The Bus Stop Blog by STEDI.org

New STEDIcast Posted

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:56:00 -0600

A few weeks ago I posted an article about Mark Ellis who has substitute taught for 1,000 days in a row! I called and interviewed him on how he has been able to work every day. He has some pretty interesting insights on how to get substitute teaching jobs. You can find the STEDIcast at: STEDI.org/subs/podcasts.

Substitute Teacher Quiz

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:20:00 -0600

When I was a teenager, I loved taking the quizzes in magazines. That's the first thing I would do, in fact, each time I got my subscription in the mail. (Who doesn't want to find out if they are too controlling...or if they wear too much makeup...or if their crush likes them?) So in honor of those pastime quizzes, I'd like to put one out there for you all. We'll call this one, "Should I Really be Substitute Teaching?" 1. If a student throws a paper airplane at you before you even introduce yourself to the class, you would:
a) pull out your bullhorn and say, "Drop and give me twenty!"
b) say, "Sweet! How did you make that?"
c) take the student aside to tell them it wasn't appropriate and you require more respect.
2. When the teacher next door to you says, "Wow...good luck today" your first thought is:
a) "Oh yeah? Meet me behind the dumpsters after school and we'll see how much luck I need."
b) "I'm outta here!"
c) "I don't need luck. Have you seen my game face?"
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Book Arsenal I

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:51:00 -0600

by Theresa Milstein Theresa Milstein has a B.A and M.A. in History, and is certified to teach Social Studies. Before becoming a substitute teacher, she had been a part-time teaching assistant in the seventh and fifth-grades, and was an extended term substitute in the fifth-grade for three months. She became a substitute to get more teaching experience in the upper grades and help her make contacts in other schools while she looks for a full-time position. Visit her blog "Substitute Teacher's Saga" at http://theresamilstein.blogspot.com.
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."- Oh! The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
I've come across other substitute teacher blogs and had a commenter on my blog state that when there are inadequate plans or the students finish their work early, the subs are struggling to find a way to fill in what feels like e n d l e s s t i m e.
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Substitute Teachers in the News

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:59:00 -0600

A couple of interesting articles about substitute teachers: One substitute teacher hosted a Jeopardy tournament at the school where he substitute taught. I think it's impressive when a substitute teacher goes above and beyond the normal working day. Often times people substitute teach to subsidize other careers. And I thought teachers lived at the school...

Starting With the Man in the Mirror

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:52:00 -0600

Michael Jackson was an incredible singer/songwriter/performer, one of my favorites actually. In my opinion, his most inspirational song is Man in the Mirror. I find the words so moving, they really do make me want to be a better person. I especially love the chorus: I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change. [More]

Schools Kill Creativity

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:33:00 -0600

By Donny Merrill Donny Merrill is currently the Creative Director at STEDI.org. He has been a graphic designer for ten years, and has won a Telly award in 2004 for a documentary movie he filmed. He is working on getting a BFA in both Graphic Design and Secondary Art Education from Utah State University. He hopes to teach art in the public high schools of Utah. This movie from TED.com with Sir Ken Robinson will be an inspiration for me when I become a teacher. I only hope that I will be able to see and help students to become the leaders of tomorrow, and do the things that they love. [More]

Hot Off the Press

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:51:00 -0600

Scholastic Inc. and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation just released a study titled: Primary Sources: America's Teachers on America's Schools. This study surveyed more than 40,000 public school teachers and their thoughts on education reform. Scholastic recognized that teachers are "on the frontline of delivering education in the classroom, the reform movement will not succeed without their active support. Primary Sources is a step in ensuring that teachers' voices are part of this important conversation." says Margery Mayer, President of Scholastic Education. [More]

Revisiting Dumbledore

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:48:00 -0600

Albus Dumbledore is such a complex and amazing character which is why there are so many lessons we can learn from him. Most likely this won't be the last article you see about him. (Yep, I am just that obsessed.) In this article we'll focus on Dumbledore's ability to believe the best in his colleagues. One of the big mysteries of the Harry Potter series is whether Severus Snape is good or bad; was he Dumbledore's man or was he loyal to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? Through the entire series the readers become increasingly uncertain of Professor Snape's allegiance. Dumbledore, however, never questions Snape's integrity. [More]

Hot Off the Press

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:50:00 -0600

A fun article about substitute teaching. Does this sound like your day?

The Wisdom of Dr. Seuss

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:17:00 -0600

"Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope." – Dr. Seuss Dr. Seuss is a great storyteller. I am constantly amazed at rhyme and wit. I think beneath his rhyming, he shares some really significant ideas. Following are a few "Seussisms" and lessons we might learn from them. Quote #1: In the classic Dr. Seuss story, Horton Hears a Who, Horton, the elephant, states that "A person's a person, no matter how small." [More]

Lessons You've Learned

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:32:00 -0600

I found this list "88 Truths I've Learned About Life." Which items do you most agree with? Is there something you would add to this list? Are there any of his ideas that can be applied to the classroom? I look forward to your insights!

Hot Off the Press

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:01:00 -0600

One of the best classroom management techniques that substitute teachers can use is to be continually walking around the classroom monitoring student behavior. The New York Times offers another reason substitute teachers should be walking around instead of sitting at the permanent teacher's desk.

Working with Students with Special Needs

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:09:00 -0600

Before you accept an assignment to work in a Special Education classroom, view this talk by Aimee Mullins. Aimee is an athlete, model, and actress who has thrived in the opportunity that adversity has presented.

Hot Off the Press

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:07:00 -0600

Bobby Scales is a major league baseball player and a substitute teacher! I wonder if he uses the "three strikes, you're out" rule when he's teaching. :)

Six Little Words That Can Transform a Classroom

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:03:00 -0600

by Rosemary Brittain Rosemary Brittain spent more than twenty-eight years as an administrator in higher education. Since leaving the academic environment, she has transferred her skills to freelance writing and editing. She also substitute teaches and tutors, primarily in reading and language arts. Rosemary holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a Liberal Arts degree from West Los Angeles College. For more information stop by Rosemary's website. I substitute taught for a second grade teacher once who taught me six very valuable words, "I'm looking for my best students." Addressing a rather chaotic class, she did not yell over the din, but spoke in a normal, upbeat tone. Her words instantly transformed the classroom. [More]