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Long-term subs not 'blooming idiots' as portrayed

Re: Substitutes unqualified for full takeover, Jan. 22 letter to the editor from Kari Bishop:

Here is the deal with substitute teachers:

As a substitute, I was highly offended by this letter. Let's just start out by saying if teachers were paid better, there would be no need for long-term subs.

In many instances, substitutes are retired teachers, young people working through college to become teachers, or, as in my case, concerned parents who want to work the same times that their children are in school and be involved in their education.

A long-term substitute cannot be a "blooming idiot." They need to be highly qualified to work in the same classroom for 11 consecutive days or more. This requirement is a minimum two-year degree.

As for getting paid minimum wage, yes, the writer is close to being correct on this topic. We get paid a little more than minimum wage to teach your children, grade papers, have parent conferences, assign homework, make lesson plans and do report cards. Is that a fair income for a "blooming idiot?" I don't think so, nor do any of my co-subs, whom I have worked with for several years.

A substitute's job is not as easy as you may think, especially for a long-term sub. As a matter of fact, I have come across some people who have tried this profession (yes, it is a profession to some of us) and have failed because it is not so easy.

Here is the question for Ms. Bishop: Would you rather have a highly qualified long-term substitute teacher in your child's class, or no teacher at all?

Substitute teachers must be well educated

Re: Substitutes unqualified for full takeover, Jan. 22 letter to the editor:

The letter writer needs to get her facts straight. Substitute teachers doing long-term subbing must have a degree. You cannot just have a high school diploma. I was a substitute teacher for five years. I guess the letter writer would put me in the so-called "idiot" category because I have only a high school diploma with little college. I could not do long-term for that reason.

I know I am a good sub. I really loved my job and still miss being at the school and being able to help. I was told by many people that I was an excellent sub. The kids adored me, and I got along with all the teachers I worked with mainly at one school. Because I did my job well, I was requested by teachers who felt I was a good person.

I subbed in elementary school wherever needed, from pre-K to fifth and also the specials (music, art, etc.). I worked hard at my job and took much pride in what I did. Being a substitute teacher is not an easy job. It takes a certain person to be a sub. Not any old "idiot" could do it. It is almost harder than being a regular teacher because you have usually only one day to get the respect from the students that a teacher has a full year to gain. You are also the one filling the shoes for that teacher for that period of time, which is also not easy because the kids don't know you and some feel a little insecure about your being there. Teachers and students both need to feel comfortable in the classroom.

As for long-term subs, my mother also is a substitute teacher who is very well educated and has her doctorate. She does long-term subbing and is going to be getting her certification to be a teacher. She is more than qualified to sub long-term. She has already done so without a problem.

When you become a sub, you go through a short training class. It's not just a "quiz," as the letter writer said. Trust me, if you go into a school and do a poor job as a sub, the school will not call you back.

Just because I don't have a degree, I am capable enough to work in a classroom. The kids in school looked forward to seeing me in their room. I was always able to teach the lessons left for me. I always did what was expected.

I plan to go back to school to become a teacher. When I have a sub in my room, with a degree or without, I will feel confident they will be able to handle the job.

Subs are not taking over; they are just helping out.

Exceptions to rule exist where subs are concerned

Re: Substitutes unqualified for full takeover, Jan. 22 letter to the editor:

Ms. Bishop should realize there are exceptions to the rule. My wife is a substitute teacher in the Hernando County school system. She has a bachelor of arts in elementary education from St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, Ind., where she graduated cum laude. She then started her teaching career in Minoa Township, Pa., where she taught third grade until she left to raise a family. She has a New Jersey Teachers License and substituted in the Jersey City and Parsippany school systems after her family was raised. She also has a degree in paralegal studies from the New Jersey Institute for Paralegal Studies.

Upon taking early retirement from paralegal work and locating to Spring Hill, she returned to the education field, where she is a substitute teacher. As you can see, Ms. Bishop, not all substitute teachers fall into the category of not qualified, not certified.

She does make a little more than minimum wage because of her qualifications. She certainly is not subbing for the money, but more for a love of teaching.

Ms. Bishop, would you like to discuss elementary education issues with this (nonqualified) sub? You might have to change your views.

Substitutes play important role in school system

Re: Substitutes unqualified for full takeover, Jan. 22 letter to the editor:

Substitute teachers are a valuable asset to any school these days. They get called in at a moment's notice. At times there are no lesson plans for them to follow, so they have to come up with something to fill the time. They have to put up with the disrespect from students who think they do not have to behave because there is a sub in the room.

Substitutes usually do not get the standard planning and lunch time the regular teachers get. They are sent from one class to another to cover for absent teachers. The pay is a slap in the face for all the work they are required to do. This is especially true for the long-term substitutes. They are expected to become the teacher without the background knowledge of a certified teacher, as well as all the required paperwork, and without much guidance.

As for substitutes not having a degree, this is not the case. Many of them are retired from a previous profession and have a degree in business, psychology, teaching and other fields.

The substitutes should be commended for all they do for our schools and for our students. By the way, if teachers were paid a better wage, we would not need all the long-term substitutes filling these positions. Professionals would actually want to teach, which is a wonderful and fulfilling career.

With Allains back, their food should be limited

Re: Allains' case reaches the court once again, Jan. 24 Times:

Now that Arthur "Tommy" and Lori Allain have been extradited to Hernando County, I have a suggestion regarding their meal plan during their stay in the Hernando County Jail:

One spoonful a day.

Gaming rooms shouldn't be taken out of county

Gaming rooms give people a chance to get out and enjoy a little, meet new people and to win a little free food. I can't see where they hurt anyone.

If people can't control their spending, then we should take away sweets and whiskey and bars.

We should have free choice about what we spend in gaming rooms. I enjoy them and don't want to go to Tampa when they are right here in my back yard.

[Last modified January 25, 2006, 00:55:16]