Good Day! I'm gathering info for a presentation. I'd like to list the top ten things that are attractive to subs, making them wish to return to a building for future work. For instance, I would list 1.) feeling respected 2.) administrative support 3.) sensible lesson plans etc. Please contribute freely. You might also list what you hate, that would cause you to cross a building off your list. Thanks! EK
I haven't subbed in years. I subbed for a few different schools, but liked/ preferred subbing at one over other. 1. Before auto calls & the like... I knew sub caller & she liked me. I would go in with my date book & get jobs as soon as they came in. I subbed while attending college so I think she liked that I had so flexibility with my schedule as well. I never had to do an auto or sign up ... So this seems so impersonal. Lol. 2. I liked the school, knew it, knew the teachers & got along with them. They would request me if my schedule allowed or even ask hey are you busy such & such date. Some would even go over their lessons with me if I was in the building. One even took me to a training with her. 3. Back in the day after x amount of days at a school your pay went up... So I tried to stay at one school. Thinking back is kind of silly because they were all in same county, but for whatever reason it was by individual schools. 4. I knew most of the students in the elem (small school) & I subbed reg, art, PE & computers, to title 1. Most really liked me & when they saw me would say are you in our class? I subbed at a different school only a few times ( remember I was scheduled out a lot) but didn't feel really welcomed & felt out of place. Maybe because I didn't know anyone. Hope this helps.
Respect is numero uno. When teachers compliment you/request you/INCLUDE you, it definitely is nice. OTOH, the places I refused, were places who did not respect the job. Firstly, realizing that it is a ___ existence with some small perks. One (in middle/high school) is the teacher prep periods. As a sub, I am always willing to fill-in in a pinch, when something arises. Or to help out (during that prep period). But most of the time, that prep period is free time for you--a perk. One school would consistently schedule you to fill-in another class, basically being a trained chimp. I found that to be disrespectful. To me, it was all about respect.
When I subbed, these were the important things to me: - feeling valued by teachers and admin - having good lesson plans, not just thing to babysit students, but those that made me feel that I was continuing what the teacher was doing - overall climate of the school. It didn't have to be with the best students, if there were a lot of behavior problems, that didn't necessarily deter me as long as there was support system, for example I could send a student to a neighboring class, or that I knew the teacher would follow up - it was also important if I knew I would be called a lot and would get a lot of sub jobs. What I mean is that I'm doing my best, I might have to put up with a lot of crap from students, etc, at least I want to have the chance to come back if I want, I don't want to be never offered a job again because subs are a dime a dozen. - I often booked jobs for upcoming weeks just by simply talking to neighboring teachers or during lunch in the teacher lounge. I liked that.
These are all good. I can use them. I too think respect is numero uno. Could I get some more responses please?
