Sub’s Power Point Pleases Pupils
March 22, 2019
Substitute teacher Stephanie Sliwinski, otherwise known as “Ms. S,” is making her mark on students with her positive attitude, eye-catching powerpoint presentations, and passion for teaching.
Sliwinski started her career as an English, drama, and English as a Second Language teacher at Mt. Diablo High School, where she taught for 10 years.
In 2015, Sliwinski began teaching adult school in the Acalanes Union High School District.
Along with her position as an adult educator, Sliwinski began filling in for absent teachers at Campolindo on Fridays. However, Sliwinski soon “fell in love with Campo.” She quit her job as a night school teacher to become a full-time Campolindo substitute 2 years ago.
“Campo teachers are way better than Mt. Diablo teachers. O
ur be
st teacher at MD [Mt. Diablo] could maybe kick it here at Campo. The teachers here are 100 times better, the best,” Sliwinski said.
According to Sliwinski, the “3 A’s”: academics, attitudes, and atmosphere, is what she loves most. She is motivated to improve her teaching techniques to keep up with the expertise of the teachers on campus. “My goal is to try to be on that level as them, to be as good as a sub as they are as a teacher even if it is just for 1 day and 1 class,” said Sliwinski.
Sliwinski is particularly proficient with Power
Point.
“That was something I did when I was a regular teacher at Mt. Diablo High School for 10 years. I would start every day when the kids came in and, boom, the power point is up there with the date, the agenda, a meme, and a picture of my dogs. Something eye-catching,” said Sliwinski.
According to sophomore Emma Dillard, the slideshow is a great way “to build a connection with a teacher who is not always there.”
As an owner of 2 pugs, Sliwinski always includes a picture of her adorable pets coupled with iconic quotes such as, “Don’t Trigger Me!”
Sophomore Sahaana Rajeesh said, “I love her little spiel in the beginning of the class where it says ‘Don’t Trigger Me.’ She is just a low-stress kind of sub and I wish I had her every day.”
Sliwinski also has a knack for remembering the names of the majority of her students and rewarding them with vibrant stickers. “I remember getting stickers from her when I was younger so the fact that she is so encouraging to students and makes a personal connection with everyone just makes school so much more fun,” said sophomore Elizabeth McGrath.
“She is really funny and gets to know the names of all of her students. She brings an energy to the class that teachers don’t usually give,” agreed sophomore Mason Grubelle.
These strategies appear to work, as it has become “very rare that kids come in and are like ‘ugh I have a sub’ because in the beginning I got that a lot. Now that people know me they are like ‘oh it is Ms. S! Yay, I love this sub.’ That keeps ’em coming back,” said Sliwinski.
Though enthusiastic about education, Sliwinski does not
want to be a permanent teacher. “I am done being a permanent teacher, even though I am pretty young. I am 41, I have only been teaching for 15 years. I love subbing because it is so fun and easy and I get to do a different class every day or every week. I really dig subbing, I am into it,” she said.
