GothamSchools — daily independent reporting on NYC public schools

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this post incorrectly described the requirements for becoming a substitute teacher. We regret the error.

An unusual online training is among the steps people must take to become substitute teachers in New York City schools, according to a person who recently took the training.

The training covers topics ranging from the appropriateness of humiliating bullies to whether sneezing constitutes a classroom disturbance, according to screenshots of the tutorial provided by the person. (A slideshow of the screenshots is below.)

One screenshot shows two photos of a woman on the phone. In one picture, she looks bored, and a thought bubble reads, “Hmmm…Did I leave my clothes in the washer?” In the next, she is shown laughing while she thinks, “That is so funny! What a great story!” The question beneath: “Which image shows a person who is demonstrating good listening skills?”

The full requirements of becoming a substitute teacher are unclear. An earlier version of this post incorrectly pointed to the requirements for becoming a substitute paraprofessional. According to a Department of Education web site, substitute teachers who are not certified as teachers in New York State can work in classrooms if they have a principal’s nomination and successfully complete certain “assessment and training components.” (more…)