Ms. Starr
Ms. Starr reviews and grades classwork for her A.P. Literature, Honors English II, and English II students. The new Long-term sub, Ms. Starr, stood in to replace Ms. Klingbeil who left on maternity leave in February.
March 28, 2019
Both Ms. Tucker and Ms. Klingbeil needed to go on maternity leave. Luckily for the school, Megan Starr, also known as Ms. Starr, stood in to teach the English II, Honors English II, and A.P. Literature students. For more than a month now, Starr has been teaching at San Juan Hills and will continue to do so till the end of the year.
Starr is not just teaching at San Juan Hills, currently she is also teaching Shelly Gustufson’s class at San Clemente High School. This isn’t even Starr’s first venture into long-term subbing at the high school level.
“I was a long-term sub at San Clemente High School for IB Literature, Honors English II and English II Collab. I was also a regular sub during my time student teaching at SCHS from January 2018-April 2018. Then I took over AP Lang and ERWC for fall semester (at San Juan Hills),” said Starr.
For Starr, being a long-term sub is more than just stepping in to replace a teacher who has to leave temporarily. Being a long-term sub has to ensure that the students continue to learn even after their original teacher is gone.
I have learned so much through all of the classes I have taught and the teachers I have taken over for — Megan Starr
“Long term subs have such a crucial role because, depending on the time of year you take over, you know you have big shoes to fill. The teachers I have taken over for are some of the best, so making sure that the transition between teachers is easy and consistent is very important,” said Starr.
Due to her past experiences with students, Starr is able to dealing and managing with students.
“Students can be pretty tough on long term subs. There is always some push back because ultimately students feel like you aren’t their “real” teacher. Sometimes there is a lack of respect because of that. Once that testing phase is over, though, the respect is sometimes stronger because you’ve gotten through the rough times together,” said Starr.
Being a long-term sub has only shown Starr the potential possibilities in becoming a full time teacher.
“I have learned so much through all of the classes I have taught and the teachers I have taken over for. It just makes me want to be a permanent teacher even more,” said Starr.
Starr is also considering working in careers, outside of education, that involve working with teenagers.
“Eventually I want to go back to get my Masters in English and teach at the community college level. I also have a dream to go back to get my in Psychology to be able to start my own private practice working with teenagers. Very opposite paths, but still continue to work with high school students,” said Starr.
