Sub-Tacular!

Hey y'all! Don't worry-I'm not going all Southern on you or anything! At first I didn't really know what to write about. We have a sub teacher in English today, so I think I'll talk about the different types of subs.


#1: The Enthusiastic One
Description: This type of sub wants nothing more than to please the students and the teacher. They make themselves loud, clear, and positive as they read the agenda left by the teacher to the class. They offer as much feedback as they can to every student. In classes where something has to be taught, they stand up straight at the front of the room and boldly give the lesson, cracking a few weak jokes here and there. In classes where it's a work day (like today), they stride around the room, peering over shoulders with their hands behind their backs.

The Enthusiastic One (image by The Atlantic)

#2: The Ghost
Description: This sub makes one appearance: to tell the class what they are supposed to do. After, the class is set loose to do their stuff. The sub remains in the classroom, but sits at the teacher's desk and disappears into his/her book. Usually, Ghost Subs read (which is the case of the current sub I have), but other silent activities include knitting (rainbow scarves), fiddling with their phones, and gazing blankly at students.

The Ghost (image by Discovery Education)

#3: The Temper
Description: Their only motivation is to get paid and please the teacher. Usually old ladies (no offense to old lady subs), they do their absolute best to keep students in line. When they are "teaching" and hear so much as a peep from students, they waste five minutes to yell at the class. Any students that object are thrown at the principal. Who cares about the teacher's rules? All students much follow the SUB'S rules when this sub is in charge.

The Temper (image by Keep Me Posted)

#4 The Sweet Sub
Description: Sweet Subs must spend a lot of their money buying Halloween candy. They are usually the most favorite type of sub because kids get candy for doing work or answering questions correctly. They're always very laid back and briefly skim over the teacher's agenda before actually starting the job. Kids almost always behave well because it means getting food.

The Sweet Sub (image by nursetogether.com)

#5 The Confused
Description: The teacher either misplaced the agenda or never wrote one, so this sub spends half the class period walking around blankly and asking students what they are supposed to do or what they are supposed to be working on. Sometimes the students lie and say they are supposed to be doing something fun, such as watching a movie. The bewildered sub then either puts on the movie or another students tell him/her what they are actually supposed to be doing.

The Confused (image by Rileyadam Voth)

Do you recognize any of these subs?? It's pretty rare to have an awesome sub. Most are Ghosts. If I was a sub, I'd probably be a Ghost too. [insert creepy ghost sounds]

By the way, if you would like to know more about substitute teaching or if you might be interested in being one, click here. ;)