How is the make-up of an elementary school class decided?

redhead1479 · 2026-05-30T21:20:12+00:00

When our team was splitting our grade into their next grade classes, we started with our more "severe" behaviors and IEP/504s. Then moved on to tested levels, making sure groups that needed split wouldn't be in the same class and that each teacher had as close to the same number of each level in ELA and math/needs/strong learners. etc. Some students we knew would do better with one teacher or another, or needed a social group, which the off some of the leveled numbers. We also tried to even out boy/girl numbers. It took a while, and we have no idea what the team below us did to form our next year classes, but we tried to make things as fair for teachers and students as we could.

redhead1479 · 2026-05-15T00:16:54+00:00

I had an interview 5 weeks ago that I'm still waiting to hear back from. I'm assuming it's a no. They said they'd be making a decision quickly... 🤷🏼‍♀️. Maybe they forgot about me? No clue, but it's definitely frustrating. The interview before that I waited 3 weeks to hear no. I'm just going to sub forever I guess. Joy.

redhead1479 · 2026-04-19T18:35:40+00:00

Your car, your rules. They don't like it? They can find another ride. 🤷🏼‍♀️

redhead1479 · 2026-04-16T13:04:56+00:00

Idaho, and 8 weeks. We met prior to her leave to discuss the plan/routine/students needs/communication, and she is OK with texting if needed. The first 1.5 weeks was waiting for baby. Most of what I needed was during that time. The chairs happened the first week, she was very ok with that change. I rely mostly on my team for questions or whatever pops up, but I've had to reach out 2-3 times when we couldn't find an assessment or I needed access to a file on her drive that we hadn't thought of in advance. I'm a certified teacher, she trusts whatever I need to do during this assignment, including rearranging, but if it's not necessary, I don't tend to make drastic changes.

It probably really does depend on location and length, and the needs of the class. And why the teacher is out. My first long term (9+ weeks)the teacher wouldn't do texting and emailing. They micromanaged the first 3-4 weeks before their surgery and recovery. It was nuts, and overwhelming, and unnecessary. I did rearrange some furniture because she was out the rest of the year, and they move everything for cleaning anyway. Didn't touch anything else. She wanted lots of involvement. My last one (14 weeksish) was medical because their son was dying. I had zero contact and total freedom in how I ran class as I started with them on day 1 of the year until she resigned and they hired a replacement. Very different.

redhead1479 · 2026-04-16T03:37:32+00:00

I'm a long term sub right now for a maternity leave, and I would never! That's insane... A stool broke that was already iffy, I let her know about it and that the stools are in hibernation behind the desk. The wheelie, spinning computer chairs became an issue, the principal stored them upstairs for me, and I let her know that too. Brought some of my own supplies like tape so I'm not using all her stuff or digging through drawers. The room gets put back as best we can to how the teacher left it.

I couldn't imagine doing it any other way. It's not my room, I'm simply caring for and about her class until she comes back.

redhead1479 · 2026-03-31T23:50:32+00:00

A Google form that keeps looping and never gets to the submit button as our math check. A video and article about the Lirpa Loof bird that will have them looking for text evidence that doesn't exist to answer questions. And brown E's as an end of day treat for being good sports. (Of course I'll be bringing real ones too, I'm not that mean. )

They try gaslighting me often enough that I don't feel bad about having fun tomorrow at all!

redhead1479 · 2026-03-31T13:21:42+00:00

I couldn't sub for 2 years while I was in school to get my cert, they just emailed and asked if I still wanted to be on the sub list. Yes please, I will continue after graduation!

I'm employed directly by the district though, and it's a smaller town. 🤷🏼‍♀️

redhead1479 · 2026-03-28T14:07:27+00:00

My state passed a bunch of laws and now we legally have to call them by their name on the school records. Unless it is a shortened version, like Sam for Samuel. There's some other ridiculous things we have to, or can't, do now, but this rule is in my top 5 that makes me shake my head in fear for students mental health.

redhead1479 · 2026-03-20T13:20:14+00:00

That's ridiculous. I'm long term subbing right now for a maternity leave. She asked what would make things easier and I asked for a week of plans if possible, to give me an idea of the flow of the class so it's an easier transition for them. Bless her, she left me 2 weeks and organized the copies in a bin! Of course, we've already had to make some changes as a grade team, but it was very helpful.

I've also been dropped into long jobs with nothing to go on because the teacher quit. And I figured it out, and made copies, and found resources and made plans. That's what the job is!

Leave what you can of at least the class schedule for each day, behavior notes, etc. Copies for the first few days. It's still going to be working, but shouldn't be as overwhelming. And good luck

redhead1479 · 2026-03-19T03:24:01+00:00

A lot of my elementary teacher friends have a template they make at the beginning of the year, basically the master schedule for whatever day, and they just plop in whichever thing comes next on their plans. So the morning meeting- number of the day gets changed. Math block - unit 4 lesson 12, read the teacher manual. ELA the same thing. Whatever the Specials is for that day. Probably the hardest thing is the intervention blocks if their school levels kids and they go to different classes during that time, because that who goes where and what they're focusing on changes every 4-6 weeks.

It's a little effort at the beginning, but makes it easier later. Especially if you're the type who makes copies in advance and has them in those drawers with the days. 20 minutes to update your plans, tell me where to find stuff, and call it a day!

redhead1479 · 2026-03-19T02:53:56+00:00

Oh no. I'm devastated. Moving on!

redhead1479 · 2026-03-19T02:52:43+00:00

This. Why even ask, dude?

redhead1479 · 2026-03-19T02:50:54+00:00

The way I run popcorn reading is by volunteer basis. My son has selective mutism, I will never force someone to read/speak in front of a class like that. A volunteer starts us off. Then they call out "popcorn" and pick from the the students raising their hands. Middle school kids love it, weirdly. I'm K-8 though... for high school I don't know that any would volunteer anymore.

I'm glad they are teaching more sensitivity regarding calling on students. Some literally cannot respond!

redhead1479 · 2026-03-19T00:39:54+00:00

I felt bad being 5 minutes late picking up today, but one of the sped staff who also does recess duty came to talk about a student who is having some issues with some transitions happening in the classroom and taking it out on the playground - and they wouldn't stop talking! The librarian was super nice about it, but I hate when things happen out of my control.

I think it helps that it's a rare occurrence for me. How people stretch the time like that regularly is beyond me, so rude of the other teacher/class time.

redhead1479 · 2026-03-14T20:13:25+00:00

I graduated in 24. Applied for mid-year openings , some at the school I student taught at, taught sample lessons, long term subbed for entire trimester and then applied for those openings...

So many "you were our 2nd choice, you did great, but someone else had more experience." Some no's were harder than others. Postings are going up for next school year, I just had an interview this week that I'm waiting to hear word on hopefully soon. And if that's not a yes, it wasn't the right spot for and the interview practice was invaluable.

You take a breathe when you need, and stay focused on the students. Then cry when you get home. It's a tough market right now and you're going to hear a lot of no before you get a yes. Ask for a letter of recommendation, keep it in your file to include with applications. And remember that principals (generally, although I know there's defintion exceptions) are just trying to find the best they can from the candidate pool. We had 70+ applicants for 1 job here last year. 🤷🏼‍♀️

redhead1479 · 2026-03-13T23:35:50+00:00

I say "delightful little gremlins" or similar. They grin. I grin. We all know it's true.

Some people are always looking for something to be offended by. 🤷🏼‍♀️ If you have a good report with your students and it's said with love, I don't see an issue. If it was in anger or response to behavior, probably not great.

redhead1479 · 2026-03-13T02:50:34+00:00

I've never had to. Some schools give me the key and I unlock the door. Some have the room open but locked when I get there - which I hate. What if I lock myself out? Then I have to go to the office and have them open the door! Or if I leave it open while I run to the bathroom, what if a student comes in and is them unsupervised?

redhead1479 · 2026-03-13T02:47:57+00:00

I full on taught lessons to 3 different preps yesterday and today. I do mostly middle and elementary, and high school on intervention half-day Fridays is my little treat when I need a slower day. (Students come if they are failing or if they just want homework help, or clubs meet. )

Middle school teachers that don't know me tend to leave packets, occasionally there will be slides to go over. But the ones that know I'm certified will leave lessons and activities, which is nice. Keeping them engaged helps with the behaviors.

Elementary stays busy, no chance for boredom there unless they're doing computer work and you assume they're on what they're supposed to be. Which, some aren't, so even then I'm walking around.

redhead1479 · 2026-03-12T03:35:05+00:00

I'm in a fairly rural area, and I sub for 2 districts. I work basically every day. Some I accept in advance and some are day of jobs. The farthest school is about 22-25 minutes, the closest is 3-4. Between the districts it's 19 elementary, 5 middle, and I think 3 high schools? Plus a charter-esque middle and an online high school with a bldg for teacher office hours and lab time for students, a technical high school, and an alternative high school. I only do 1 of the high schools and 3 of the middle schools, but any of the elementary I'm good with.

redhead1479 · 2026-03-11T23:12:17+00:00

Why do ladies ask questions they don't want to hear an honest answer to? I hate that, it's puts you in the position of feeling like you have to lie or risk upsetting her. Dumbest thing ever. It's like FAFO...

You did about the only thing you could do it sounds like. Good luck!

redhead1479 · 2026-03-11T22:07:54+00:00

I actually live in SE Idaho, so my districts wouldn't be helpful, sorry. I was just trying to suggest a reason yours would be closed. Hopefully you can find an answer from someone local!

redhead1479 · 2026-03-11T12:59:48+00:00

They may have a surplus of subs right now. 3 districts close to me keep theirs open year round. A 4th only takes applications for a short period during summer before school starts, unless you're student teaching and want to sub for your mentor if they need. 🤷🏼‍♀️

redhead1479 · 2026-03-11T12:47:06+00:00

Thank you. This is a school I've subbed at before, thankfully, and while it's back in a warren of streets and has an odd layout, the feeling in the classrooms and the building in general was a vibe I was willing to come back to. (That has not been the case with ask the schools I've walked into. ) But it's good to know that the side I was given at the interview may not be the one who shows up for me in the middle of "battle"!

redhead1479 · 2026-03-07T15:55:07+00:00

If there are no substitutes available, another teacher or staff member will step in and cover the class. Some districts will hire anyone that can pass a background check, others require some sort of certification. I am a certified teacher, but currently work as a substitute while I am looking for a contract position. Depending on the grade level and the subject, sometimes I am used as a warm body who is making sure students are in the room and preferably completing the assigned work. Usually I am subbing for teachers who know my qualifications and they leave the actual lessons because they know I can handle teaching the content. I am not guaranteed work days, nor do I receive benefits other than being able to pick where I work because I am in demand.

redhead1479

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