Star Hawk, etc..) and proceed to explain my expectations for the day. Throughout the day I remind them of this star award and it always gets them back on track.

I also take pictures of things I like in the classroom, how things are set up, an attractive bulletin board, etc.. and I print it out at home and place in a book of ideas I want to use once I have my own classroom.

But what hit me the most yesterday when I realized I was one month in, is that I have regular work within the two districts but only in 4-5 schools. This is a great thing! I've come to know the students names, I know the teachers style, and the teacher isn't having to leave me as detailed plans or leave her books out because I know what to do and where to find it. I also keep all past plans that the teacher has left me in a binder that I carry everyday. I can refer to things I may have forgotten or even my notes that I have written about a certain lesson or a certain student.

Yep, one month down, eight more to go and I am feeling confident.

The First Job is the Virginal Job

This is what I say to myself when I leave the school parking lot after subbing in a particular class for the first time. It's always emotional for me... I leave reflecting on whether I was a babysitter or if I actually taught something.

I like to think that these emotions are quite normal. When I walk into the classroom, the first thing I always look for in the teacher's plans, is the management piece. I need to know what signal is used to get the students attention, if there is a system for misbehavior, good behavior, etc.. If I know what the teacher does, then I can do that too and then be able to teach. If I don't know any of this, then I have to fumble through what works or doesn't work and then I end up feeling like I was more of a babysitter because I spent so much time dealing with classroom management. Last week was like that...

They were first graders. They weren't terrible, just loud. They interrupted, they talked when I talked, they argued amongst each other, etc... I truly felt that I was struggling just to get through the day and felt that if I just knew the teachers system, things would have gone much better. Toward the end of the day, I had to open my "sub bag"

I quickly looked through it at all the things (bribes) I had. Books they could look at once done with an assignment, candy (many subs do this, I prefer not to), games, stickers, etc..  I decided on the stickers. They were 6 year olds! As I walked through the room I would stop and give an animal or dinosaur sticker to those that were quietly working. Soon, everyone was quiet!! I then announced that I had a very special sticker that would be given out to the one student I chose at the end of the day who was quiet, raised their hand, had a clean desk, etc...  I then placed this giant sticker up on the board so they had a visual reminder. At the end of the day, I chose the ONE student and everyone was OK with that.

So, as I drove home I thought... Ok, I babysat in the beginning but once we established classroom management rules and expectations I was actually able to teach! The next time I sub in that class, I won't have to figure it all out, I'll know what to do and who they are and they in turn will know who I am and what my expectations are.

Note to all you teachers: PLEASE include your classroom management piece in your lesson plans. We can't teach unless we know what the expectations are for your students because as a sub, I want to teach, not babysit.

Special Ed, Resource room and Kindy's...Oh MY!

This was what my week was like:
Subbed 4th grade for half a day for my mentor teacher. It was very easy to me since I knew her routine, her rules, her expectations. The students attempted to snowball me once, but when I used a term I knew my master teacher uses, they KNEW they couldn't get-a-way with nothin'!

Subbed full day for a Lifeskills class. This I was nervous about since I have no special ed credentials. Fortunately for me, the teacher left great lesson plans and I had two paras in there. I had one tough student who we ended up having to call the parent, only to find that he hadn't been on his meds for two days. This made me feel better, since I was feeling terrible that I didn't know how to control his behaivior. I even got desperate and offered candy! In the end I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed teaching them and at how responsive they were to me.

Subbed a full day in the resource room for students who I pulled out of class to work on writing and reading. The morning was with one student at a time and who all had autism. This was challenging but I was able to get them to look at the book and sometimes say a word with me.
In the afternoon I had small groups. I did, however, make one major faux pa: When entering the classroom, I announced that I was subbing for Mrs. - - -  and that I was here for - - -. When I collected the student and we were in the hall, the student was clearly upset with me. When I asked why, the student commented that the class makes fun knowing that this student is being asked to leave for help with reading. I felt terrible that I hadn't been more sensitive. For the remainder of the day, I did not announce who I was in for, just collected the student.
Again, I was shocked at how much I enjoyed subbing for the resource room.

My week ended with subbing for an all day kindergarten class. I loved it!!! Kindy's are definitely my area. I like the quick pace of moving quickly from one subject to another (they don't have  along attention span you know!) and I love to sing songs and dance around and color!! They were all really good, even the three that I was warned about. At the end of the day, I rewarded all of them by placing a glitter star sticker on their hand, saying that they were all shining stars that day.
It's amazing to me how this age, all in the world is perfect when you have a sticker on your hand.

But, I will admit, that when I walked into each classroom, each day the same thoughts went through my head, "What am I doing? What have I gotten myself into? How can I possible teach like this teacher?" Yet, once I sat with the assigned, and perfectly organized, lesson plans, and once those students have entered the room, the day has run quite smoothly. I am amazed that I love this subbing thing!

Rest Among the Trees Wangari

Yesterday, someone who I have never met but has impacted my life, passed away. Wangari Maathai, who wrote "Trees of Peace" was someone I constantly used as an example to many children. I have read this children's picture book to my own children, my Girl Scout girls, and the 4th grade class I interned in last year. Every time I read the book, my eyes tear up because I am amazed how one woman could change a village, a country, a continent, the world.

When I had heard on NPR about her passing, I immediately emailed my troop telling them about it. I had one little gal email me back, asking if we could use some of our cookie money to purchase and plant a tree... somewhere. It made me feel good that this little gal understood!

Today, I was the sub for the school I had interned in and in the class there were some of my old students from the year before. One of the boys saw me and exclaimed, "Mrs. White! Remember that book you read to us about the lady with the trees and then how we planted seeds in cups? Well, she died! My mom told me! Ain't that sad? She was a good person, wasn't she Mrs. White?"
This was maybe not the same reaction as my scout girl had, but I was happy that this boy remembered her and the work that she did.

Click here: for a previous post I had made last year about Wangari's book.


Click here: for the NPR article:

Sub Bag

So, I have created a "sub bag". This bag holds things that I hope I never have to use but am prepared to use. It basically is a bag that is filled with items I can use in the classroom, in case the teacher who is out, does not leave me any plans.

I actually have 3 bags. One is for K-1, one for 2-3, and the last for 4-5. In each bag is at least 2 books that I could read to the class. Books that have been my favorites for years and ones that I could easily attach a writing lesson to. I have games, like Soduko, and a few other math related games. I have lots of classroom management ideas that are printed out, laminated and stuffed in each bag. Such things as writing a riddle on the board for them to figure out, a paper airplane competition where they get to fly their airplane across the room if the day ends on a high note. I have even thought of telling the kids I would show them a magic trick and how to do it at the end of the day if they behave. Will I ever use all these bells and whistles? Who knows! But I keep reading blogs and talking with fellow substitute teachers about the horrors of being a sub. I just want to be prepared.

Oh, and I also have a whistle (just in case things get REALLY out of hand), some snacks for me (for when I'm not able to make it to the lunchroom because I am frantically trying to figure out what to teach in the next half of the day), Tylenol (for that headache), cough drops (for all the talking or voice raising I need to do), water, a notebook to make notes about what I like in the teacher's room to use in the future for my own classroom, and my business cards.

I'll keep you updated on if I ever need to use the sub bag!

Technology!

I had to post this. Saw this cute YouTube video on the ABC Nightly News with Dianne Sawyer. It's an elderly couple trying to figure out their new computer. All they want to do is take a picture of themselves, but instead it was recording, unbeknownst to them!

Getting Organized

So, as I sit and wait for the phone to ring and read blogs, I begin to think about how to get my name out on the "teacher preferred" sub lists. Who knew that marketing myself for a sub job would be so intense. With the economy and more and more teachers getting laid off, the sub lists continue to grow. In one district I was lucky to get on because I know a lot of teachers that my own children had. The other district I am on because I interned in their district. Lucky stuff since both districts have a waiting list of over 200 teachers just for the sub list!

Now I need to market myself. It began with sending casual emails to my own children's teachers and to the teachers I met at the school I interned for. Just a "quick note to inform you I am on the district sub list. Plus, please keep me in mind if you need an extra hand in your classroom. I am more than happy to volunteer! Hope your year is off to a great start!" is what they all began as.

Now I have made business cards to hand out when I visit. A bright colored design with all my contact info so that they can contact me anytime of day! I also had magnets (of my business card) and stationary made! My thought process is that when I leave, I'll stick a magnet on their file cabinet and leave them a personal "thank-you" note.

Again I sit and wait!

Feeling Like a Teenager Again....

I haven't written since March when I was an intern for a 4th grade class. I made it through that and am now looking for a job????

Actually, no. I had made the decision last spring that I needed to re-group myself and my family. Having gone back to college in my 40s and taking on an overload of classes for a little under 5 years, I was burnt! I needed a tiny break. This plus my own children were making huge leaps in their own schooling (one entering middle school and the other mid-high) that I was feeling I wanted to be available to them. So... subbing sounded like a great option for me. Not to mention there are no jobs to apply to!

But now I feel like a teenager.. waiting for the phone to ring.. do they want me today.. will it ring today with a sub job? I'm torn about this. Part of me feels that I am not doing a great job keeping up my new teacher skills that I paid so much for. Yet, at the same time, I am enjoying the quiet house and my family is enjoying homemade meals that have made a comeback.

So, I sit and wait and wonder while I read blogs from teachers and smell the pie I have cooking in the oven.