Ordinary folks don’t understand that often it is more difficult for us teachers to be absent than to be there. Conferences and school business necessitate that we be out however so we muct prepare sub lesson plans. I am very fortunate to have a wife who is an excellent sub. All I need to do is lay out my lesson plan book and let her take the wheel. Unkown subs, on the other hand, require meticulous plans and explanation in writing. In some cases they also require extra copying after school at the copy machine to get them a mountain of materials to keep them and the class out of trouble.
The next time you hear a student say there was a sub, don;t think the teacher is taking a lazy day off. For example, tomorrow I will be at a district meeting. I’ll be wondering how my class is doing all day long.
Do you have any memories of subs in your class as a child?