Get Schooled

By yankeyteach

August 1, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this

Substitute teaching can be a very positive step for those who wish to teach. It can also be a very frustrating experience too. I worked as a sub while obtaining my teaching degree, and after 7 years found myself bumped out of a teaching postion and worked that year as a building/permanent sub for one school. Even after 7 years I learned things through the teachers I subbed for, such as different ways to orginize a room to daily planning and class management. In our school system, being a sub is a good way to get your name “in” with the various principals, and I personally know of 3 subs who had obtained postitions in the school the desired. I know that route doesn’t work for all, but it gives potential teachers insights that they don’t gain through the college required observations and even student/practice teaching. Just remember that while subbing is a great learning tool, it can be a very frustrating time, and that more than likely, things will be a bit different in ones own classroom. Good luck to all those who chose to be a substitute teacher!

By decaturparent

August 1, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this

I don’t know a whole lot about this subject from a teacher’s persepective.. but I do know that we used to torture subs when I was a kid. We would all switch seats and names. I know, we were horrible.

Now that I’ve grown up and have some manners let me offer my apology to all subs for all the headaches I and my classmates gave you!

By Teacher2

August 1, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this

Absolutely! I subbed all through college and I made sure I chose assignments for each school in the surrounding systems, so I could compare them. I landed a long term sub position at my alma mater and I was hired full-time while I was a sub. I’ve been teaching here for several years.

Subbing was invaluable because I got to know the staff, the faculty, and the routine well before I had my own classroom. For example, on my first day of preplanning nearly every teacher in my department came to my room with boxes of materials for me to use. I’m not sure that support would have been there (at least not to that extent) if I had not been so well known beforehand.

Also, working as a sub helped me refine my classroom management skills before I had to manage a class with a contract on the line. Frankly, subbing taught me much more about how to run a classroom and motivate students than any of my education classes.

Another reason I highly recommend subbing before teaching is that you learn very quickly whether or not you have what it takes to be a teacher, and also for which grade level you are particularly suited. One day in a middle school classroom taught me that I was not designed to teach those students. One day in a high school classroom, and I knew I was at home.

By SET

August 1, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this

Good for him. Sounds like this teacher will be getting as much info and experience on his possible school district before committing to a contract as a teacher.

I’d like to see more info about why he wants to be a teacher in the first place instead of some other job. Is the school in question the determinating factor - is he only willing to be a teacher for the right school?

By catlady

August 1, 2006 05:41 PM | Link to this

Heck, I think everyone with a child in school should be *required to sub for a day!

Seriously, it is a great way to learn about education, and a great way to impress a principal.

By Lisa B.

August 1, 2006 07:09 PM | Link to this

Substitute teaching seems to be an effective way to get one’s foot in the door of better schools. Often these schools hesitate to hire first year teachers, so substiting in those schools allows the administrators and teachers time to see prospective employees in action.

By 30 Year teacher

August 2, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

As a wife of a career Army officer I can honestly say that every job I have held has been because I subbed at the school first. We moved every 3 years or so for 30 years and I found subbing a wonderful way to get acquainted with the schools and more importantly for the administrators to become acquainted with me.

There are also great lessons to be learned through subbing as some previous bloggers have mentioned. By all means, this young man should go ahead and try subbing if he wishes to do so.

By Nel

August 2, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

Teach2: You are so right in your comments. My brother was a former teacher and he said the one thing they didn’t teach you in College was how to operate effectively in a classsroom. This is a great way to get immersed without drowning. Goo luck to this young man. I hope he sticks with it because there are far too few males in teaching these days.

By SteveD.

August 2, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this

The best way to make your “bones” teaching or subbing is go to McNair or Bethune Middle School. You’ll learn your management strategies there or else end up on the 5:00 news or Georgia Regional! If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere!

By thomas

August 2, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this

SteveD,

You are so right. I “broke in” teaching eighth grade at an urban middle school. I learned all about classroom management there. Yes, I read some books on the subject and I even adopted one of the strategies. But, man I learned through trying to survive. Lee Canter would have had his work cut out for him if he taught where I taught at.

I now teach in elementary school. It is NOTHING compared to what I when through at that “mental” school.