We’ve all experienced that moment of relief when we walk into a classroom and see a substitute in place of our teacher. The sigh of relief, knowing that this class is likely to be less productive, is always gratifying. However, as we transition to high school and the workload intensifies, the once-loved “sub days” become a source of anxiety. We used to love having our so-called “free blocks” to socialize with friends and occasionally even work on assignments for other classes. However, when every class counts towards tests and possibly life-changing grades our once-loved “sub days” become a problem. We need substitutes that can stand in for teachers instead of just supervising the classes.
In middle school, I loved having subs because it meant I had extra time to play games on my computer. In high school, every single class matters. Missing a social studies class in ninth grade, a biology class in tenth grade, or any other class during the IB program could lead to difficulties in upcoming assessments, requiring us to catch up on our own time. Teachers have their positions in certain subjects for a reason; they’re experts on it. They are able to answer any questions you might have on the subject and guide you back onto the right track if you ever falter. The teacher has a different rhythm and class plan for different groups of students, some might like more lecture-style classes while others prefer individual work – our teachers know this. Our teachers have usually worked with us students for a while, and consequently are aware of various teaching methods that fit best with each group of students. Substitute teachers are usually unable to keep up with that, and it’s not their obligation to either. They might not understand the subject or even, most importantly, understand the kids. This is not due to a lack of trying but instead from the simple fact that they are new to the environment. Several teachers, that I now have a wonderful connection with, used to be that ‘new teacher’ that was feeling lost and out of place but who now have really become a part of the community.
Last year, many teachers were pulled out of class for ‘deeper learning’ workshops aimed at improving their teaching skills. While this initiative was intended to benefit students, it inadvertently caused harm. Many teachers consecutively missed important lessons leaving students unprepared. While we have to consider that these workshops are part of their job and something that should be done during work hours, the amount of time lost during classes is usually irreplaceable. When substitute teachers are unable to teach a class, they not only impact the block that they are teaching but also everyone else. If a class is behind schedule and hasn’t taken a test yet, other classes won’t be able to receive their grades. Retakes will be postponed, and several students will be behind due to needing to allocate time to past subjects in preparation for the retakes.
It is inevitable for teachers to miss school days, they are, above all, human beings; teachers get sick, they have losses, and they deserve as much time off as anyone else. It is important that we take that into consideration and put more effort into training substitute teachers efficiently. If we have a social studies teacher who is sick, we need a substitute who can teach a social studies class. Having a good variability of subs available is crucial for a productive environment.
Sometimes the absences come up just a few hours before school, but there have also been cases when the administration being aware of the absence for months at this point, “trying to find a maths person, which is virtually impossible, so what do we look for next, we look for somebody who actively works in the classroom” (Fiona Cope, High School Assistant Principal). We need substitutes that can ‘guide’ the class, at the very least.
I have studied at Graded for almost 13 years and know that all subs have a specialty, whether it be Portuguese, history, or art. There is at least one substitute who is an expert on any topic being taught at Graded. We need for there to be better communication between both the subs and the teachers to ensure we are utilizing the available tools in the best way possible because the way things are currently is hindering everyone.
