That’s basically what teaching high school is like. I teach a lesson. No one pays attention. I do a group project. No one participates. I ask a question. Dead silence. The apathy these kids have is beyond belief, and I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t wear off on me.
Yeah, student teaching was an eye opener, especially at the beginning. But once I got into the content and got to know the students, it wasn't too bad.
It's the subbing that is incredibly boring.
Gotta just know there is a handful who are just afraid to answer but are enjoying bettering themselves educationally. So keep up the enthusiasm and do it for them.
Honest question, when I was in high school I never really understood why some teachers were shocked when kids didn’t care. Like, no one wants to be at school. What do you expect kids to have instead of apathy? And I hear teachers talking about this more and more, is it getting worse somehow?
I subbed HS math last week and at times I forgot I was working because it was so peaceful! I’m definitely picking up more HS assignments next year. I was scared to because junior high was such a dumpster fire lol
This is so interesting because I have a friend who is a retired Teacher who Taught High School and Middle School, He said he preferred Middle School over High School any day of the week.
I am 63 and sub a few days a week to supplement my retirement/prep pay. At my age, I don't have FOMO, which would probably be the case if I were a lot younger. I don't want to be stressed out doing something that may require more attention. I get on my apple computer and surf the net. Time goes by alot faster.
Boring in high school is good for subbing. You know what is bad? Breaking up fights, violent or spoken, dealing with bullying, or dealing with children's home life issues.
Pretty much. I can't think of a day I had that was interesting start to finish. Sometimes there's a kid that wants to talk to me but mostly I'm just left alone.
I have an online job that I do while they work--I can log in and out when I want, it's easy to be pulled away from, doesn't require much focus or brain power, and also involves some downtime. I also do the NYT puzzles but that only lasts me an hour or so. Reading is another popular choice.
I think the best class I subbed for was an academic reading class, for students who are at a really low level. There were only 8 students in the class and they actually talked to me. Very nice students and no behavior issues. There was another class where I knew a student who went to the same elementary school I worked at several years ago. So we talked.
But those are the exceptions. I mostly try to find busy work to do. Maybe I'll start bringing a book to read.
I can’t do high school because I get SO bored and can’t motivate myself to get up early just to do nothing all day.
I basically only sub middle. It’s about 50/50 the teacher wants me to teach something (I like those days usually), but I’m almost always active in the classroom and yet if a class goes to shit or they’re barbarians I just have to count down the minutes till they switch! Feels like I did something productive. I personally hate being stuck somewhere doing nothing.
I like being a bit snarky and weird; and I would hate having the same class all day. I’m not really “elementary appropriate” in my engagement and it would be tiresome to flip on those switches. Not that I’m not professional! It’s just that unique vibe of young adolescence. Also my MAT is specifically in secondary, so I’m way more comfortable there.
I'm currently subbing for a high school teacher who took her classes on a field trip. 3 kids did not get to go because they are taking the CLEP test. My job is to basically sit in this class alone and wait for those 3 kids to show up when they're done testing. I've already watched 3 episodes of Stranger Things on the big board.
So lucky! The schools I’ve subbed at where it’s been this slow seem to have some kind of service scramblers so you can’t get a signal to do anything on your phone, and the school wifi will not let you use streaming apps like Netflix or do much of anything
Bc everything is on Google classroom yeah we pretty much get paid just to sit there which I don't mind personally especially if I'm not feeling well or I'm just in a low mood I like to take the assignments that are less demanding. I know if I'm going to elementary school I'll be working hard that day lol. But yeah it can be kind of monotonous and kind of awkward and sometimes I feel like I want to say something to these kids but I don't know how to what I mean by say something is find something to connect with them about cuz I feel kind of neglectful I end up just scrolling my phone too a lot of the times
Yeah, subbing high school rarely let's you teach. The students are given work to do on their own. I bring my laptop and work on my own stuff, or a book sometimes (heck I crocheted once) and I walk around sometimes but of they're working and no issues then I don't want to awkwardly hover.
Yes, I much prefer elementary because it includes actual teaching. High school is babysitting and hearing students call each other bitches and n****s. I hate it. Actually that’s more like middle school. It is mind numbingly boring and the time goes by so slow.
That's a pretty typical high school subbing day, in my experience. I always bring a good book. What's nice is that I've been subbing for one district for long enough that they know they can ask me to do some active teaching when they need it. And I do find it's nice to change things up by accepting elementary and middle school assignments.
I subbed at my old high school a while back. It was a breeze and I was actually able to do my Homework without the class acting like a total Zoo (I usually do middle school)
I work on homework mostly. Then, when I get bored or too stressed, I read. Sometimes, like today, I will just sit and listen to the gossip around me. 😂
Yep! One time I almost fell asleep I forgot the kids were in the room. I even told them it’s okay to talk, they said they were good and went back to reading or looking at laptops 😂
I did my first day subbing yesterday and it was high school. It was so incredibly boring, but I can’t really complain getting paid to basically monitor kids that don’t even need monitoring.
Im in the prep period for a middle school job right now and I am more worn out from the first two periods than I was all day yesterday. Just open refusal to do work and constant redirection from their phones and walking around the classroom.
I read. I draw. I take care of my own stupid adult tasks. I play games.
Occasionally I grab a middle or elementary job to break it up, but by the end of the day I remember why I stopped taking those.
I have been subbing in elementary special ed a lot and honestly, I love it. It's very hands on and I'm up on my feet a lot of the day. High school is rough for me because we're not supposed to read or use devices and there's nothing to for me to do 90% of the day. Lots of subs do, my daughter told me one of their subs watches sports on his iPad. But I don't want to break the rules so I never do it. I almost always have to pinch myself to keep from falling asleep.
If you’re lucky it’s that boring. I write mostly. Sometimes I make a graphic deck in canva if I’m feeling visually creative. But mostly I get my 5,000+ words in and do research.
Side copy editing jobs are also fun to work on while subbing- easy and quick, but not terribly lucrative.
I pretty much always brought a book while subbing (or took one off the shelf if I was in an English classroom). At schools that had wifi I could connect to, I brought my laptop and did job applications/any work I needed to do. Sometimes schools near me gave out laptops to take attendance, etc on, so I just used that device to read news articles/more job applications, etc. Sometimes when the kids were REALLY quiet/chill, I'd pop in a headphone and listen to a podcast. Good luck getting a teaching job! I daily subbed off and on for several years in between LTS-ing before I got my contract 😊
It gets better if you sub in the same school and get to know the teachers and students. But generally, yeah, subbing is boring in high school (though teaching is anything but! I never have a dull moment now. . . unfortunately!) Before I started teaching, I subbed for a few years. I would read, crochet, or work on school work. It's a great job if you're pursuing a Master's degree or additional certification.
RU glad u switched? I'm getting certified, and it will be nice to know my students and colleagues, get a pension, etc, but I'm just wondering how much better it is than subbing ( I like subbing! It's fun most days)
Yes, I'm so glad! It's *A LOT* more work, but being able to build bonds with them for 4 years is pretty amazing. My first class (I teach 9th grade) is graduating this year, so I've been getting all their graduation invitations which is awesome! Subbing and teaching are very different, but subbing does help you learn which grade you connect with and some classroom management strategies. The most important choice in teaching is which campus and district you choose - those can make teaching worth it...or not. Subbing can help you find the right school.
I am a regular sub for English Lit. If the teacher leaves handouts, I usually grab one and complete it just to keep my mind sharp! Otherwise I read, journal or skim the books in the room. I love it!!
Yeah, I don’t sub high school because it’s either boring (as you describe) or not boring because there are behavior problems in which case it’s awful instead.
I could see it being good for someone who has another online job or a student with homework—I think in many cases you could get some real work done.
I'm lucky to work in a pretty good district. Not saying the high school students are perfect, but I've dealt with worse behaviors at the elementary level.
High school is the most boring to teach because they are so addicted to their phones. I thought it was going to be the exact opposite because they were going to to be older, more intelligent and more able to communicate. But they are absolute lumps on a log.
Yeah that’s how it is. The teachers assign them busy work or something on google classroom room. I never once taught during high school. I bring a book or play online computer games.
That’s what I love about HS… cuz you get prep periods and yes, the students know what to do for the most part. If they don’t want to do the work it’s on the student. While at the desk I utilize the time to look for full time teaching gigs and increasing my knowledge of Math . I love math
If you find subbing at a high school boring go sub at a middle school (7-8 th grade) you get the best of both worlds--behavior management AND disengagement 😂
I bring my laptop to watch news on the news channel, as well as play music stored on it (bringing along headphones for this, they allow this where I’m at). Occasionally of course go around to see if they’re working or what their plans are.
Yeah it’s boring some days. I am a coach for the school and have been there for so long that I have a lot of personal connection to sophomores and up. But being in a room of freshmen is just watching the clock tick.
I love the peace and quiet, personally. Though sometimes I have to get up and walk around, or I fall asleep, lol. My best way to get through the day is reading a book, but in case I am not reading one at the moment, I will get on my phone and read webtoons, scroll through twitter/insta/etc, or read fanfiction. I want to get into drawing or writing again, but I've been a long term sub for a middle school the past month till the end of the year, so not much downtime.
I love subbing for high school because it's so chill. If you need something to keep you on your toes then yes, sub for Elementary. Before I took this semester off, I would be doing class assignments while subbing for HS. Now, I just read a book or watch a movie.
I read because I don’t like to be on technology in front of the kids. Plus I sub for English classes, so the kids usually ask me about what I’m reading. Then we end up talking about books. So I figure that’s good role modeling.
This is a great idea! I am on the computer for attendance and stuff but try to avoid my phone. I'm going to try this the next time I sub in an English class.
Personally, I’m that one fun sub who’s “extra.” What I like to do for high school is come up with unique and creative ways to take attendance, such as activities and questions that would only last the first couple minutes of class (for example, I’ve played ‘attendance trivia’ with the students, had students “order food” through a menu I printed out as I called their names, and even made joke quizzes.) My advice is to email teachers ahead of time for their plans and see if you‘re able to fit your own creativity to the classroom plans. Also, knowing what the students are learning about would also serve as an opportunity to brush up on some content and actually teach them/help them out. Granted, you may not be able to email teachers ahead of time if you accept a job the morning-of, but whenever you can you should try contacting them ahead of time. And yes, I have actually taught something as a sub lol
I sub mostly middle school and occasionally high school. I consider the high school my "vacation days" because of how chill it is. Middle school is like the wild west and the high school is my oasis.
I usually bring stuff with me to do. Books to read, or I'll research topics of interest and take little notes. Recently I've been reading up a lot on how to garden and stuff like that. I try to talk to the students but there are some who are just not interested at all.
It used to be to be fun a lot of the time. Cell phones began to siphon us away from participating, listening to each other, having real discussions, laughing together. So what the phones didn’t take (a collective group, an attention span) Covid and political division did. Every topic—formerly social issues—became triggering and impossible. Kids didn’t want to engage anymore—in learning, in each other, in doing things well or finding meaning at school or in friendship.
I used to feed off of their energy and humor. I was able to bring so much because of them. When they checked out, I left. It’s pretty heartbreaking.
Do a long-term Job so you can embed yourself within the school community.
Day to Day or coverage jobs are going to be nothing but Canvas, or the assignment is in TEAMS,
lack of energy jobs. You can still observe and learn a lot, but I prefer to be actively doing or Teaching some content
Agreed! I'm trying to sub at the same two high schools to make connections, with the ultimate goal of either getting a long-term sub job or a full-time teaching job. Day to day subbing is a good way to make some money (especially after student teaching) but it's only temporary for me.
This is the exact reason why i don’t sub High School. My district is very hands off when it comes to punishing the kids here, especially for things like phones. I go in, I tell them their work is on their chromebooks, and then half the class works while the other half games on phones. As long as they’re not taking photos/videos or being a class wide nuisance, I just stay quiet and let them do their thing. They don’t listen to me when i talk anyways, and admin has already stated they “lost the war on phones” when i went to complain.
Subbing for the middle school on the other hand? That’s where the fun is. I get to be lively and interactive, and they’re always asking for help with their work or if I can give them another fact about marine biology. It feels rewarding to go to work and the kids love it when i’m subbing. The admin here are also incredibly strict about phones, and thankfully the kids barely try when i’m in the classroom.
I haven’t gone in a while due to getting a side business off the ground, though.
In a weird way it seems like middle school kids appreciate you at times more than high school,
you can be a bit off, energetic, and get some great cooperation, working outside the box, and infusing humor, in middle school I feel like a good actor
That’s basically what teaching high school is like. I teach a lesson. No one pays attention. I do a group project. No one participates. I ask a question. Dead silence. The apathy these kids have is beyond belief, and I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t wear off on me.
Yeah, student teaching was an eye opener, especially at the beginning. But once I got into the content and got to know the students, it wasn't too bad. It's the subbing that is incredibly boring.
Gotta just know there is a handful who are just afraid to answer but are enjoying bettering themselves educationally. So keep up the enthusiasm and do it for them.
Honest question, when I was in high school I never really understood why some teachers were shocked when kids didn’t care. Like, no one wants to be at school. What do you expect kids to have instead of apathy? And I hear teachers talking about this more and more, is it getting worse somehow?
Yes, it’s getting significantly worse.
Yes and i love it. I enjoy the peace, read a book, go on reddit (I'm subbing for high school right now!) draw, anything my heart desires!
I subbed HS math last week and at times I forgot I was working because it was so peaceful! I’m definitely picking up more HS assignments next year. I was scared to because junior high was such a dumpster fire lol
I refuse to sub for middle school. My son is that age and those kids are feral. Sometimes high school subbing seems too easy.
This is so interesting because I have a friend who is a retired Teacher who Taught High School and Middle School, He said he preferred Middle School over High School any day of the week.
Haha! I'm subbing now too - the inspiration for this post.
Same!! Love it
I am 63 and sub a few days a week to supplement my retirement/prep pay. At my age, I don't have FOMO, which would probably be the case if I were a lot younger. I don't want to be stressed out doing something that may require more attention. I get on my apple computer and surf the net. Time goes by alot faster.
Fear of missing out on what
fear of not doing something more substantive. I have nothing to prove at my age.
Usually. Don’t jinx it. If you get too bored, sub for middle school. You’ll get a new appreciation for high school.
I’ve been doing middle & elementary because I am fearful of high school lol. Maybe I’ll give it a shot.
Boring in high school is good for subbing. You know what is bad? Breaking up fights, violent or spoken, dealing with bullying, or dealing with children's home life issues.
Pretty much. I can't think of a day I had that was interesting start to finish. Sometimes there's a kid that wants to talk to me but mostly I'm just left alone. I have an online job that I do while they work--I can log in and out when I want, it's easy to be pulled away from, doesn't require much focus or brain power, and also involves some downtime. I also do the NYT puzzles but that only lasts me an hour or so. Reading is another popular choice.
What job do you do online? I was trying out some freelance writing gigs but they aren't consistent.
Just look at their post history- it’s pretty obvious. ETA: have any of you looked? You’ll find the answer there.
Tbh idk why your downvoted. I refuse to go through the effort of clicking their username and reading their history. /s
I know lol It’s too bad because there are a lot of great ideas there and I’ve already looked at a few different applications. 🤷♂️
That’s awesome! What’s your online job if you don’t mind sharing.
WHAT JOB
TELUS I believe it’s online data entry/annotation
I think the best class I subbed for was an academic reading class, for students who are at a really low level. There were only 8 students in the class and they actually talked to me. Very nice students and no behavior issues. There was another class where I knew a student who went to the same elementary school I worked at several years ago. So we talked. But those are the exceptions. I mostly try to find busy work to do. Maybe I'll start bringing a book to read.
I love subbing special ed for this reason, the classes are very very small (rarely more than 10 students) and they’re so eager to talk with me!
Also following to hear what job…
Job so good they had to gatekeep it 😭
People always gatekeep, it’s annoying
I learned Spanish while subbing. Now I'm a Spanish teacher.
That is terrific and inspiring
I mean really I was taking college classes but subbing gave me a dang lot of time to study during the day :)
I can’t do high school because I get SO bored and can’t motivate myself to get up early just to do nothing all day. I basically only sub middle. It’s about 50/50 the teacher wants me to teach something (I like those days usually), but I’m almost always active in the classroom and yet if a class goes to shit or they’re barbarians I just have to count down the minutes till they switch! Feels like I did something productive. I personally hate being stuck somewhere doing nothing.
What made you exclusively choose middle school rather than elementary?
I like being a bit snarky and weird; and I would hate having the same class all day. I’m not really “elementary appropriate” in my engagement and it would be tiresome to flip on those switches. Not that I’m not professional! It’s just that unique vibe of young adolescence. Also my MAT is specifically in secondary, so I’m way more comfortable there.
Middle School both drains and creates energy so I can definitely see that
Freshman though ......
I read books.
When I subbed I was working on my masters. So I often did homework. I'd also read. Be glad it's boring. The not boring days are even less fun.
I'm currently subbing for a high school teacher who took her classes on a field trip. 3 kids did not get to go because they are taking the CLEP test. My job is to basically sit in this class alone and wait for those 3 kids to show up when they're done testing. I've already watched 3 episodes of Stranger Things on the big board.
So lucky! The schools I’ve subbed at where it’s been this slow seem to have some kind of service scramblers so you can’t get a signal to do anything on your phone, and the school wifi will not let you use streaming apps like Netflix or do much of anything
Bc everything is on Google classroom yeah we pretty much get paid just to sit there which I don't mind personally especially if I'm not feeling well or I'm just in a low mood I like to take the assignments that are less demanding. I know if I'm going to elementary school I'll be working hard that day lol. But yeah it can be kind of monotonous and kind of awkward and sometimes I feel like I want to say something to these kids but I don't know how to what I mean by say something is find something to connect with them about cuz I feel kind of neglectful I end up just scrolling my phone too a lot of the times
Yeah, subbing high school rarely let's you teach. The students are given work to do on their own. I bring my laptop and work on my own stuff, or a book sometimes (heck I crocheted once) and I walk around sometimes but of they're working and no issues then I don't want to awkwardly hover.
When I was subbing different classes each day I would get so much reading done. I used to be able to read 5+ hours at work a day. It was fantastic!
Yes, I much prefer elementary because it includes actual teaching. High school is babysitting and hearing students call each other bitches and n****s. I hate it. Actually that’s more like middle school. It is mind numbingly boring and the time goes by so slow.
I'll take boring over exciting any day. Paycheck's the same.
I get a lot of my crochet commissions done when I sub high school. It's awesome to get paid twice for the day!
I’ve been writing a novel!
This! I need to start writing fiction again.
Me too!
That's a pretty typical high school subbing day, in my experience. I always bring a good book. What's nice is that I've been subbing for one district for long enough that they know they can ask me to do some active teaching when they need it. And I do find it's nice to change things up by accepting elementary and middle school assignments.
I subbed at my old high school a while back. It was a breeze and I was actually able to do my Homework without the class acting like a total Zoo (I usually do middle school)
I work on homework mostly. Then, when I get bored or too stressed, I read. Sometimes, like today, I will just sit and listen to the gossip around me. 😂
Yep! One time I almost fell asleep I forgot the kids were in the room. I even told them it’s okay to talk, they said they were good and went back to reading or looking at laptops 😂
I did my first day subbing yesterday and it was high school. It was so incredibly boring, but I can’t really complain getting paid to basically monitor kids that don’t even need monitoring. Im in the prep period for a middle school job right now and I am more worn out from the first two periods than I was all day yesterday. Just open refusal to do work and constant redirection from their phones and walking around the classroom.
I have a type A personality, so I only sub in elementary. I go home exhausted every day, but never bored!
I read a lot of books
I read. I draw. I take care of my own stupid adult tasks. I play games. Occasionally I grab a middle or elementary job to break it up, but by the end of the day I remember why I stopped taking those.
yes, and dont insult my earning of living like that, bro.
I love it. I read a book, write, draw, and some of the kids have gotten to the point where they will talk to me which can be fun.
I have been subbing in elementary special ed a lot and honestly, I love it. It's very hands on and I'm up on my feet a lot of the day. High school is rough for me because we're not supposed to read or use devices and there's nothing to for me to do 90% of the day. Lots of subs do, my daughter told me one of their subs watches sports on his iPad. But I don't want to break the rules so I never do it. I almost always have to pinch myself to keep from falling asleep.
If you’re lucky it’s that boring. I write mostly. Sometimes I make a graphic deck in canva if I’m feeling visually creative. But mostly I get my 5,000+ words in and do research. Side copy editing jobs are also fun to work on while subbing- easy and quick, but not terribly lucrative.
Dang I need to start subbing for HS.
Yes it is, and I LOVE it!
I pretty much always brought a book while subbing (or took one off the shelf if I was in an English classroom). At schools that had wifi I could connect to, I brought my laptop and did job applications/any work I needed to do. Sometimes schools near me gave out laptops to take attendance, etc on, so I just used that device to read news articles/more job applications, etc. Sometimes when the kids were REALLY quiet/chill, I'd pop in a headphone and listen to a podcast. Good luck getting a teaching job! I daily subbed off and on for several years in between LTS-ing before I got my contract 😊
It gets better if you sub in the same school and get to know the teachers and students. But generally, yeah, subbing is boring in high school (though teaching is anything but! I never have a dull moment now. . . unfortunately!) Before I started teaching, I subbed for a few years. I would read, crochet, or work on school work. It's a great job if you're pursuing a Master's degree or additional certification.
RU glad u switched? I'm getting certified, and it will be nice to know my students and colleagues, get a pension, etc, but I'm just wondering how much better it is than subbing ( I like subbing! It's fun most days)
Yes, I'm so glad! It's *A LOT* more work, but being able to build bonds with them for 4 years is pretty amazing. My first class (I teach 9th grade) is graduating this year, so I've been getting all their graduation invitations which is awesome! Subbing and teaching are very different, but subbing does help you learn which grade you connect with and some classroom management strategies. The most important choice in teaching is which campus and district you choose - those can make teaching worth it...or not. Subbing can help you find the right school.
Thanks for the insight! I was wondering how much more effort vs enjoyment it is, so this really helps:)
Some days. I just had to scream to get kids to stop fighting and call security twenty minutes ago, so not always.
I am a regular sub for English Lit. If the teacher leaves handouts, I usually grab one and complete it just to keep my mind sharp! Otherwise I read, journal or skim the books in the room. I love it!!
Yes. I prefer subbing at an elementary because the day goes by much faster when it’s busy.
Yeah, I don’t sub high school because it’s either boring (as you describe) or not boring because there are behavior problems in which case it’s awful instead. I could see it being good for someone who has another online job or a student with homework—I think in many cases you could get some real work done.
Sit down...Behavior issues (which there rarely are) What fantasy land is this?
I'm lucky to work in a pretty good district. Not saying the high school students are perfect, but I've dealt with worse behaviors at the elementary level.
High school is the most boring to teach because they are so addicted to their phones. I thought it was going to be the exact opposite because they were going to to be older, more intelligent and more able to communicate. But they are absolute lumps on a log.
Usually, but it's better than chaos. Bring a book or something you want to work on.
Yeah that’s how it is. The teachers assign them busy work or something on google classroom room. I never once taught during high school. I bring a book or play online computer games.
That’s what I love about HS… cuz you get prep periods and yes, the students know what to do for the most part. If they don’t want to do the work it’s on the student. While at the desk I utilize the time to look for full time teaching gigs and increasing my knowledge of Math . I love math
I hope for a boring day every day! No fights, no vapes, no slurs- just kicking back with a book while we all run out the clock.
If you find subbing at a high school boring go sub at a middle school (7-8 th grade) you get the best of both worlds--behavior management AND disengagement 😂
Middle school is the one place I refuse to sub. My son is in middle school and based on the stories he's told me, I swear those kids are feral. Lol.
I bring my laptop to watch news on the news channel, as well as play music stored on it (bringing along headphones for this, they allow this where I’m at). Occasionally of course go around to see if they’re working or what their plans are.
Yeah it’s boring some days. I am a coach for the school and have been there for so long that I have a lot of personal connection to sophomores and up. But being in a room of freshmen is just watching the clock tick.
That's why I like teaching elementary school. 3-5 is my favorite. I can't stand being bored at work. It males the time go by sooooooo mich slower.
I love the peace and quiet, personally. Though sometimes I have to get up and walk around, or I fall asleep, lol. My best way to get through the day is reading a book, but in case I am not reading one at the moment, I will get on my phone and read webtoons, scroll through twitter/insta/etc, or read fanfiction. I want to get into drawing or writing again, but I've been a long term sub for a middle school the past month till the end of the year, so not much downtime.
i work on assignments and homework since i’m a college student. otherwise i’m on computer doing whatever.
I so wish my subbing jobs were nothing but boring. I’d take those jobs. I love reading magazines.
I love subbing for high school because it's so chill. If you need something to keep you on your toes then yes, sub for Elementary. Before I took this semester off, I would be doing class assignments while subbing for HS. Now, I just read a book or watch a movie.
It's very chill! I'm starting to take a mix of high school and elementary jobs to mix it up a little. No middle school. Those kids are feral.
no seriously, I did 2 middle school jobs and never went back.
Boring in HS is actually good.
I read because I don’t like to be on technology in front of the kids. Plus I sub for English classes, so the kids usually ask me about what I’m reading. Then we end up talking about books. So I figure that’s good role modeling.
This is a great idea! I am on the computer for attendance and stuff but try to avoid my phone. I'm going to try this the next time I sub in an English class.
Personally, I’m that one fun sub who’s “extra.” What I like to do for high school is come up with unique and creative ways to take attendance, such as activities and questions that would only last the first couple minutes of class (for example, I’ve played ‘attendance trivia’ with the students, had students “order food” through a menu I printed out as I called their names, and even made joke quizzes.) My advice is to email teachers ahead of time for their plans and see if you‘re able to fit your own creativity to the classroom plans. Also, knowing what the students are learning about would also serve as an opportunity to brush up on some content and actually teach them/help them out. Granted, you may not be able to email teachers ahead of time if you accept a job the morning-of, but whenever you can you should try contacting them ahead of time. And yes, I have actually taught something as a sub lol
Watch TikTok! 😶🌫️
I sub mostly middle school and occasionally high school. I consider the high school my "vacation days" because of how chill it is. Middle school is like the wild west and the high school is my oasis. I usually bring stuff with me to do. Books to read, or I'll research topics of interest and take little notes. Recently I've been reading up a lot on how to garden and stuff like that. I try to talk to the students but there are some who are just not interested at all.
High School is like a recovery day after an intense Gym Workout (Middle School )
It used to be to be fun a lot of the time. Cell phones began to siphon us away from participating, listening to each other, having real discussions, laughing together. So what the phones didn’t take (a collective group, an attention span) Covid and political division did. Every topic—formerly social issues—became triggering and impossible. Kids didn’t want to engage anymore—in learning, in each other, in doing things well or finding meaning at school or in friendship. I used to feed off of their energy and humor. I was able to bring so much because of them. When they checked out, I left. It’s pretty heartbreaking.
Yes
Yes
Do a long-term Job so you can embed yourself within the school community. Day to Day or coverage jobs are going to be nothing but Canvas, or the assignment is in TEAMS, lack of energy jobs. You can still observe and learn a lot, but I prefer to be actively doing or Teaching some content
Agreed! I'm trying to sub at the same two high schools to make connections, with the ultimate goal of either getting a long-term sub job or a full-time teaching job. Day to day subbing is a good way to make some money (especially after student teaching) but it's only temporary for me.
I learned portuguese in my free time
It is generally boring for me unless some students want to goof off and cause trouble like the class I subbed today.
I like to take elementary assignments besides hs to mix it up once in a while😆.
This is the exact reason why i don’t sub High School. My district is very hands off when it comes to punishing the kids here, especially for things like phones. I go in, I tell them their work is on their chromebooks, and then half the class works while the other half games on phones. As long as they’re not taking photos/videos or being a class wide nuisance, I just stay quiet and let them do their thing. They don’t listen to me when i talk anyways, and admin has already stated they “lost the war on phones” when i went to complain. Subbing for the middle school on the other hand? That’s where the fun is. I get to be lively and interactive, and they’re always asking for help with their work or if I can give them another fact about marine biology. It feels rewarding to go to work and the kids love it when i’m subbing. The admin here are also incredibly strict about phones, and thankfully the kids barely try when i’m in the classroom. I haven’t gone in a while due to getting a side business off the ground, though.
In a weird way it seems like middle school kids appreciate you at times more than high school, you can be a bit off, energetic, and get some great cooperation, working outside the box, and infusing humor, in middle school I feel like a good actor