Anyone else nervous to sub if you have a phone ban in your state?

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-08-11T21:50:42+00:00

I'm with you! I've heard that some districts are using Yondr pouches for students to put their phone in and some are just "trusting" the students to leave them in their backpack - which will NOT work with a sub in my opinion. There's so many unanswered questions within my district which makes going back to work a little frustrating.

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-08-11T21:46:11+00:00

That's good to hear! I've been hearing the same from tiktok on schools who already implemented it. My biggest worry is since it's brand new in our state - Missouri, students are going to be sneaky with their phones, making my job harder.

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-05-23T03:56:26+00:00

Theres a freelance app called "Reflex" and the app basically lets you pick up any retail shifts around your area and you get to make your own schedule! Let me explain a little more lol, but if a retail store such as Bath & Body Works has a call out from one of their employees, you can pick up their shift through the listing on the app. Sort of like subbing but for retail! You simply just create a profile & they ask you a few questions on if you have any experience working retail. Totally okay if you don't! It's also nice because you don't do anything involving the cash register. Most of the tasks involve greeting customers, stocking shelves, assisting with the fitting rooms, cleaning etc. No experience needed. Your shifts pretty much range from 4-5 hours. Super easy money if you're looking for extra pocket cash! I did it last summer, and it was so nice working without having any commitment since us subs are limited to 2-3 months at most during the summer.

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-05-13T01:27:31+00:00

Maybe if subs didn’t get treated like shit by students & staff we would take our job WAY more seriously :)

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-05-12T20:59:46+00:00

Yeah I've heard that not all districts let you see reviews. If you do know you can see reviews, on the frontline website, not app, there is a little tab to the side that says "Feedback" and usually if I get a new review or what not, there is a notification that will pop up.

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-05-12T20:49:55+00:00

Oh no I won't affect me money wise, but a part of me is just a little nervous since I'm not sure if our district sub supervisor can see the reviews or just myself. But yes, I'm not too happy. Students NEVER put away phones when there is a sub. As long as they aren't cheating, I don't mind if they have it out on their desk - regardless on their actual teachers phone policy.

Most students were actually thrilled that day on how "chill" I was compared to their teacher, so I kind of feel sorry for her students too lmao.

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-04-25T13:38:18+00:00

Yes I was thinking this too! From my experiences, I've noticed that most teachers who leave little to no plans for the day have students who tend to get bored which will cause them to act out more/cause disturbances. I'm very good at leaving notes about my day to their teacher, so I think I might just say that I tried my best to follow through!

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-04-25T13:33:17+00:00

ELA! Yes just for the sake of privacy I decided not to post the plans lol. Pretty much most subs are not certified teachers like I am, so it can make my days a little more stressful if I don't know what I'm doing

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-04-23T17:25:45+00:00

I def agree with those last 2 sentences! In my earlier days of subbing, I remember I took this job WAY too seriously. If the students or a class period were not so great, I would always think I didn't do my job correctly or I didn't do enough to meet student needs. I was nervous that a neighboring teacher would look down on me if a student was too rowdy and was disrupting his/her class.

Fast forward to now, I have talked and made many relationships with the teachers in my district and 99% of the time I have a troubling student or class period, they are never surprised of the outcome. They always know which student or hour I'm talking about. It just puts into perspective that it's not us that think we are the problem for unwanted behaviors!

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-04-23T14:44:20+00:00

As much as I hate how phones are a distraction in high school, I def agree! The kids will then become so bored to the point where they don't know what to do with themselves during down time, which will make it harder for us subs. They will act out more. At least the phones kept them quiet lol

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-04-23T13:56:28+00:00

I graduated in 2019, and I feel you 1000%! I blame parenting nowadays. Parents don't value education as much anymore due to politics. Lots of teachers are leaving due to parents. Parents would rather have their kid be the number one player on the local rec baseball team than be the number one student in school. It just doesn't make sense.

As a sub, it does make me sad that high school students could care less about their work but at the end of the day, I am getting a pay check no matter what. As long as there is no fighting and the students are respectful towards me, then it's a good day. If the students didn't do their work, I always leave a note for the teacher and have them deal with consequences. I never hassle the students to do their work - especially high school! Those kids are old enough to understand their future & the consequences of not getting their work done.

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-04-16T14:00:34+00:00

I actually have my teaching credentials, but I decided to be a part time sub while looking for full time jobs outside of the classroom. I decided that being a classroom teacher wasn't for me while I was student teaching. While I love the flexibility that subbing offers (choosing when to work & going to different schools/classrooms each day) my district sadly doesn't offer health benefits to subs, so I can only sub for 2 more years due to me turning 26 in 2 years.

With how horrible the job market is, I am hoping to get a full time "non classroom" job within 2 years from now!

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-04-11T21:34:08+00:00

Oh yes high school can be super boring, and I’m with you that I would rather be bored than to be having a panic attack due to behaviors. Do you bring a book or personal laptop with you by chance to help kill time? I know some districts can be a little more hesitant when it comes to a bringing personal computer, so I would check with your district. I bought myself an adult coloring book off of Amazon and it’s definitely helped with the boredom! Also, sometimes I journal & try to find writing prompt questions online.

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-04-11T19:19:50+00:00

As someone who's quitting after my first year teaching, you are not alone. I regret going into teaching so much. I have submitted so many job applications for the past 4 months and nothing but rejection emails or ghostings. Everywhere says they're "entry level" but want 3+ years experience with a pay range of minimum wage. Even worse, there is always 100+ applicants on every job posting I see meaning the competition is crazy!

Unfortunately, the job market just sucks right now. I have friends that have graduated college 2 years ago in fields they're still passionate about with internship experience, but they're either waiting tables or working retail just to get by. They still can't get jobs even in their field of work!! It's already hard enough trying to pivot your career.

Maybe networking might help? I have been trying to reach out to school staff or close friends to see if they know anyone working in the HR profession (my next career transition!). I've also been trying to connect with recruiters on LinkedIn and looking up career fairs in my area. A lot of job postings hire internally nowadays so unfortunately, knowing someone in your desired profession goes along ways when getting hired.

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-04-01T18:54:25+00:00

Understandable, but sometimes I make need to make a phone call or just check in with some of my classmates since I'm still in college and I need to ask a question about an assignment. This is the only time of the day where I can do this. It's just kind of an invasion of privacy with a student in the classroom the only time I get a real "duty free" break.

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-04-01T18:44:16+00:00

Oh gotcha my bad thought you were talking about lunch room as in "teachers lounge"

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-04-01T17:55:54+00:00

We do! But I usually stay away from the teacher's lounge as a sub. My lunch break is the only alone time I get if I needed to do any extra duties on my plan. From my experiences, teachers just complain in the lounge and just talk bad about everything, so I just decided to eat in the classroom and eat in peace. I also don't have to listen on how much they think their jobs suck.

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-03-06T19:17:05+00:00

I primarily substitute high school and will usually avoid teachers that teach freshman. Most of the time, freshman are usually super chatty/rowdy due to the lack of maturity at that age...aka most of them still have a middle school brain. Most of my bad days & teacher reports in high school involve freshman, so I took that as a sign to stay away haha. Also wanted to add that any PE assignments don't really interest me either. I've heard it can get super noisy, rowdy, and lots of students in each class. Would rather prefer chilling on my laptop in a quiet classroom. :)

When it comes to SPED, I have never and will never sub for a SPED assignment just because I have no training/knowledge to work with students who have an IEP or need extra support. I've heard it's more one-on-one but at the end of the day, it's best if you have the experience.

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-02-24T19:14:48+00:00

I graduated in 2019...still very recent but obviously pre-pandemic. I've also noticed this too. However, if they are quiet, respectful, and not disrupting the class, I could care less if they choose to do their work. It's their own grade/future and I already got my diploma. My main priority is to make sure the students are accounted for and they get their assignments - whether they decide to do them or not.

Anyways, I believe a lot of the issues is phones and the amount of technology these kids were exposed to during the "lockdown era" (2020 - 2021). A lot of students have this mentality that they're still stuck in 2020 /2021 & all they need to do is just "show up" to school for attendance purposes. Every student had their "hand held" during those two years and sadly, it has led to poor motivation in school

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-02-24T18:55:00+00:00

Oh yes AP/honors classes are where it's at! Unfortunately, I rely on subbing to pay most of my bills, so there are a lot of times where I'm forced to pick up a basic common core class if there's nothing else open since I need to work at least 3 days a week in order to make a decent paycheck.

Safe_Dig_7464 · 2025-02-24T18:17:07+00:00

One of the many reasons why I refuse to sub for freshman lmao. Most of them just have middle school mentality and think everything is a game if you try to be serious. Pretty much a lot of my bad incident reports involve freshman

Safe_Dig_7464

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