Substitute Teaching Survival Tips
Published by
Venice Kichura on Smashwords
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Substitute Teaching Survival Tips
Cover art by Venice Kichura
Copyright 2011 Venice Kichura
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Smashwords Edition License Notes
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Introduction * How I Got Started Subbing * Advantages of Subbing * The Advantage of an Automated Calling System * Requirements * Pay * Choosing an Age Group * Choosing Subjects * Types of Substitutes * Discipline * Classroom Discipline for Early Grades * Discipline Tips for Middle and High School Students * Sub Bag Essentials * Subbing in Specials * Subbing in Art * Subbing in Physical Education * Media Specialist * Subbing in Music * Writing Exercises * Using Workbook Sheets * Subbing for Paraprofessionals * Finding Support * Links and References * About the Author
Copyright 2011 Venice Kichura
Substitute Teaching Survival Tips is an article, about 7,000 words, that not only offers helpful tips for subs, but also gives information on requirements, pay, subbing strategies and subbing plans, as well as links and other helpful data for someone considering working as a substitute teacher. This article points out how there are other jobs for substitutes besides being a classroom teacher. For example, substitutes are used in schools as clerical workers, lunchroom monitors, nurses, paraprofessionals and in other capacities. I hope after reading Substitute Teaching Survival Tips you’ll be encouraged to sign up as a substitute teacher and will find it to be a rewarding experience. While some subs find subbing a good part-time job to earn extra money, others have actually made it a fulltime career.
Before jumping into my tips for substitute teaching I thought you may be interested in how I got into subbing. First of all I have a degree to teach high school English, but have never taught fulltime. Then why did I even want to try subbing if I found out I wasn’t cut out for fulltime teaching?
Good question.
Midway into my student teaching stint my supervisor took me aside. His honest brown eyes stared into mine. He told me, tactfully, “I think you’re more adapted to younger children than teenagers.”
He was right. I had chosen a degree in secondary education because I thought I would have been bored studying for a degree in elementary education. Just how much of the ABCs and simple basic math could one take unless your talent is working with small children?
I enjoyed studying writing and literature. My problem was earning respect with adolescents. My cooperating teacher at my student teaching job was dynamic and one of the most popular teachers at her school, so it was hard to stand beside her.
I had originally chosen journalism as a major. Journalism was my first love, but my dad had talked me out of my dream of writing for newspapers or magazines, convincing me that “all women need a teaching degree.” Besides my father’s advice, I felt less than confident about fulfilling the language requirement needed for a journalism degree at the University of Texas at Austin. I could read French, but was overwhelmed trying to understand my French teacher’s strong Parisian dialect. So I switched to education after taking only a few journalism courses.
To make a long story short, I graduated, but with the wrong degree. Besides getting married, I had moved to another state where I had to get recertified if I wanted fulltime employment as a teacher. But I shuddered at the thought of teaching. My student teaching at a troubled Austin high school, way back in 1972, was an experience I cared to forget.
After life settled down for me as a newlywed, I made another stab at subbing to help pull in some extra cash for the household budget. Unfortunately I found many of the Palm Beach County, Florida schools to be worse than the one in Austin, so I quit.
Now I know this doesn’t sound too convincing to anyone toying with the possibility of subbing. I thought I would never sub again. However, several decades later, after my younger son started high school, I tried once more to sub. This time it clicked for me. Maybe the years of mothering gave me more confidence standing before rebellious kids; I’m not sure. I just know I managed to spend the next ten years subbing in Florida and Connecticut public schools and lived to talk about what worked and didn’t work.
Many people choose subbing to make extra money or even as a career because of its many perks.
Consistent work -- This isn’t to say that you're guaranteed a subbing job every day, but subbing usually offers regular employment.
Internship – Often graduates with teaching degrees don’t immediately find jobs. Instead of waiting for a door to open they can gain valuable one-the-job experience by subbing; there’s no better way to get a feel for the teaching profession than working regularly in classrooms. By subbing you can learn from not just one type of job situation, but form a variety of experiences, making you more prepared when a fulltime position does open up.
Freedom – One of the biggest bonuses of subbing is the freedom it offers. You don’t have to take every assignment. When you teach fulltime and have a challenging classroom you’re stuck with the job. Once you start subbing you can make mental notes of which assignments you’d rather turn down. Subbing is also ideal as it gives you the freedom to choose the subject and age group of children you’d rather work with.
Good hours for mothers – If you’re a mom with children in school subbing is an excellent way to make money, while still being home for your kids. In addition to offering good hours, subbing also lets you to become better acquainted with your child’s school and teachers.
Variety – As a sub you’ll never be bored. Maybe scared at times, but not bored. No two assignments are alike.
Easy job entry –Entering most careers requires first having to spend months or even years preparing. With subbing you can get started soon, as there are only a few preliminary requirements.
Additional income for retirees – After enjoying long exciting careers some retirees can have trouble adjusting to “life after work.” However, with subbing you can still feel like you’re in the work force, as well as get out of the house and enjoy the company of other adults.
Chance to work with youth – People with a natural gift and love for children find subbing rewarding, in addition to supplying them with income.
Flexible working schedule – Unlike jobs where you have so many sick days and need to get permission to not come to work because of funerals, trips or other interruptions, subbing gives you flexibility. This is one of the main reasons I chose subbing.
The Advantage of an Automated Calling System
I can’t say enough about the benefits of a school system that uses an automated calling system to call subs, rather than the old fashion method of a live person that calls you, usually before dawn. I wouldn’t sub any other way and this is the main reason subbing worked for me the second time around. It’s much easier to punch a number than say “no” to a real person. An automated calling system, also called a “sub locator” or “sub finder” allows you control, giving you more job opportunities. In the old method you’re at the mercy of a school as to whether they’ll choose you for jobs.