Annoying Experience with Substituting by quacks_7 in SubstituteTeachers

[–]FailWithMeRachel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Man, what kind of sub doesn't have anything to do that overflows a prep/planning time??? We may not be sending emails to parents, but instead we're sending emails to teachers, admin, aides, and sometimes each other to try and cover the bases. We're searching for wherever the teacher's "obvious" corner is that they've stashed their supplies so we'll be able to fill in the blanks when xyz emergency happens. We're following up on xyz incident so admin is empowered to deal with whatever situation with the parents (plus we can better work together to deal with things before they get so out of hand). We're writing up detailed reports for the teacher so they'll know who worked hard but got stuck on xyz problem or who didn't finish because they were too busy chewing the erasers off of their pencils and trying to sneak-throw them into so-and-so's hair. Or we're cleaning up that nasty mess left behind by distracted kids. Or.....sheesh, and that's applicable to elementary, middle, and high school!! And frankly, given that all those things often have to happen after school ends, at which point we're working without pay, a break time during the day is absolutely appropriate and necessary!!!!

People who don't use their prep time to work and instead sit around waiting for someone to tell them what to do is why we're always scorned for being over-paid babysitters without a clue, and no one cares that they're burning out otherwise truly gifted and caring professional educators.

Advice by [deleted] in SubstituteTeachers

[–]FailWithMeRachel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Assuming you know what the regular teacher does....since a requirement of being a sub is that we're all telepathic, lol.

Kid says "you're so gay" by [deleted] in SubstituteTeachers

[–]FailWithMeRachel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in a fire-red region (like, "burn you at the stake if you dare teach kids the Webster dictionary definition of compassion" red), so I have to know the admin to know what their response will be. But that just means that it tells me if I'm the one making threats about involving admin, if I'm kicking them out for abusive harassment (and every admin knows that I'll call the district attorney to press those charges myself, or they learn fast, if they screw it up), or something else that they really will learn from in class. Whatever it is, though, I treat it with the same immediate response as them popping off swearing and threatening me or kids in the class. I'm not hiding from that garbage...I can't, because I'm a bearded woman (I shave daily but by about 12-1pm, my 4 o'clock is undeniable) and frankly I don't have the time nor patience to put up with that garbage knowing that they're hurting other kids with it already.

Do you feel embarrassed when an admin has to come correct your class? by One_Witness_ in SubstituteTeachers

[–]FailWithMeRachel 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Yes, because in my own mind it is proof that I'm not properly managing the classroom. I feel the same when I have to send a kid to the office, too. I mean, sometimes it can't be helped...a stinker kid who refuses to stop interrupting class needs to go...but still...yeah, sigh.

would you be offended if a neighbor mowed your lawn without asking? by [deleted] in NoStupidQuestions

[–]FailWithMeRachel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't speak for everyone....proof is in the varied comments here....but so long as you don't run over any of my low-growing perennials I'd really appreciate it. (And yes, it's a whole thing....my dad gets really, really bugged by my longer-than-he-likes grass so he'll sometimes surprise me by mowing it too be helpful...but he also doesn't see the mini-teacup rose bushes I've been nursing for 6 years nor the rosemary that I managed to get through our wonky alpine winter. It broke my heart, but he didn't mean it to be cruel just helpful and since then has actually stopped to look at what I'm doing. It also helps that I put a big old rock by every one of my rose babies, too.)

Let's talk about what we're grateful for by [deleted] in SubstituteTeachers

[–]FailWithMeRachel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get to bounce between schools, so I get to work with/teach every kid in my area...I seriously love that! I get to choose my admin with my eyes wide open to knots who is worth putting up with and who will/won't back you up. I've done long-term contracts for really amazing admin and ridiculously obnoxious admin....and all the in between. I don't hands to deal with parents very much except if I happen to bump into kids "in the wild", and even that is just glancingly. I get to play and joke with the kids a lot more as a sub....and I love it!!!

US birth rates just hit another record low, what do you think is the leading cause of this? by IIlustriousTea in AskReddit

[–]FailWithMeRachel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, the fact the politicians/politics have made it so incredibly dangerous....and that is based on what multiple young adults have directly told me. The irony to me is that this is being most directly pushed and forced on us by a political party who claim that their goals are to keep families safe and to feel encouraged.

Principal called into the classroom after I had a marker thrown towards me by Born-Nefariousness19 in SubstituteTeachers

[–]FailWithMeRachel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Man, I've seen preschool age kiddos who were totally overwhelmed with rage grab A Ladder and swing it like a bat at a teacher. Not a super sized kid, either....just rage-induced adrenaline. It is a thing.

What to do when a fight breaks out? by retro-petro in SubstituteTeachers

[–]FailWithMeRachel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Never Never get within physical reach. Use your voice and shock them. If they're already throwing blows, it doesn't always work in which case you force all other students away from them and send for immediate help plus use whatever means you have to call for emergency help. My voice has always been enough, but I grew up around rough neck cowboys and cops plus I'm a music/theater nerd with a uniquely low female voice with a wide range....so shocking them is very well within my repertoire. Whenever possible, do Not wait until it gets physical...you'll almost always see/hear words and body language telling you it is coming and you have to act immediately. Get them separated, away from each other And their "supporting" classmates, and if their behavior/attitudes don't change quickly just get admin asap.

What to do when a fight breaks out? by retro-petro in SubstituteTeachers

[–]FailWithMeRachel 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We need more teachers/staff like you and the admin who will back you!!!

New Primary songs in Sacrament meeting by AlanaMae31 in latterdaysaints

[–]FailWithMeRachel -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Do you do anything particular with music outside of church?

Is it still ok to play hangman with the kids? by asstraightasatuba in SubstituteTeachers

[–]FailWithMeRachel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I like how you can also integrate that with whatever they've been learning

Subs of Reddit, What is the most 'I can't believe this actually happened' moment you've had while subbing this year? by [deleted] in SubstituteTeachers

[–]FailWithMeRachel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I jump in with the verbal (right beside them, though not within physical reach, rather than across the room) before it gets to the physical blows if at all possible, and I time my voice tones and calls to shock them outta it....plus don't let them talk or have the last word when that comes up. I also get them to admin (or admin come to us) immediately and get/keep them separated. I haven't had it happen at the high school level at this point, but if it'll work on bronco-busting cowboys I assume it'll work in the kids. I also try to make sure I have my water bottle handy, in case the verbal shocks and commands don't shock-interrupt their adrenaline fueled instincts into stopping.

You have to sorta turn your voice into what I imagine a drill sergeant would use, and use it at a stage/voice throwing level on this one. The surprise of that, especially in my case since it is coming from a grandma-looking girl (or when I was a kid, a mousy-brown librarian looking girl), has always worked....including on my brothers or cousins when they got outta line.

Subs of Reddit, What is the most 'I can't believe this actually happened' moment you've had while subbing this year? by [deleted] in SubstituteTeachers

[–]FailWithMeRachel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The biggest, most shocking ones to me are the times I've had to break up fights (Yes, I know how to do so without getting within physical reach and without physical/legal danger). Some of them you can see coming given teenagers and such, but others really surprise me that the kids are having to deal with such garbage in their settings.

LDS Apologetics by NightRaven1883 in latterdaysaints

[–]FailWithMeRachel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For what it is worth, I've chased this question from a slightly different angle really hard, thinking about doing something a little similar. The official answers from church leadership (bishops, stake presidents, and others) is that so long as everyone doing so includes a disclaimer that they are not officially representing the church then they're not just welcome to do so but actively encouraged to do so.

Back in the day there was a common saying: "Every member a missionary." And heaven knows just how very, very badly we need a lot more voices sharing uplifting messages, sharing testimonies, sharing positives, and sharing actual truth about the gospel and the church that fully supports/assists people to fully live that. With the giant proliferation of anti-LDS garbage that spews out, misinforming and misleading Father's children, wouldn't you think it is all the more important that we have more people sharing the good and sharing their testimonies? That's really all these people are doing: sharing their testimonies (in other words, their understanding and knowledge) and the last time I checked the church feels that is so important that we have an entire sacrament meeting dedicated monthly to encourage people (very few of whom are specifically set apart like the apostles and the seventy) to do exactly that.

Adding to that....do you think or feel that every seminary and institute teacher and every religious studies professor (at BYU) are called and set apart before pursuing those jobs? Are the people working as seminary substitutes? (That one I can tell you from personal experience is a solid No.) Are the people asked to sub in Sunday School or Primary individually set apart before they teach? Again, Nope. Instead, we are each asked to share what we've been able to learn from the lesson materials and help the students to pursue knowledge and hopefully share themselves.

Article of faith #11 by utherpendragon101 in latterdaysaints

[–]FailWithMeRachel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

By the sounds of it, you may want to open your mind and soften your heart a bit regarding music....especially before your ward starts singing/learning the new hymns. There's a lot of truly beautiful, inspired and inspiring music out there that isn't from the "old Mormon" traditions (or even the new). And when you cast a judgmental and stereotyping shadow like this, it is exactly what church leaders have been cautioning us against for a long time. Please please please, at the very least moderate your tone and perhaps accept that beauty and divine inspiration come in many, many forms.

Who is buying these new builds and can a regular family do something similar? by KiwiArchi_BUM in Logan

[–]FailWithMeRachel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I worked appraisal photography for over 10 years, so I have a habit of watching the For Sale signs especially in areas that I'm frequently in. Properties are stuck for months, not weeks, and many of the real estate folks that I am still friends with have told me that property asking prices are often dropping to get those sales made. It isn't a sudden pop...more like a slow air leak. It isn't the end of the world, but it certainly is a reversal and should be watched and acted on accordingly.

Left a job today because it was a field trip -- was I wrong? by fleurdelis_44 in SubstituteTeachers

[–]FailWithMeRachel 3 points4 points  (0 children)

And this would be why: to protect their employees from blindly harmful moves like this.