I unexpectedly had to have a sub last week... and she was a little nervous to be in the art room.
She had quite a bit of trouble with one of my classes in particular- problems that I have never had with them. They are generally a very well behaved class- there were a few others that I was worried about but not this one. They had trouble listening, following directions, 2 boys cut their art shirts (!), throwing things, etc. I am really shocked that they would behave this way and don't want to let it go just because I wasn't here.
Anyway, my question is this: If you have a sub and there are behavior problems what do you do? She didn't know which kids they were- so I can't address individual students. Also they are 1st graders and I had the sub last Monday and don't have them until this Friday (a long time for 1st grade)! Their teacher had them write apology letters- however, I want them to know that this is not an acceptable way to treat another teacher.
That is something I have not experienced as a teacher, however I have been in the sub's shoes. It is aweful. Part of me thinks as a sub and not having much experience, I didn't know how to handle the situation. Now that I have more experience, I would know how to handle the situation - no tolerance. If I were the sub now, I would have sent them out. So, maybe it was the sub's inexperience that showed his/her vulnerability. Students know this, and take advantage of it. Maybe have a good talk with them about how they would feel if they came into a new place and people were mean to them - reminisce with them (in a 1st grader fashion)
ReplyDelete