I’m a Substitute Teacher and Love the Work, but My Students Deserve Better

22Feb
by Yvette Torres

Since I began substitute teaching, I have found myself constantly subbing in for teachers long term. Every time it is different. Some assignments can be a couple weeks, while other times I’ll be in the same classroom for a couple months. In theory, it is great experience for me to teach my own class, but serving in this capacity for the last year and a half has opened my eyes to systemic inequities and has made me realize that my students deserve more.

Recently, I was asked to cover for a 12th grade English class. I had previously served as a substitute for this particular teacher. I had created a good rapport with these students, but I was not overly thrilled about returning to this class. The problem was not the students. The bigger issue was that I was the fourth long term substitute teacher this class had this year. Beyond that, these same students have never met “their” teacher putting into question some of the underlying issues that stem from tenured teachers on leave who are not able to be properly replaced by a new hire. I love the students in that class, and I feel that they respect me too, but when they saw me walk into their classroom again, they couldn’t help but sigh in disappointment. I wanted to sigh with them. Responses ranged from “Really Miss! Another Sub!” to “Is this teacher ever going to come back?” and “She better not come back at this point, it will be pointless! There is only two months left of school.” While I wish the circumstance were different, I can’t help but agree with them.

My students are eager to learn. They are intelligent, curious, and desperate for knowledge. Unfortunately, with so much inconsistency during what should have been the last foundation year of their high school experience, these students are exhausted. They are tired of having to adjust to a new teacher every few weeks. They are stressed because they are not learning the materials that will help them be successful as first year college students and with graduation approaching, the reality of the “adulthood” only adds more stress. They have lost interest in the subject and have stop showing up to class, because they ”just have a sub” or “aren’t doing anything that will affect [their] grade”. These students feel uncared for and are frustrated because they know this is not fair for them to waste an entire year of school without a permanently placed teacher.

I completely understand their frustration and while I wish I had a way to solve the bigger problem of staffing, I can only do my part to make their time worthwhile. Still, as much as I enjoy my job, and my students enjoy having me as their “teacher,” we both know that they deserve more.

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Yvette Torres

Yvette Torres is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and the first college graduate of her family. Growing up in Lynwood, she witnessed many friends fall victim to the obstacles of first generation students, but with the help of her teachers was able to reach her dreams of attending a four year university after graduation. She obtained her BA in Educational Studies and Psychology and Social Behavior from UC Irvine. With a strong love for her community and her passion to assist low-income students reach their college dreams, Yvette joined the Lynwood Alumni Association. She began by helping plan their annual College Conference and two years later took the lead as the Conference Chair. Previously she worked as the High School Coordinator for Be A Leader Foundation- Pico Rivera and mentored students through the college application process. Her love for helping students has taken her to the classroom and is currently working as a substitute teacher for her former school district, Lynwood Unified. Concurrently she is working on her Masters in School Counseling at Concordia University Irvine. Her dream is to return to Lynwood High School as their College and Career Counselor and help the students in her community.

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