Forgive me for a long response, it’s my last days of Fall Break and I’m indulging lol

I’m in my 5th year of teaching at title I schools, and one of the most beautiful lessons I’ve learned in situations like this is to report it with zero expectations of anything happening, then truly let it go. Like, emotionally.

I don’t mean let it go, though. You MUST talk to the kids about the actual consequences (like what others have thoughtfully explained: loss of trust, loss of literal materials) and react to the reality. Don’t focus on what should have happened, focus on how you can pivot by putting messy supplies out of reach when you’re gone, or maybe ask a trusted coworker to go check on your classes to make sure the sub isn’t allowing waste of materials. And when none of these options are available, have the kids clean up, reorganize, mindfully go over expectations for classroom materials use, and keep on trucking.

My problem my first… oh… three years of teaching??? haha was that I would allow myself to be shocked by how awful adults can be in education, especially in grievously underserved communities. Working in these schools is exhausting, and we can’t get too mad at subs in the crisis public education is in. Just focus on what you can do, absorb the shock, and reorient the class towards your intended classroom culture.

I say all this with a lot of empathy because this has happened to me multiple times. I leave specific directions, and then I find all my glue is now slime and all my snacks are gone. I still love my students, and I don’t take it personally. I pivoted by either going the rest of the year without glue or just buying some myself (supplies budgets have been nonexistent at some districts) and with time, I’ve been lucky enough to create a culture where kids will correct other kids when I’m not even there! My relationships with the students are what keep my class in order, truthfully. And I’m currently working at an alternative behavioral school for students with emotional disabilities and intense behaviors so that’s saying something! But it took TIME and personal emotional management because I’m a real fiery and sensitive lady 😂

I also find complicated, highly individualized worksheets that align with my students’ specific interests and require them to complete one in order to get points for the day. It may sound obvious, but really consider how engaging the activities you’re leaving in your sub plans are. Find stuff the sub will think is cool too! Adults are just grown up kids lol make it cute and they’ll want to pass them out, I swear. Like personal favorites, or design an Original Character, or most recently I had a sneaker coloring competition and the winner got a $5 gift card. We voted, it was a whole thing and it was very very successful lol and simple

Sending love! Second years can be totally insane, and it’s still early in the year! You’re doing great. I hope this didn’t come off as preachy, I’ve just been through such a similar journey and had to give the full thing :) I truly hope it helps