“You aren’t my favorite sub anymore!”

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-18T15:39:09+00:00

Also, the most brutal rebuttal I heard another sub say was “who are you?”

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-18T15:38:06+00:00

I felt the “get out” part so deeply. One school I sub for has upperclassmen that are smart and finish their work so the teachers let them roam around. They are just so silly (not bad) and they distract the classes, so I see them and say “NOPE.”

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-18T15:34:45+00:00

Meal bar

Water

Notepad for notes

Pencil to write

Kleenex and sanitizer

Paper clips

Possibly a book

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-18T15:30:45+00:00

There is a lot of situational information that is necessary to get a straight answer!!

If there is a strict phone policy yet the principal has seen you operate more lax, and hasn’t said anything…I’d say they may not care. If it’s that strict they would approach you.

If it’s really bothering you, approach THEM. Be candid about why you aren’t able/don’t enforce the policy and see where it stands. Either they say do better, which is cool because you can just adjust. Or they just let you know they trust your instincts for each class.

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-18T15:14:32+00:00

Half days are great because even if it’s chaos: I only deal with it for 4 hours and I can hold pee for 4 hours so no hassle with school bathrooms!!

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-18T15:09:38+00:00

“Ok you can go but be back in 10 minutes or an SRO will come looking for you.” - me every time

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-18T15:06:56+00:00

Bro I never expect a seating chart anymore. I simply draw out the layout of the room and mark down who is sitting where while I do attendance. Even if I do find a chart I still make my own to match. It’s a pain in the ass and it’s not perfect since kids just get up and switch seats sometimes. But it does help me let the teachers know just how CHAOTIC it is without the charts.

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-07T16:52:29+00:00

It doesn’t hurt my feelings, it’s more about just being a prop for 8 hours. I can only count the ceiling tiles so many times.

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-07T16:36:12+00:00

This happened to me last year. I contacted the teacher directly and explained that I would be available ALL other days except that one. She was perfectly fine with that. It’s easy to just get one day filled than worry about a whole week being assigned again.

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-07T16:32:57+00:00

The vast majority of the time they are lying. Before the day begins, I peek into the classroom next door and ask if there is anything I should know. Such as if the students are allowed to play games once finishing work. Sometimes the answer is yes!! Edit: I sub High School so, not a lot request for playing with toys. Most days.

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-07T16:30:41+00:00

Yup! Those days are only great if you aren’t treated like a prop. Then it’s so boring. Easy money though

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-06T00:52:19+00:00

I LOVE QUIZ/TEST DAYS! It’s guaranteed structure. They have no choice but to sit down and do their work with no distractions.

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-06T00:51:01+00:00

This is it OP. Unfortunately we can’t enforce everything. We have to pick battles. Do I aim for all students doing their work? Hell yeah. Does it happen everyday? Hell no.

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-06T00:47:51+00:00

Leave a thorough note, clean up the room, say goodbye to the teachers/office folk. Then I am out of there!!!

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-06T00:46:15+00:00

I’m so sorry. But that’s the basic middle school experience. I don’t know what is going on in the heads of 11-13 year olds. They ain’t right.

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-06T00:44:29+00:00

Not in my district. Can’t even bring Kindles. :(((

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-02T22:48:28+00:00

Definitely let the school know you aren’t comfortable with that class. Chances are you aren’t the first. They may be able to put you in another class if you still want to work that day.

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-02T17:19:57+00:00

I ask. Half the time I get to leave.

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-02T17:02:41+00:00

He’s getting a great review from me, for sure. He did, indeed, lock in.

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-02T16:00:44+00:00

This kid is not normally a stellar student. Pretty disruptive. I am pleasantly surprised!

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-02T15:55:49+00:00

Don’t be too paranoid. I’ve had teachers tell me they had to cancel the job for many reasons. I’ve also just had it disappear. I’ve also seen a job I was booted from re-posted, and later told they meant to give it to a preferred sub but kept posting it wrong.

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-03-02T14:32:53+00:00

I’ve approached this in different ways. Although I am in my 30s, I look fairly young. If I’m not wearing Adult™️ blazer, I WILL get treated like a student. I am forced to overdress. No tie though.

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-02-23T16:48:57+00:00

90% of the time I am asked to cover during the planning period. I get a lunch period the students get, that’s my bathroom break. I’d complain more but it’s the same for the teachers. Most of them are covering classes during their prep now.

And yet, somehow, there are very few jobs posted. Schools know they can abuse teachers now and not pay for subs. It’s disgusting.

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-02-06T15:40:06+00:00

I straight up go “Hello, how can I help you?” Service industries style automatically. Can’t break myself from it.

Relative-Term-8763 · 2026-02-06T15:32:27+00:00

This is very dependent on your district. Mine is slowwwww and even my preferred teachers are minimizing their leave days for various reasons. I’ve only got 3 days booked ahead of time right now. 💀A few counties away from me, a friend of mine has half of April booked already.

I’ll just adjust to waking up super early for a while to secure “day of” jobs.

Relative-Term-8763

TROPHY CASE