TMI

TMI. That’s what our kids said when we told them things that were either embarrassing to them or contained information not relevant to their immediate interests. It meant, Too Much Information. And perhaps the following fits that category.
Imagine you are a teacher. Scary thought for most of us, but follow along. You awake at 5 AM or so. And you just don’t feel up to par. Perhaps it’s that pesky flu stuff. The best decision is to call in sick. Let them find a sub for the day.
That sick call sets into action a whole host of activity designed to replace your presence in the classroom just over two hours from now. Phone numbers will be accessed. Lists of those qualified to teach your class will be sorted. Calls will be placed to determine who is available and willing to take your place.
You must make a plan for the teacher to follow. Somehow that plan must be gotten into the hands of whoever it is who ends up teaching your classes for the day. And remember to include special instructions concerning challenging students or classroom issues that came up yesterday.
Now let’s look at the other side of the challenge. You are in charge of finding substitutes. You have lists. You’re organized with the phone numbers and background knowledge. But there are 26 teachers out today. This is a tall challenge. But there is a bit of good news.
Many of them made prior arrangements to be out. Those slots have been filled already. But there are those 15 calls that came early this morning and those classrooms must be filled. The first four calls you made were not answered. Another call was answered but the sub had already accepted an assignment in another district. Two more calls were to subs who were themselves feeling under the weather. Fifteen slots still to fill and it’s less than an hour before classes begin.
Your pace quickens. It’s ‘one of those mornings.’ And it’s only September. The whole year lies ahead. This is beginning to feel like herding cats.
There are yet more details to this issue that involve tracking what subs actually taught what classes after the day is done. How many sick days each teacher has accumulated and how many are left. And then there are the payroll issues on both sides of the equation. And the mountain of paperwork that goes with all these changes.
TMI settled in yet? But wait. There’s good news. Thanks to the internet nearly all of this can now be done by computer. The computer makes the calls. The teachers start the process themselves. The phone numbers are already stored and ready for use. The computer knows who has already accepted an assignment and who is not available that day.
The plans can be put online for sub use. Special notes of importance that day can be entered by the teacher. The computer begins calling multiple subs for multiple positions simultaneously as soon as the absences are registered. AND, it keeps track of all the calls and responses.
Marietta City Schools began using this system this year. It has freed up hours of staff time enabling them to focus on other duties.
There are far more details if you would like to know. Have a look at: http://aesoponline.com.
We are adopting new technology to both operate and teach more efficiently. New buildings will permit yet larger leaps in technology to bring us into the 21st century. There is a whole world out there waiting for us. Our kids are already there.