Real Talk
I picked up my phone from the bedside table and stared at the screen through sleepy eyes. A feeling of dread washed over me as I pulled open the app for the substitute teacher portal. At 6 am, I knew finding a sub would be a shot in the dark, but I made the post nonetheless and emailed our school secretary to let her know I wouldn’t make it in that day.
In my other arm, I cradled my sick baby girl, who’d conveniently spiked a fever around 2 am. There was no leaving her today; she was far too sick for daycare and my husband was on a work trip. I knew I was right where I needed to be, snuggled up to her, making a pediatrician appointment for later that morning. Nevertheless, I felt absolutely terrible for the workload I’d undoubtedly place on my coworkers — especially if I couldn’t find a substitute teacher and my class had to be split between other teachers all day. The thought made me feel so guilty. We had each other’s backs, of course, but I KNOW that the extra responsibility of additional students makes for a long work day.
Just then, while I was mid-spiral over the whole ordeal and simultaneously on hold with the pediatric nurse on call, I received a notification that a substitute had already accepted the position. Not to mention, it was someone who’d subbed for me before?! AND had done an incredible job?!
The relief washed over me as I sent her a quick message reminding her of where my sub plans are located inside my classroom. She truly saved the day.
The greatest gift you could give this teacher? The ability to solely focus on my baby when she needs me.
That’s why substitute teachers are the unsung heroes of the education system.
A Day in the Life of a Subtitute Teacher
Think about it. Substitute teachers come into our classrooms not knowing what to expect. They often have little “heads up” on where they will be spending their day, accepting positions at 6 am sharp and clocking in around 7:30. Sometimes they walk into the classroom of a teacher who’s well-prepared, equipped with sub plans and prepared lessons for the day. Other times, they arrive to a last-minute emergency situation where they get nothing but chaos and a “good luck”.
As a teacher, substitutes are just about my favorite people in the world. Without them, there’d be no guilt-free PTO. There is nothing more valuable to me, as a teacher, than to have someone relieve me of the feeling that I am “irreplaceable.” I need a break more than I need a badge of honor for being invaluable.
It’s no secret that good substitute teachers are in high demand. There’s not always enough selfless individuals willing to accept low pay in exchange for the high-intensity role of subbing. I feel as if people assume it’s much akin to babysitting, but don’t be fooled. Substitute teachers are often responsible for hundreds of students coming in and out of their classroom in a single day. Not to mention that these students WILL absolutely test their patience and discipline in hopes of getting a “free day” simply because there’s a substitute. Imagine knowing this and STILL being willing to bridge the gap for us teachers who need them.
Substitutes are Essential Workers
As far as roles in the school are concerned, substitute teachers are at the top of the most-essential list. Although it’s assumed that they mostly benefit the teachers, they benefit EVERYONE.
Let me paint a picture. There are no substitutes available. As a result, students are split into already-full classrooms, making them overflow loudly. This adds more stress onto the teachers at school, which pushes back needed instructional time out of necessity. Behavior issues skyrocket in these crowded, noisy environments. Administrators are being pulled from their tasks at hand to deal with an abundance of complaints. Teachers, administrators, and students are all functioning at heightened stress levels, which is when issues begin to inevitably rise.
Don’t get me wrong, a teacher’s absence does disrupt the flow of learning for the students in a way. However, we’re only human and life is imperfect; substitute teachers are undoubtedly the best solution in this circumstance. They’re entering into a less-than-ideal situation and making the most of it…and that’s their superpower.
So next time you find yourself in the presence of a substitute teacher —whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or bystander — remember that they’re doing important work in the world of education. They are often the glue that holds the day together. Today, they are the reason I am holding my baby girl. They deserve the world.
In the world of education, substitute teachers are the true unsung heroes.
