#RuralEdChat is a chat that focuses on the needs of the rural educator. This chat has been revised by Tammy Neil (@MathNeil), John Martin (@edventures) and Natalee Stotz (@nataleestotz).
Hey all! I'm a software dev by day, and a volunteer teacher/teacher trainer for computer science by all other times, working with a school in central WA #RuralEdChat
Thank you so much for being here, everybody! We are talking about the substitute situation in your life as an educator. Share a bit about what's that's like for you in your learning environment to start us off. #RuralEdChat
For us, a sub is... Interesting. We (the volunteers) can keep teaching, but since we're remote, we rely on the classroom teacher who understands the system to help interface with the students. Plus, the teacher is a student of ours too! #RuralEdChat
Thank you so much for being here, everybody! We are talking about the substitute situation in your life as an educator. Share a bit about what's that's like for you in your learning environment to start us off. #RuralEdChat
Over the last few years, the subs have been harder to come by with each passing year. There is never one that is prepared to cover my Calculus or Statistics courses. #ruraledchat
Thank you so much for being here, everybody! We are talking about the substitute situation in your life as an educator. Share a bit about what's that's like for you in your learning environment to start us off. #RuralEdChat
It seems like a diverse set of experiences for everyone in terms of subs and subbing. What tips and strategies have you come up with in your planning process for working with a sub? #RuralEdChat
It seems like a diverse set of experiences for everyone in terms of subs and subbing. What tips and strategies have you come up with in your planning process for working with a sub? #RuralEdChat
The way I plan/teach the students are working & I'm facilitating. Makes it easy to leave for a sub, cause kids know what to do, but then its not as full experience because I'm not there to guide/facilitate/coach. #RuralEdChat
Prepping not just some lessons/reviews, but prepping the students with what to do if we have a sub. Setting expectations goes a long way for us. #ruraledchat
It seems like a diverse set of experiences for everyone in terms of subs and subbing. What tips and strategies have you come up with in your planning process for working with a sub? #RuralEdChat
I was going to ask about the situation for specialists. Finding subs who could "cover" a library media center was extra challenging. Had one leave half-way through the day once because he couldn't "take it." #RuralEdChat
Rural areas have a real issue finding subs 1) poor pay 2) unsteady work 3) no health care 4) the "casual market force" is too far away. some schools use a permanent substitute- hired to be in building all year and often hired TT later #ruraledchat
When I began teaching in Chicago, we had "cadre" subs who were always in the building: knew the kids, teachers and general way things worked. It was pretty great but still a challenge to stretch one person to cover us all. #ruraledchat
@ohio_src here and thrilled by this showing! Blended learning can be a boon to rural educators, those prepping and those practicing! It’s reach has no limits. #ruraledchat
We are a BYOD school, & all my Ss have a laptop or iPad or phone. They can email me. I often will have them submit things in classroom, @Seesaw or @Flipgrid for accountability. #RuralEdChat
sad, but common. I have a bag of tricks for subs.. challenges that can be done by anyone - I also save videos that relate to our challenges for days I know I am going to be out... #ruraledchat
years ago, I had a particularly *forward* Ss convince a sub she could use the bandsaw. I LOST MY MIND!! Nothing bad happened, but I was irate! #ruraledchat
Best practice also for rural areas. Need to help "test out" a teacher with a year long interview. School often hired a building sub when an anticipated vacancy was expected. #ruraledchat
@ohio_src here and thrilled by this showing! Blended learning can be a boon to rural educators, those prepping and those practicing! It’s reach has no limits. #ruraledchat
So with what we know about the challenges of getting & planning for a sub, where does this leave us in terms of morale? How does it impact your likelihood to plan for prof development opportunities or let alone just being sick or caring for sick loved ones? #ruraledchat
Interesting point. I typically think of needing a sub for being out sick or appointments, not for school sponsored activities. It's an issue, though. #RuralEdChat
I couldn't go to a conference I really wanted to because I'd been out so much caring for my husband. I had to be out a lot this fall, & as understanding as my Ss where, they also were tired of me not being there. #RuralEdChat
So with what we know about the challenges of getting & planning for a sub, where does this leave us in terms of morale? How does it impact your likelihood to plan for prof development opportunities or let alone just being sick or caring for sick loved ones? #ruraledchat
So with what we know about the challenges of getting & planning for a sub, where does this leave us in terms of morale? How does it impact your likelihood to plan for prof development opportunities or let alone just being sick or caring for sick loved ones? #ruraledchat
Really critical is to lead a PAID Substitute teacher boot camp. Get them in, establish school expectations in region, and more importantly, make wages livable and sustainable- give subs as many dates locked in to plan. WE are better than Fast food industry #ruraledchat
I have been blessed with some awesome Ss - thanks in part to the importance of building relationships. They know they can ask questions via email, MathXL, Google Classroom, etc. even when I am not there - and they do!
#ruraledchat
So with what we know about the challenges of getting & planning for a sub, where does this leave us in terms of morale? How does it impact your likelihood to plan for prof development opportunities or let alone just being sick or caring for sick loved ones? #ruraledchat
We also have an issue with a 180 day model. There are 365 days and people get sick. Their family get sick. PD suffers when time is a constraint. Look at Japan- less classroom time and more PD time, maybe US needs to switch model? #ruraledchat
Interesting point. I typically think of needing a sub for being out sick or appointments, not for school sponsored activities. It's an issue, though. #RuralEdChat
That's really hard because often those conferences are only available during the year. And that idea of being "out so much" is a heavy one...no way around it and it always felt to me like I was failing someone--sub, kids, school, district!! #ruraledchat
We also have an issue with a 180 day model. There are 365 days and people get sick. Their family get sick. PD suffers when time is a constraint. Look at Japan- less classroom time and more PD time, maybe US needs to switch model? #ruraledchat
I have to pick and choose my PD very carefully - allowed only 4 days/year! I am missing a great opportunity so that I can go to #iteea2018 in April.. maybe I'll get sick that day.. I have 120 sick days saved! #ruraledchat
That's really hard because often those conferences are only available during the year. And that idea of being "out so much" is a heavy one...no way around it and it always felt to me like I was failing someone--sub, kids, school, district!! #ruraledchat
I have heard of tenure denials because of too many sick days taken- yet the days are negotiated in the contracts! #ruraledchat#laborhistory#abusivepower
I really struggled with that last year and this fall. I needed to be taking care of my husband, but I needed to be working, and I wanted to be there...I love teaching! And conferences are important for teaching better & helping my school grow. #RuralEdChat
An educational model that incorporates multiple educators in a hybrid role - part of the time in the classroom, part in another role. Not only does this increase morale and productivity but a situation where if a sub is needed, instruction will take place. #ruraledchat
Pay subs to shadow a couple days for a few teachers and really get to know the classrooms, the lay of the land and most importantly, start to build relationships with the students. #ruraledchat
Curious on more folks thoughts - I sometimes feel like have 2 teachers per class, even if it meant classes twice as large, would be much better. #RuralEdChat
I have to pick and choose my PD very carefully - allowed only 4 days/year! I am missing a great opportunity so that I can go to #iteea2018 in April.. maybe I'll get sick that day.. I have 120 sick days saved! #ruraledchat
That's really hard because often those conferences are only available during the year. And that idea of being "out so much" is a heavy one...no way around it and it always felt to me like I was failing someone--sub, kids, school, district!! #ruraledchat
The times I've been able to share the work with a like-minded and kindred spirit of a teacher partner have been the most rewarding of my career. #RuralEdChat
We also have an issue with a 180 day model. There are 365 days and people get sick. Their family get sick. PD suffers when time is a constraint. Look at Japan- less classroom time and more PD time, maybe US needs to switch model? #ruraledchat
The times I've been able to share the work with a like-minded and kindred spirit of a teacher partner have been the most rewarding of my career. #RuralEdChat
Full disclosure: I was in the sub role today. I only take requests to work in a district where I know the kids & teachers pretty well. It's highly rewarding & the teachers leave awesome plans. So much respect for subs after wearing that hat these past couple months. #RuralEdChat
Yes! Relationships are one of the most important (and rewarding) tools of the trade! Even a small one is better than walking in with none, and yet, that's what we expect from most subs. #RuralEdChat
So in reading these responses to how to solve the sub dilemma, I'm thinking if #ruraledchat was in charge, we'd make some pretty good progress in changing things up! :)
Look at Luke Miller's Study in JRRE- the near to an urban area, and farthest away have biggest issues in teacher recruitment. Local regional districts need to work together with #sub reps. #ruraledchat
I can request a particular sub, and when I find one that likes my class (STEM/Engineering) I keep calling them! It makes such a difference. #ruraledchat
Back to an earlier tweet - a big one. Our students guide the sub through getting out our skype call, troubleshooting technology, finding the handouts, helping each other with in-person bits, etc. #RuralEdChat
The ability to request someone with whom you've built that trust is so awesome! I've had that gift during my classroom years. The sub who handled my maternity leave was a saint! #RuralEdChat
Engaging them in the process with meaningful responsibilities is really great. I found that creating a culture of kindness and empathy was really important. Lots of discussion about what we wanted to represent and what we wanted the sub to experience too. #ruraledchat
I often ask my kids to practice presentations about the challenges to the sub - botha as practice for Ss, and as orientation for the Sub! win-win :) #ruraledchat
This is a huge part to ensure a sub. I have had subs tell me they chose to cover me because it was me and they knew what to expect from my students. This starts with building the proper relationships with Ss. #ruraledchat
Yup! It reinforces that ultimately they own their education - I'm just here to guide ("just"... as if that's a small responsibility either) #RuralEdChat
#RuralEdChat friends, have we told you how grateful we are for you? Thank you for showing up tonight and rolling with an organic conversation. Does anyone have any topic ideas they'd like to have us cover in a future chat?
#ruraledchat Cross post- Money from feds allow schools to hire subs if they are failing, not if they are successful. Hurts when you need to increase human capitol
School turnaround in SIG grants struggled in rural areas in part because there weren't staffers to replace departing principals & teachers @aejochim@CRPE_UW#BushObamaSchoolReform
Here's a great question, folks? My immediate response is a great deal of understanding of the complexity of the issues! We know you bring that to that table, Steve. :)
