Substitute teaching?

[apirateslifeforme]

I feel very stupid for asking this...my two closest girlfriends are teachers and they both have been at me to put my name on my town's substitute list. They tell me I'd be a great sub. However, I'm reluctant because I don't know HOW to do it! One of my friends just says, "All you do is take the roll call, then keep an eye on the time and hand out whatever the teacher left for the kids to do."

I like to be trained and confident that I know what I'm doing before I'm left alone to do it. But my friends say there's really no training needed; a cousin who did it for a few years (with no teaching background whatsoever) said there were no problems and it was fun...

Any thoughts?

 

[MushyMushy]

Where I live, you need to be a certified teacher to sub and have to be prepared to teach lessons. But it's not like that everywhere.

Really, there's nothing to it. Teachers will generally leave work for the kids. In high schools, you're really just sitting at the desk while the kids do quiet work. You just need to keep them occupied or quiet. Middle school and elementary school is a little tougher, IMO. The best classes to sub for (again IMO) are smaller special ed classes. The teachers will have everything laid out and the class size is typically very small, like less than 10 students.

 

[dakcp2001]

I did it when I was in college and it really varied from day to day a lot. My first day I was at an inner city school and two big kids had a fight in my classroom it was terrifying. The ROTC military instructors broke it up, but it was awful. The second day, same school same classes, one kid broke his pen in half and threw the ink all over anotehr student's white sun dress. I had no control, the kids had no dicipline and I refused to sub after that. I was asked to try another school, and I reluctantly agreed. The kids at the other school were wonderful, they behaved and were friendly just good kids. It was easy peasy and I loved it. I ended up saying that school only when teachers would call.

So just make sure you know the school you are going to!

 

[Rora]

In the district I teach in, subs need to take a certification class (I think it's like two days) and that's it. They go over the basics and usually teachers leave sub plans for the sub.

Honestly, if you've got the time and need the extra cash, go for it! Trust me. We could use some more subs who actually care!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I think I'm gaining a little more confidence by just reading these replies

In this town, the only requirement is a bachelor's degree, any discipline. Mine is in psychology. I've also lived here all of my life, so I'm very familiar with the schools. I've been self-studying history for the past 10-15 years, and I'm about to finish my first "for credit" history class, thinking that I will probably pursue a teaching degree. My current teacher has actually deferred to me several times, not just in the material, but in how to present it, which also makes me feel pretty good.

I think I'm remembering how we used to treat subs when I was a kid...25 years later and I still feel guilty about it!

 

[minniebeth]

Certification is required for subbing in some of the school districts around here as well. If so, yes, they do require you to teach and do lessons with the kids, especially if it's a position for more than one day.

It seems pretty scary going into it at first, but you really get the hang of it pretty quickly. I loved subbing when I first got married and just wanted to earn some money but didn't want a classroom of my own. Even though I taught prior, it's still going into the unknown.

Don't be intimidated by it! Some tips are to be flexible and easy going number 1~ go with the flow and don't expect to be perfect. You can always find the kids who are friendly and helpful and ask them questions about how things are done. Don't be afraid to ask the office, other teachers for help or if you have questions. Be organized, and leave the teacher some good notes about the day. Take notes through the day so (moreso for elementary level) about how teachers do things for next time. Also, sometimes it's nice to have filler activities, so notes on what other teachers do is nice to have to refer to in case you need to pull some tricks out of your bag.

You can do it, believe in yourself!
Best wishes!

 

[SpecialK]

I subbed before I got a full-time teaching job, and I know the thought of it can be intimidating. The best subs I worked with were the ones who were nice to the kids and actually smiled at them. I think the students looked at the "mean" ones as a challenge.

Some teachers will leave desk work, some will leave lessons that actually need to be taught, and some will either leave work that takes about five minutes to complete or nothing at all. Have some generic assignments or worksheets with you in case that happens, or be ready to wing it. More structure usually equals better behavior.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

In California, you need to have at least a Bachelor's degree and pass the teaching standards test (which is not difficult at all). Then you have to register and get fingerprinted and pay a fee before you get your credential. Those with sub credentials can teach up to 30 days per school year in any one classroom. I got my sub credential several years ago so I could sub in my special ed room when my teacher was out (I'm a teaching assistant). My DH just took the test and will sub if he doesn't find a regular job soon. I think the most important thing is to be able to relate to kids and not be afraid to take control of the classroom. They will walk all over subs if they get the chance!