OT- Anyone done any substitute teaching-I'm a little nervous

[housecat]

I always get the best ideas from this board! I've decided to try my hand at this, so I just contacted my local school board and I'm going to go pick up an information packet later today. I'd never thought of this opportunity, but it sounds like fun to me! The lady I contacted at the school board was very nice, and said that the pay would be slightly more since I have a bachelor's degree (I guess all you need is a high-school diploma), and she told me I could let the teachers at my child's school know so that they could request me, which is great!

Thanks for the heads-up, everyone!

 

[DawnM]

I don't know much about working in Elem. schools, I have always worked in secondary (as a teacher, not a sub).

You will do fine.

Dawn

 

[DawnM]

All you need is a HS diploma? Wow! They must really need people.

Dawn

I always get the best ideas from this board! I've decided to try my hand at this, so I just contacted my local school board and I'm going to go pick up an information packet later today. I'd never thought of this opportunity, but it sounds like fun to me! The lady I contacted at the school board was very nice, and said that the pay would be slightly more since I have a bachelor's degree (I guess all you need is a high-school diploma), and she told me I could let the teachers at my child's school know so that they could request me, which is great!

Thanks for the heads-up, everyone!

 

[TheRatPack]

Are you not heading to China today DawnM? How exciting for you , I hope that your plans haven't changed drastically if they were delayed a bit.

We're having our last homestudy on Tuesday for our adoption of siblings

And in our district, high school diploma is all that is required as well, unless you're a long term sub (like when teachers are out for maternity leave...etc). The pay here is less though, 40 or so for elementary subbing per day and I think it's slightly more for middle and high school ages.

I was a prek Parapro. for 2 years and have often thought about subbing in the kids school system, but after we see how the adoption comes along.

 

[disykat]

Wow - it's hard to believe they have such teacher shortages other places. I am a certified teacher who subs. We have so many certs we don't accept emergency subs (bachelor degree).

As for nerves - it's scary stuff. I taught before I had my kids and I've been subbing since my youngest hit first grade (he's going into 6th this year!) and I still get nervous when I'm going into a new class!

Subbing is a great way to keep your schedule flexible. I've subbed only at my kid's elementary school and it really helps your days go smoothly when you are a familiar face.

 

[TiffJ]

I was so glad to see this thread! I just had my fingerprints done today for the background check. As soon as I get cleared, I can start. DS8 teacher has already said she would use me & from what I hear I can work as much as I want. Which should be great around Christmas (and before the next WDW trip) The pay is bad $50/day but where else can you work when you want & the same hours as your kids'

I am also excited & very nervous about facing a room full of kids , and not knowing any of their names. We have a great school so I'm sure it will be fine.

Thanks for all the advise!

 

[shades]

I never will forget when a friend of mine told me about her sub experience in a kindergarten class. She was sitting on one of those little chairs with the kids sitting on the floor in a circle around her while she read a story to them. One kid crawled up and licked her on the leg.

My friend is a 4th grade teacher with a MEd. and has been teaching for years and she had just moved to a new place and decided to sub instead of getting a full time job. After that kindergarten class, she was ready to go back to her 4th graders.

 

[kinntj]

I never will forget when a friend of mine told me about her sub experience in a kindergarten class. She was sitting on one of those little chairs with the kids sitting on the floor in a circle around her while she read a story to them. One kid crawled up and licked her on the leg.

My friend is a 4th grade teacher with a MEd. and has been teaching for years and she had just moved to a new place and decided to sub instead of getting a full time job. After that kindergarten class, she was ready to go back to her 4th graders.

I had to laugh at this because my 4 year old DD did that to me a month ago and does it from time to time. She said she's a kitty!

I guess if I subbed I would be all ready for that kind of behavior considering I'm in the middle of it with a 2 and 4 year old!

 

[pjlla]

Interesting to hear all your sub stories. I have subbed at my children's elementary school for two years now (but now DD is in middle school). I don't love the job (I was never meant to be a teacher!) and the pay is only so-so ($60/day), but I can't beat the hours and I love the flexibility! Our school day starts at 8:45 AM but I am required to be there by 8:25... and school ends at 3pm. If I am in for a teacher I can leave as soon as the kids are dismissed, but if I am in for an aide I usually have to stay until 3:15 or 3:20. ......................P

 

[disykat]

I don't love the job (I was never meant to be a teacher!)

LOL I don't love the job some days and I am a teacher!

 

[englishteacha]

I'm a middle school English teacher (this is my 5th year). I subbed some in college and I felt uneasy not knowing the kids' names. Now, on the first day of school, I have all the kids make a name card that stands up in front of them (fold the paper in 3 sections and it stands up great!). Then I don't have to call them "Hey, you in the blue shirt," and I learn their names so much quicker. I ask my kids to hang on to them and use them when there is a sub, which our subs really like. As a sub yourself, you can give them paper and ask them to make a name card, which truly makes life easier on all of you!

I also agree with the PPs-be firm but fair, do what is in the sub plans, and leave a note for the teacher about what happened during the day. Also, walk around the room and check in with the kids as they're working on their own. Students respond really well to a teacher's presence nearby. If you do a good job, teachers will request you and the kids will be glad to see you again!

 

[50 years Too!]

It always amazes me that some states don't require a current teaching certificate to sub...
Anyway we do get equal pay a starting teaching receives, just no benefits (Oregon).
Most of our teaches do expect you to actually teach so be prepared with "stuff" in case you have too much time left.
Good luck

 

[umaangel00]

How does someone get into sub teaching? I would LOVE to do this as I have always wanted to be a teacher!

 

[dreaming3]

I subbed at my DS9's elem school all last year and loved it and absolutely recommend it. I also am a SAHM and have been involved in PTA and volunteering so I knew a lot of teachers and the lay of the land as well. Yes, it was scary walking in there the the first time, but if you quickly get down to business the students will follow your lead. I never had a teacher leave a movie or games to play and I always had to follow the lesson plan. My first time teaching 5th grade science I had to teach and conduct a lab about refraction. It was all I could do to stop myself from calling DH and asking him what the heck that was! I just followed along in the book and notes and learned something right along side the kids. By the end of the year I had staff who would call me first to see if I was available before they took their days off.

The pay for our school (we have one elem in town) starts at $60. day and goes up with the length of the assignment. I certainly wasn't getting rich, but it was a great feeling when I got my little check. When a job came up in the school over the summer I jumped on it! I am now a regular PT employee of the schools and very happily working a flexible 20 hours DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR ONLY! I still feel like a SAHM since I get to be there for DS every day when he is home, snow days, vacations, etc. So my point is you never know where your subbing will lead. I wish you the best!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

For those of you who have subbed before, how soon do you start getting calls at the beginning of the year? I am planning on subbing this year for the first time, but I will be putting my son into daycare. I'd hate to start him in and have to pay for daycare and not get called for subbing for several weeks! I know everywhere will be different but just curious as to how soon teachers start needing subs.

Last year I was called at lunch time on the 2nd day, and the teacher was out for 2 weeks with mastitis. So be ready, they can call anytime.

 

[Disney_Queen34]

WHOA!!! Only $50 or $60 a day for many of you?!?! In the district I sub in in Wisconsin I make $125 a day! They, however, require that you are a certified teacher.

I like subbing a lot, I would love to just sub until all my kiddos are in school full time. Last year I did both middle and high school (I'm not an elementary school type) and this year I'll be just doing high school. I found the middle school kids gave me headache, lol. It's VERY easy, I'd say 75% of the time you just give the kids their assignment and/or watch a video.

 

[Brooknwdw]

For those of you who have subbed before, how soon do you start getting calls at the beginning of the year? I am planning on subbing this year for the first time, but I will be putting my son into daycare. I'd hate to start him in and have to pay for daycare and not get called for subbing for several weeks! I know everywhere will be different but just curious as to how soon teachers start needing subs.

Believe it or not..I got asked on the FIRST day of school! I had to say No, though...



About having a degree..here you do not have to have a degree, just a HS diploma. Oh, & you get a whopping $5.00 MORE a day if you DO have a degree.

Of course you have to have a criminal back ground check.

I would not say there is a shortage of subs here, either.

 

[Belle's Mom Tink]

I subbed all of last year and was pretty consistent with work, I am trying to find a full time job and it is not an easy task around here!!! I worked primarily in 2 school districts, one where I was always at the high school and one where I was mostly at the ms and hs, but twice I was at the elementary school. Let me tell you my two stints in elementary were my most exhausting. I love kids and that is why I chose to be a teacher, but let me tell you, planning and then handling a group of 6 year olds for an entire day is a lot of work. I thought it would be easier at the elementary school, but that's definitely not true in my opinion. I still like to sub there for a change but I think as a sub it is easier in the high school where you can give them the assignment and then pretty much leave them be. I always have a book to read with me as well and while I might look like I am not paying attention to them, I am aware of everything that is going on in the class.

As for pay, it varies my district here and they started out at $75/day, $85/day, and $96/day. After 20 days the first went up to $105 and the second to $100 (I didn't sub past 20 days in the other district but I think it went to $106)

Any questions feel free to ask

 

[Harvest02]

OK, just got back from my first day of subbing, and it went well. I really enjoyed it, and feel much better now that I am over the first day jitters!!! The teachers had everything laid out to a T, and they made it very easy for me! I had 2nd grade today and also Kindergarten! I am looking forward to doing even more!!!

 

[idofabric]

Glad your day went well...
I have subbed for several years now. I did/do a lot of volunteering at several schools.

We don't have to have a degree, or even a HS Ed. You do have to take the class the Dist gives, and they charge you for it. If you do have a teaching cert you get $100 a day... if not it just went up to $70. Last year it was $60, and it was $50 the year befor that. They are very short of teachers. If you do a long term sub, more then 2 weeks, (or 13 days )for the same teacher you get $5 more per day... oh, boy.
I have only done the HS and MS till last week when I was a K teacher aid. It was way more work then HS or MS! I am doing 4th grade tomorrow... and am a little nervous. If Hurricane Ernesto doesn't come into Charleston, which is a little south of us. I won't know till tomorrow as our school dist waits till 6 am or latter to tell us if we have school... and the buses come as early as 5:45 am. So some kids go, get 1/2 way there and come back. I guess I will go in and find out....

Love HS and MS most of the times. Our local HS is the largest in the state, and in the top 10 largest in the US... this year some of the teachers don't have a class room, 1/3 of them share rooms and use rolling carts. I am only subbing for teachers I know personally.... so that is only about 100- 105 at the HS, out of over 350 teachers. I will always do Art, Music, Theater, English, or Social studies.... little math, science, and /or PE and no Special ED as I think that does need someone with more teaching exper. then I have and it isn't fair to the kids.

Best of luck!