Category Archives: Substitute Teaching

Classes and Courses, Substitute Teaching, Teaching

Future Substitute Teachers!

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First, please note that the Substitute Teacher Workshop in Livermore Falls, originally scheduled for September 13, is now scheduled for September 28, 2022. And there may be a few spots left in the class! or contact Spruce Mountain Adult Education for more information!

The process of becoming a substitute has changed a little. The entire process is now best started and managed on the Maine Department of Education website. I’ve written a one-page overview describing the process. In some ways, it’s simpler, but it also means completing many of the steps online, including completing an application for your local district on the website. Check out my overview on .

The DOE has adopted the term “Guest School Staff Member” to describe substitutes. If you know me, you won’t be surprised that I have some thoughts about that. Ultimately, I’m more concerned about what the kids call me. I shared an opinion on this two years ago. Check out “?” to start your thinking. You’ll also hear a story from one of my favorite days as a substitute.

Some may know that subs must renew their credentials every five years, including going through the entire process again. Technically, we can’t “renew.” It’s not necessary to understand this. It’s necessary to do it.

As I am currently in the process, I haven’t experienced everything under the new system. That seems strange as I enter my second decade as a sub, but things do change. So far, the process has been relatively painless. It requires some effort and patience but mostly just follow the instructions, even when they don’t seem to make sense.

If you are considering becoming a sub (or, if you prefer, “Guest Teacher”), dive in. There are plenty of opportunities and many rewards. Note that in addition to the Spruce Mountain program, I’ll be teaching the workshop with MSAD 53 Adult Education in Pittsfield and RSU 19 Adult Education in Newport. This workshop is not a requirement, but I’m confident you’ll find it helpful!

Classes and Courses, Substitute Teaching, Teaching

Fall 2022 Substitute Teacher Workshops

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The workbook is included in your workshop!

This fun program prepares people interested in serving as substitute teachers or ed techs. There will be plenty of “hands-on learning” that will include important classroom management techniques and teaching strategies. We’ll also cover some legal aspects and help you develop your own “sub pack” of resources and an action plan to get you started on the right foot! If you’ve been subbing, this is a great opportunity for a “refresher” and new ideas. Attendees will earn a certificate recognized by many local districts. One attendee comments, “…very engaging with a lot of real-life scenarios. I came away with new information even after subbing for a year.”

This fall, three Adult Education Programs are offering the workshop.

  • Spruce Mountain Adult Ed in Livermore Falls is offering the one-day workshop on September 13, 2022.
  • MSAD 53 Adult Ed in Pittsfield offers part one on Tuesday night, September 20, 2022. Part two is scheduled for Thursday night, September 22, 2023. To be eligible for a certificate of completion, you must attend both nights.*
  • RSU 19 Adult Ed in Newport offers part one on Monday night, October 17, 2022. Part two is scheduled for Wednesday night, October 20, 2022. To be eligible for a certificate of completion, you must attend both nights*.

*Note that a third evening is included offering the required Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training.

Classes and Courses, Learning, Substitute Teaching, Teaching

Here’s WHat I think!

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Well, some of it, anyway. It seemed appropriate to verbalize my teaching philosophy since I’ve been teaching for so many years!

“I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear.”

Joan Didion

It also occurred to me that some of my students might be interested in seeing something concrete. So after much thinking, consulting with a few respected colleagues in academia (Thanks Jack Falvey and Tony Russo!), I seem to have found out some of the important things I think and believe about teaching and learning. Here’s how it starts:

“When I challenged myself to describe my teaching philosophy, I remembered announcing that I was quitting teaching a few years ago. I knew I was on the right track when an adult student who’d just finished an advanced college degree announced at the beginning of our first class, “I’m tired of learning.” I honestly believed she was tired of being taught. I had to believe that. Learning is fun. Maybe if I quit teaching, she’d learn that.

Tony will, I hope, notice that I avoided dysentery of the keyboard. The entire thing is less than 500 words.!

Bullying, Classes and Courses, Learning, Mental Health, Mental Hygiene, Personal Growth, Small People, Substitute Teaching, Teaching

Was the Big Bad Wolf Bad?

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Sometimes I do suspect the planets align or karma does, in fact, exist. A recent conversation with an old high school chum ended with her announcing she was going to take her dog for an evening walk He is a bit territorial and was anxious to see if Mr. Fox was trespassing. She thought it might not end well.

This triggered a memory that was quickly followed by a seemingly unrelated quote posted on social media.

The memory was of a fun day substitute teaching “language arts” in a sixth-grade class. The assignment was to group read a book together and discuss it. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the title of the book. I’ve since found several versions based on the three little pigs, but this one was written about the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood. It forced us to re-consider the tale from the wolf’s point of view. He narrated the story from his perspective with a plea for understanding.

We had a very intense and engaged discussion after finishing the book. The kids explored the wolf’s perspective with many admitting there were some things they hadn’t considered before. There were some friendly arguments, a few “hadn’t thought about that,” and 100% participation. (The objective of the activity was to encourage creative thinking and explore alternative viewpoints.)

After discussion, I decided to take a class vote. The question was, “How many of you now feel somewhat sorry for the wolf?” I don’t remember how many kids there were… probably around twenty. But I do remember the results of the vote.

One brave boy raised his hand indicating he thought differently about the wolf after reading the story and discussing it. The rest looked at him with what can best be described as incredulity and disbelief. Before concluding the activity was a failure, let me quickly add that no one attacked him or called him stupid. They understood he simply had a different viewpoint or perspective. They didn’t try to bully him into changing his mind. Another successful lesson.

But why did only one person change his perspective? I think the answer to that lies in this quote.

“The reason so many people misunderstand so many issues is not that these issues are so complex, but that people do not want a factual or analytical explanation that leaves them emotionally unsatisfied. They want villains to hate and heroes to cheer—and they don’t want explanations that fail to give them that.”

Thomas Soweit

Most of those kids simply did not want to give up the villain they had known since that story was read to them when they were little–he IS the big BAD wolf–that’s my story and I’m sticking to it! And I guess that’s okay because at least they had figured out that their classmate who thought differently wasn’t stupid. Some actually admitted they could see things differently but they just couldn’t change their opinion.

If the kids can get it, why do we adults have so much trouble?