I just had a school secretary email me to say that one of my classes was ‘the worse class the sub had ever taught’. And that I should review class expectations with them. It’s a small 50 min reading class of 10 students (5th). About half of them receive SPED services. I haven’t had anything but minor off task behavior with this class before. I reached out to the sub to ask what happened so I can address it, but haven’t heard anything back. How should I address this with my kids today?

I would ignore it if specific names were not mentioned. Group punishments or lectures that are not specific don’t impact behavior. But next time I would tell them the substitute will be leaving a list of names of the students who worked hard and those students will get a privilege. Then ask the sub for a list of hard workers. I also leave meaningful work and tell my students all sub work is a report card grade. (Even if it’s not. 😂) Good luck! I have a rowdy group this year too. Be persistent and they will conform.

Sounds like you have already established a rapport with them and that they respect and like you. I'd do all of the above, but also maybe tell them that when they behave poorly, YOU get in trouble for it. The guilt factor might work in your favor. Good luck!

My concern would be, why am I discussing this with a secretary?

Kids always act up for the sub, unfortunately, and with a sub who isn't used to SPED I can imagine it was difficult. Yes, it's definitely something that should be brought to the students' attention. I wouldn't scold them necessarily, especially since you don't really know what happened, but maybe ask the class for some feedback e.g. "what could you have done differently?" because maybe there was misunderstanding on both sides.

Have a box of donuts, read the sub report on the class, look at them and slowly close the lid and put the box away. Then eat them with neighboring staff after school.

I mentioned this to one of our behavior coaches and asked him what to do. He looked at me and said, “yeeeeeeea, but to be fair, I get the sense that he doesn’t really know what he’s doing.”

He also emailed me back with the names of my two girls with big personalities as kids who were ‘highly disrespectful’, but I learned from my previous section that he read the wrong chapter of the book with them, so I bet money those girls were trying to explain that he was skipping a chapter in the novel.

The sun also said my girl with sensory regulation issues ‘was moving all over the place strangely’ and my boy with adhd ‘wouldn’t attend to anything he did or said’…

Soooo. 🤷🏻‍♀️

It seems to me they are desperately trying to keep the building sub, even though he may not be suited to the position. Probably because they don’t think they can fill the position with someone else…

Me…I would approach them with a “what happened yesterday?? I got a weird message but I can’t believe it would be about you guys! I thought ‘this can’t be right’.”

See what they say and then ask about specifics. That way they have a voice and a chance and shows that you are on their side but also they messed up. Let them explain. Then let them select what happens next.

I'd definitely mention it to them, letting them know you heard about their terrible behavior and you're very disappointed. And as you mentioned, ask the next sub to take down names of those who are acting out. Let your students know in advance that next time you will be getting names and issuing consequences. Sounds like they just thought they could get away with acting out because it was a sub. Once they know the gig is up, they will likely behave better next time.

You should let the kids know what the sub told you. For sure one of them will tell you what happened. Best of luck!

Retired special education teacher. I once had a sub leave a note about teaching math that the kiddos could not do. The kids were having trouble with adding and subtraction- she stated. She also had the nerve to make a copy of the note and to give it to the principal. Um, this was a 5th grade class of special Ed.- Resource. I was prepared to give them hell. The other classes were excellent. I asked them what happened. They did not like the way that the sub was reviewing dividing. We came to an understanding that I would let them know when I would not be at school unless it was an emergency, and that I would leave review material just for them. They would try their best and could skip problems if they were embarrassed to ask for help. Sometimes the sub does not jive with the kiddos or the grade level. Do not take it personally. Yes, my students knew how to divide.

Question: does the secretary know the sun outside of the school setting? Sometimes, friends and family of other school personnel sub and that gets dicey.🙄🤷🏼‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Virginia- I doubt it. Like I said in an earlier response I’m getting the sense that admin is just desperate not to lose the building sub because they don’t think they’ll be able to replace him… 🤷🏻‍♀️

Kinda feeling like that was a bit out of like of your secretary

I know there were actually issues, because I share a room with another teacher and she told me he looked really defeated and said it was a horrible class when she came into the room at the end of the period to teach. I like the idea of having the sub leave a list of names in the future. This is our building sub, and he didn’t have issues with my other classes yesterday., so I believe there were issues. But I agree group punishments are ineffective! And since I’ve never had any major issues with this class I’m surprised and unsure about what could have gone so wrong!

My kids absolutely know my expectations. They work hard when there is a sub to get a positive report. I expect them to be respectful, helpful, and kind. When I return I tell them how proud I am of them.

Honestly, if the sub didn’t leave you a detailed note, don’t waste time fussing at the class. The secretary isn’t Admin so she should practice staying in her lane. Maybe she sub for you next time!

Thank you everyone for the feedback. My classes are totally mixed up on Fridays (kids in different groups than normal, me seeing other teachers’ kids and other teachers seeing some of mine), so I haven’t been able to address the behavior report with these students yet. On Monday I will try to ‘gather intel’ from them and discuss what they should do in the future with this sub or a similar one.

talk with the class. List specific behaviors that were problems. in the discussion have students talk about why theses behaviors are problems ( only list two maybe three). You also share why the behaviors are problems. then ask as a class what their role was in the problem. What should happen the next time ( or how it should look) the situation arises. then ask what should be the result of it not going as you guys plan for it to go.
Also begin to intentionally make process over rules. You can explain it like driving a car. we all drive on the correct side of the street and get in turn lane to turn so we can be safe and get where we are going, as a community we work together. As a community you guys need to also work together to remain safe and get done what needs to be accomplished

Sub not sun🙄😂

I wouldn't mind it, if there were no names being dropped. But I would address the class as a whole and try not to single anyone out. That would be unfair to them if it turned out not to be true.