There are many reasons in which substitute teaching can be an attractive job choice for you. This is one of the few jobs that allow you to work flexible days/hours. You can be on call every day of the week, if you choose or just work a couple days to coincide with your schedule. Substitute teaching also offers the liberty of giving the educator the freedom to select a particular school or set of districts to work in.
Other advantages of substitute teaching are that it provides people, who are majoring in education, with excellent teaching experience. This type of experience looks great on any resume and will help you make an awesome first impression when you are applying for a permanent teaching position. Moreover, if you have children, substitute teaching jobs corresponds to their schedule. You usually don’t have to work when they are at home and you get all of the common holidays off. Some Texas districts offer bonus incentives, and first choice on permanent positions to those who have more teaching experience.
The process of becoming a substitute teacher is quite simple. All you have to do is visit your local school district and fill out an application. Texas school districts have their own requirements for substitute teaching positions, but most prefer at least a Bachelor’s degree. This degree does not necessarily have to be in the field of education, but it always helps if it is. As long as you have not been convicted of a felony, then you will probably be placed on a substitute teaching list for the district.
Substitute teaching can be a very challenging job. It is alright to be nervous when you are first starting out, but there are several things you can do to ensure your day will run as smoothly as possible. Having good classroom management skills is always a plus. One important thing to keep in mind is to never be caught off guard, especially during down time periods. Always deliver the lesson plan, which the regular teacher has outlined for you, and if there is any down time leftover you can fill in the gaps with your own teaching or activities.
On your first day of substitute teaching, arrive early. Be sure to walk around the school in order to get familiar with its surroundings. If you do this, then students will not think that you are inexperienced. Take some of this time also to review over any lesson plan the teacher has left for you. Don’t always assume that there is a lesson plan, which will encompass the entire day; you may have to do a little creative thinking of your own. If you don’t have enough teaching supplies, then obtain the proper materials before class starts. Review the attendance procedures, and know where the first aid kit is within the classroom. Substitute teaching also requires you to be familiar with the rules regarding student discipline. Establishing a strong presence from the minute the students walk into the classroom is important. One way to help keep control is to write the lesson plan on the board. If students see how the day is going to play out, then they are more likely to fall in line with the rules of substitute teacher. Moreover, use positive reinforcement to encourage students. Have other pupils take on lead roles within the classroom. Good substitute teaching sometimes requires the help of others, so why not let some of your own students help you. Being a good substitute leader and showing the students there is a time for work and a time for play will help increase the rapport between pupil and educator. At the end of the day, be sure to leave the returning teacher a brief summary of how the day went. Report any problems, and how you handled the situation. This will inform the returning teacher of any scenarios, which may need primary attention, and not catch the teacher off guard.
