Ever wondered how the role of a substitute teacher is perceived through the eyes of today's high schoolers? Join me as I sit with Mya and Reese, two sophomores with plenty to say about the post-pandemic shifts in their academic world. They'll take you behind the scenes of classroom walls, revealing how the lingering effects of COVID-19 have not only modified their learning experience but also altered the social landscape of their school. Their candid accounts of 'busy work' and digital platforms like Google Classroom will offer you a real-time pulse on the current state of education through a student’s lens.
Ever wondered how the role of a substitute teacher is perceived through the eyes of today's high schoolers? Join me as I sit with Mya and Reese, two sophomores with plenty to say about the post-pandemic shifts in their academic world. They'll take you behind the scenes of classroom walls, revealing how the lingering effects of COVID-19 have not only modified their learning experience but also altered the social landscape of their school. Their candid accounts of 'busy work' and digital platforms like Google Classroom will offer you a real-time pulse on the current state of education through a student’s lens.
Greg:
Greg Collins. Substitute Teachers Lounge. It is the June episode of 2024. I have a treat for you. I interviewed two students before they left for the summer break. We're going to talk about substitute teachers and, who knows, maybe we'll see what else we can get into before the episode is over. Substitute Teachers's Lounge. All right, guys, we are back. Substitute Teacher's Lounge podcast. We have two young ladies we're going to interview here today. They're going to tell you their first name, and what do I want you to tell me? I want you to tell you their first name and what do I want you to? I know I want you to tell me your first name and your favorite food. Okay, so first name and favorite food. I have subbed both of them before. They are now sophomores and at least one of them I started subbing in the sixth grade, but I probably had both of them in middle school. It's just hard to remember these days. So, first name and your favorite food.
Mya:
I'm Mya and I love chocolate-covered strawberries. Okay.
Reese:
I'm Reese and my favorite food is sushi, sushi.
Greg:
That's kind of a contrast. I did buy my wife chocolate-covered strawberries for Mother's Day, so are you proud of me? I am proud, all right, so here's what we're going to do. Mya, I actually interviewed back when she was in the sixth grade, so I'm going to ask you a tough question. You ready? Oh gosh, how has school changed since you were in the sixth grade?
Mya:
What's the?
Greg:
biggest event that happened COVID. Do you think the COVID break has changed the students?
Mya:
Yeah, more kids are lazy, I feel like. I feel like they don't want to work as much because of COVID.
Greg:
Okay, all right, and I'll ask you too, reese, what do you think about today's kids and how it was before COVID? See, how were you guys during COVID? What year was that for you guys?
Reese:
Sixth grade. It started in sixth grade.
Greg:
That was sixth grade. Okay, all right.
Reese:
I feel like just more people. Like before COVID, everybody was like all friends. But then, like after COVID, everybody's just kind of split up into their own little groups.
Greg:
All right, and you all have probably heard me say that I won't do middle school anymore because the kids are just so immature there now, and you guys actually spoiled me because I knew that's how classes should act. So with that in mind, let's get into the nitty gritty here. Tell us don't tell us any names, obviously, but tell us about the worst teacher you ever had and why they were bad. Okay, we will start with Reese describing I shouldn't even say worst the teacher that maybe you liked least. I'll describe it that way. Go ahead.
Reese:
I had this teacher and there was a fight in our classroom and she blamed it on us that we didn't tell her. But we didn't know about the fight and if we would have helped then we would have gotten in trouble. And then we got grounded in her class and we weren't allowed to do anything. We had to do book work like the other classes were watching movies, okay all right, you have anything to add?
Mya:
Mya, I have a teacher this year that just doesn't teach us and just gives us busy work, and I'm somebody who likes to I don't know to be taught actually I agree, I agree. So it's just all busy work and it just gets annoying.
Greg:
Okay, All right. Well, since this is a Substitute Teachers podcast, let's switch over to Substitute Teachers and I want you to describe what you really. First of all, let's say what you really expect a substitute teacher to do when they are teaching your class. What should they be responsible guiding you guys? If anything who wants to talk, I will. They're they.
Reese:
They both have their think face on I think that substitute teachers should look at what the teachers wrote down for them on their plan, and it's usually most likely a worksheet. So they do the worksheet and it's due by the end of class. So just keep everything together and keep the class under control, okay.
Mya:
Yeah, keeping it under control for sure. But then also, just like I don't know, when kids have a sub, normally they just expect to like have a free day, which can be good, but I just expect them to like if everybody gets their work done, let the kids just chill, like you don't have to be strict and not let them like not talk, you know Okay.
Greg:
Okay, I agree with everything both of you said. In fact, some students that I've interviewed before have been much more adamant about saying things like they don't think substitute teachers should make them do anything. So I like the way you said it, and let's go now. What if? Do you feel like you kind of alluded to it, but do you feel like most teachers, if they have a sub, have just left busy work? For you that really doesn't matter?
Reese:
Yes, I think so. I think most teachers I mean some teachers will do like if you're working on a project, they'll let you work on that, but if it's a random like out of nowhere sub day, then most definitely busy work.
Mya:
Okay, any different, any uh back to the teacher I was just talking about. When we have a sub, she decides to give us a full packet that'll be due by the next day.
Greg:
So yeah, I'd say it's just a busy work okay, let me make you a get you to guess something for me. What percentage would you say? I would say, since I'm a substitute teacher, I would say that when I walk in, the paper just says the students assignments are on google classroom. What percentage would you guess? That is what teachers leave their assignments on Google Classroom. What percentage of teachers?
Mya:
I'd say about 75. I'd say about 80.
Greg:
Okay, I'm going to estimate it actually as 90. So I think 90, and of course, I do some middle school too, so it's not just high school teachers, all right. So let me ask this I want you to create the perfect substitute teacher. How would they be? What would you? What would make the perfect substitute teacher?
Reese:
I would describe the perfect substitute teacher as Greg well, be more specific. I don't thank you, but be more specific um, I would just describe them as, like you know, giving the kids their work, letting them do, but keeping the class calm. But also, once they're done with their work, let them talk, let them have a little bit of freedom, but not like let them get out of control okay, all right, anything to add?
Mya:
I'll say letting them do their work if they like. If they want to, they can do it with friends, but then keeping it under control, but then creating a relationship with the class, so interacting with the kids instead of just leaving them alone. I think.
Greg:
Okay, all right. Now, Mya, I'm gonna ask you a question that I asked you when you were in the sixth grade, and I'm gonna let both of you answer, but I remember what her answer was. So what is the worst a substitute teacher ever treated you, and what specifically did they do?
Mya:
I know what your answer is you remember your answer from before. Is it when they said my name was spelled wrong?
Greg:
Well, you did say that but you said something else too, you remember. You want me to remind you? Yeah, okay, I think, if I recall correctly, you shed something to the effect that they were really yelling at you not specifically you, but yelling at the class for their behavior. You might not even know this. I know that day that the administration of the school was telling me that the substitute teacher called up there and complained about the least little thing sharpening pencils in rooms, things like that. So I'm not going to disagree with you. I think let's kick it up a notch then. These days in high school, you're a sophomore, so when you see a substitute teacher walk in that you're not happy about seeing them there. Why is that? And you're a happy person.
Mya:
So that's not a fair question to ask you, but I don't know.
Mya:
There's one time a sub was like being really just like if one person was out of their seat. Whenever they were allowed to be out of their seat, like sharpening a pencil, they'd get really mad at them. So just people that are like that or they're just dramatic, I'm just like. It's not that deep, you don't have to like, you don't have to get mad, because then everybody else has to stay quiet, but then it's like it wasn't their fault. So probably just that.
Greg:
Okay, all right, reese. What do you got to add?
Reese:
Um, I'd say, just like a sub that you know will not let you talk Like I love to talk. So if I see a sub that won't let me talk, just like dang it bad day let me tell you something that I think is interesting.
Greg:
I've actually did a full episode on this. I'm one of those that is of the opinion that teachers need to accept technology and figure out a way to work smartphones more into their curriculum, and because I've probably spent more time, you know, passing notes however, we did it back in my day than you guys spent on your phones today, to be honest. So what do you think teachers should do about smartphones? What's your opinion? We'll start. I feel like I talked to you a long time last question, maya, so let's start with Reese on this one. What should be a teacher's attitude about smartphones? I just talked to a teacher this morning who has a child in the school and she just got her smartphone taken away. So I know and that has nothing related to school, but I know that is a big punishment at a lot of homes. Now, how should teachers handle smartphones?
Reese:
So, like I think it should be okay to be able to use them Like if we're doing like work, independent work, I think it should be fine if we're allowed to listen to music while doing it, because that can help some people focus better.
Greg:
I was always like that too.
Reese:
Yeah, but I also feel like if it does start getting in the way of lessons that you're teaching and kids aren't paying attention, then I think it's fine to be able to keep the phone on the desk, like on your desk, and give it back to them at the end of class, just so the kids can pay attention. But don't like physically be like you can't be on it, don't be mean about it.
Mya:
Just take it, put it on your desk and tell them they can have it at the end of the class, okay, um, I think during lesson time it's important for the teachers to like make sure they're not on their desk, just so there's no like distractions, because I feel like a lot of people will start wondering like, oh, I wonder if this person takes me back yet.
Mya:
So I think during lesson time it's important for them not be on the desk. But then if it's independent work, if they don't get their work done because of because of their phone, then it's their work. If they don't get their work done because of their phone, then it's their fault. Like, if they don't make it in the deadline or for the due date or whatever, then it's their fault because they're on their phone. So I feel like it's more of like now that we're getting older. I think they need to start making it towards our responsibility. So if a kid's on their phone and you've already told them to put it away, and if they don't put it away, like it's their fault if they don't finish their work. But then if it's independent work, let them have it out because, you know, sometimes we have to text our parents, or sometimes we have to take somebody back, but it's not like we're not going to do our work okay, all right.
Greg:
So one final question, and on this question I'm going to actually let you use a teacher's name if you want to. Okay, describe to me who your favorite teacher is and why you ought to see the expressions I'm getting right now. You want me to pause it for a moment? Yes, okay, all right, go ahead.
Mya:
I love Ms Hendricks, ms Patterson and Ms Little all because they all interact with each other, like with the kids in the classroom, but then also because they're very understanding teachers. If there's work that we don't want to do, they'll understand that and will try to help you get through that.
Greg:
Okay, that's a good answer, good answer.
Reese:
Mine will be Ms Alexander and Ms Patterson, because they both just like they. Genuinely you can tell that they care about the students and like they're always asking about your life and like what's going on, like they want to actually have a relationship with their kids and figure out like if everything's okay and just to talk.
Greg:
Okay, good deal. All right, that was our two young ladies today on Substitute Teacher's Lounge. I hope you enjoyed it. Let's see, it took me four years between interviews, so where were you being? You'll be in college in four years, wow.
Mya:
No, it's been five years?
Greg:
Well, you probably. Well, I guess, I'm thinking you were sixth grade then. You're a sophomore now, but you're closer to a junior than you are a sophomore.
Mya:
You're right, all right, tell them all goodbye, see you.
