Week 4 - To Sub or not to Sub?

For the last week of discussion, I chose a post from the teacher.net Student Teacher Chatboard. The conversation ranged from 11/08/09 to 11/16/09.

The first posters concern centers around the effects of substitute teaching on obtaining a permanent position. Niki is going to finish her student teaching placement in December and will be graduating from her program. She was looking to substitute teach before seeking permanent employment as a teacher. She heard from a friend that subbing would make her less desirable to districts looking to hire a new teacher. She is looking to the other members of the Chatboard to confirm or deny this claim.

She points out in the post the positives of substitute teaching. It will give her a chance to improve her classroom management skills in a different, and possibly, less stressful environment than exists in your own personal classroom. She also sees it as an opportunity to learn more about many different schools so she knows where to seek future employment.

All posters were in consensus; substitute teaching is an excellent way to get started in the teaching profession. One posted commented that her student teaching provided strong examples of her teaching style during interviews for a permanent position. Most commented on how hard it is to find a position in this economy and that substitute teaching provided a foot in the door in many schools. They also said it was a great way to get to learn about the staff at particular schools as well as the climate of the school.

The best advice was to ask the Administrator’s board, but after searching through those postings, it does not appear that the original poster took this advice.

Responses to others' questions

My response to Niki was in line with the other posters. While most give advice from their own experience, I gave an anecdote from my sister, Alisa’s life. When she was completing her Master’s degree, as part of the changing major’s program at St. John’s, she wanted to get experience in a classroom. She became a substitute teacher and worked at many different schools around the local and surrounding districts. One school, which just happens to be the elementary school we both went to, loved her interactions with the students. When a classroom position opened after she completed her degree, she interviewed for it. The position was given to someone else, but the hiring board loved Alisa’s style and passion that they created a position to give her where she could gain more experience. She became the school’s second science teaching, teaching grades K-2.

I shared this success story with the board as well as putting in my own two cents. I advised Niki that substitute teaching was a good way to network with teaching and administrators in the area that will potentially hire her.

Useful information for your teaching in the future

This poster reconfirmed something an important lesson that we all must learn; be wary where you get your advice. Niki did not mention who the person was that told her subbing was a bad idea. It could have been anyone from someone in the education field or one with a completely counter culture. It was a great idea to ask an internet community such as teachers.net for validation on what she had heard.

Last Posting:

What you would tell others when joining a teacher listserv, discussion board or Blog?

I would tell others that these types of communication are vital to improving yourself as a teacher. Listservs, discussion boards, and blogs provide sounding boards for teachers. Teachers can ask for and give advice on every topic feasible. They also provide a national, or global, perspective on problems. Teachers can glean a great deal of new ideas to improve their teaching as well as their classroom management.

How the experience compare to your expectations?

Going into the project, I was unsure if I would have valid advice to give others. My only experience comes from my hours spent in observations and my semester spent student teaching. I did not think I could actively participate in discussion boards because I did not think I would have anything good to say. I found that there were many places where even someone with a limited point of view could add their two cents. It was also nice to see that there are many new teachers, and some older teachers, that still feel unsure about their strengths as teachers. It was comforting to read about others who faced the same problems that I did, and that I potentially will. This assignment showed me other places to reach out to should I have problems while teaching.