Substitute Teaching Jobs

Grab your favorite headache remedy because you may need some relief! If you're new to the teaching field, being a substitute teacher is a great way to gain experience in the class room. But being a sub is not for the faint of heart! You can expect lack of respect from the students and the other teachers. You may experience discipline problems. (Experienced subs are probably chuckling right now...) But if you stick to subjects you know, and can keep the class interested, you probably won't have as many problems.

Don't be shy. Get to know the other teachers and be open to learn about the students and about the school from them. If they start to see you around the school often, they'll open up and help you. And when they see that you're open to learn about how they do things, they may request you when they need a substitute teacher for their class.

There are many websites that list teaching jobs. Each state varies in how they distribute that information. Do a quick search for your area and you should have no problem finding the current listings.

Sometimes it can be very easy to get the sub job. But more and more the schools are cutting their budgets and, as more people in other fields are being laid off, you find more competition for the few remaining spots. So, as with any job you're trying to get, you need to stand out as someone the school must have on their call list.

When you interview for a teaching job, or a substitute teaching job, be professional in your manor and your appearance. Take the interview seriously, even if the position doesn't pay very much.

Most importantly, make sure the school has the correct contact information for you, and that you follow up after the interview or demo lesson. Send a thank you note/email as soon as you get home. And, if you don't get the job, be sure to ask why. You need that feedback to improve your performance for the next interview.

The good news is the teacher will probably not expect you to get much done. That's not to say you can go in and slack all day. What that means is you now have a chance to impress the teacher, and everyone the teacher chooses to tell. If you can complete a lesson plan you will stand out. It's your chance to under promise and over deliver!

Remember, too, that the students don't have to love you, but they need to respect you. Treat them like real people. Act like you have the right to be there, not just the responsibility. But if the students absolutely refuse to cooperate, don't sweat it too much. Do your best and remember how you and your classmates acted when you were faced with a substitute teacher.

Be prepared to network if you're going for a full time position. You'll need to get to know the principal, the teachers, and the staff, especially the person that schedules the substitute teachers. Bring the scheduler coffee from time to time. Make sure you're easy to reach, and try to be flexible with last minute requests.