Friday, May 29, 2009
Snubbed Sub…
“You’d think that seniority would count for something…,” she said exiting the teachers lounge.
I didn’t know who she was when she came in, but she initiated the conversation by asking for whom I was subbing today. I replied, assuming that she was one of the teachers at the school. It never hurts to establish a presence in the teacher’s lounge that might lead to future assignments.
“It’s pretty tough getting assignments this time of year, isn’t it? I’ve only received a few calls all this month…,” she told me.
I agreed that in previous years, the assignments pretty much dried up the last two weeks of the school year, but this month and last was an exception for me. In fact, I told her, I’m subbing the last week of school in a 4th grade class and handing out their final report cards.
“What school district did you work for before retiring and subbing?”
When I disclosed that I hadn’t ever worked in the schools before, she seemed a bit surprised.
“How long have you been subbing since retirement?”
My reply that I had five school years subbing experience under my belt didn’t impress.
“I’ve been subbing for nine years now and even did some long term assignments for several months! You’d think that seniority would count for something...”
I was so dumbfounded by that remark that I didn’t say anything. My tape delayed brain kicked in as the door closed with a mentally conceited rejoinder: “Well, maybe I’m better at it than you! Na Na Na Na Na!!!!”
It was only on the drive home that a different reason came to mind. Maybe it’s not that I’m “better”, but I sure might be “cheaper” to hire than she is.
As a lowly “30-day Emergency Credentialed Substitute”, I am not allowed to work for any single teacher any more than 30 days in any single school year. That means I can’t work any long term assignments in excess of 30 days.
Her comment about long term subbing indicated that she holds an actual teaching credential. As such she most likely gets, as the rumor has it, a higher daily pay rate than I do for ALL subbing assignments.
All else being equal, which would a perpetually, funds-deficit school district prefer to hire for essentially the same job?
Yep, I win…(kinda)!
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3 comments:
I am the lowest on the totem pole here in Nebraska. Here, you can have a "Local Substitute Certificate" allowing you to work up to 40 days in each school district you apply in. The application fee is $45.00 for each school. You have to renew your certificates every three years. We get paid the same as subs with teaching degrees which is $95.00 a day in most small schools. In the bigger cities, subs make $150.00 a day, but most big schools do not accept subs except those with teaching degrees.
The districts I work in pay the same whether you're credentialed or emergency credentialed.
Maybe the reason she doesn't get as many jobs as you is because you're better! I also think the woman you encountered doesn't get as many assignments as you because she takes the attitude she displayed with you into the classroom with her. Who wants that?!
I have been at this for a while in Washington State..I am not a traditional educator--but it has been quite a journey. I know what the certificate says about long-term assignments--but one year they said I would only work long terms and I did.... Some years it was strictly day to day...others were almost like a permanent staff Teacher.. Your blog is excellent... I have experienced every one of those bad class scenarios....You give it your best, but the Superintendent could not control those type classes.
I swear I must have covered extra classes at least 90 to 95% of my time as a Guest/Substitute Teacher....You really have to pace yourself, and get lots and lots of rest
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