Im not a substitute teacher who puts on a movie and naps. Im a substitute teacher who works in juvenile hall. 50 weeks a year. 3 days PTO per CA law. $170/day. I was in a high security unit classroom when a fight broke out. Big guy vs little guy. Im well trained. I hit the duress button. No probation staff are coming. I grab the walkie talkie (or Pacset radio if youre familiar) and yell fight. No one comes. Now this big kid is beating on the little one. This is going on way too long. My paraeducator is struggling to unlock the door (he is well past retirement age and cannot hear well). Our computers are weecked all over the floor. Shits going bad fast. There are other students in class who might be in danger. Staff isn’t visible. Finally the door opens and we yell.
I am an at-will employee. My substitute account can be blocked without notice or reason. Ive been here for over 10 years. I have no credential and have worked in classrooms with no permanent teacher. There is nothing i can do, besides quit, to ensure my safety at work.