The Sub Tub, Part Deux
In an earlier post, I wrote about the absolute and crucial need to have emergency sub plans in the form of a Sub Tub, ready to go as soon as possible at the beginning of the year. You will get SOME sleep back on that one, I promise.
As a consideration of what should go into the Sub Tub, you will want to give a heads-up to the person in charge of your class for the day, about certain students who may push some subs to the edge may need more attention than others. This is essential if you do not have a para/assistant in your room that can help an outsider navigate the different personalities of the class.
The FIRST thing the sub should see as he/she opens the Sub Tub, is the folder labeled in large thick marker, “Confidential to sub: VERY IMPORTANT INFO, PLEASE READ” FOLDER (herein referred to as the “VIIPRF”, because we do love our acronyms in education, don’t we?). Inside the VIIPRF, paste head shots, the full names, and a brief description of the reason that student is highlighted below the photo. You must remember that many subs are not familiar with your school/district/education jargon, and should not be expected to read and digest a student’s IEP with understanding 5 minutes before students come galloping into the classroom. You want to give the BULLETS, summaries, and essentials. Short and sweet, like “Requires redirection” or “Allergic to peanuts…Epi-pen in Nurse’s office”. Here’s a look at one I have used. Names and faces have been blacked out for everyone’s protection!
It was hastily written the night before a scheduled absence, hence the scrawl and lack of type-A aesthetic design. (Get your Sub Tub ready now, people. Seriously, I know whereof I speak.) Don’t forget to add the students that are your “little teachers” and will fall all over themselves to help, and kids with medical needs (bathroom, Epi-pen, etc.). Obviously this is a confidential folder, and make that clear to the sub.
I had several subs mention to me how helpful the VIIPRF was, and how it helped them know what to expect, and how to handle it. They actually wanted to come back and sub again! And isn’t that just being respectful to the sub “guest teacher”? I’ve been a sub, and it’s just plain crappy to leave a sub with bare bones (read:no) instructions or a nary a heads up that Mr. Cranky Pants has a tendency to throw chairs, no?
Your subs will thank you. Coming soon…The Sub Tub, Part Trois: The Guest Teacher Handbook.
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Ok, Nance, I love this idea…. however, I have some thoughts. I know all of this information can be written “nicely”, the thing is, I know not all subs are “cleared” to have all that information. The other thing I worry about is that many subs are former teachers/mothers that tend to live in the school area… many know these kids… don’t confidentiality rules restrict from giving too much information? I’m just not sure I would feel safe leaving all of this information around, knowing that many subs will just leave it on the desk later. I have been a sub too, and I agree it would be very helpful to have, but as the teacher not sure I feel comfortable leaving it.
If you work with a good team, can you just ask them to give a heads up to the sub about and “problem” children?
I’m curious of other’s thoughts on this topic….
@Erica: I understand where you are coming from. I say, do what you are comfortable with, and check with your principal/supervisor for any clarification of your district’s confidentiality policies. The couple of times I had a sub in class – before I had created this folder – were disasters. One was actually upset that she hadn’t been informed of the student(s) with the severe behavior problems, and the poor thing was shell-shocked from the experience. We could rely on our colleagues to gives the heads up, but again, that depends on how reliable/accurate/present they are at any given moment. Yes, most subs cannot/should not be reading IEP’s, but I believe they should be informed of special accommodations or behavior plans that are in place. I had several students in that situation yet did not have a para/assistant in my room. At minimum, I would want my sub to know which students have medical needs and how to deal with them (but again, check on your district’s confidentiality policy). Bottom line: Do what you are comfortable with. With an “easy” class and a well-oiled-machine of a school, you may not even need the folder.