saint4life

So I’ve just finished my third year as a substitute teacher. I’m wondering if I’ll be back for a fourth because of the proposed California budget cuts that will affect education…While some teachers fear losing their jobs, I fear the the foot I have in the door with schools is being pushed out…As a sub, I’m at the bottom of the chain when it comes to full time job availability. Those that have tenure and have been teaching for awhile are at the top, followed by teachers with less experience and then finally the subs…I gotta admit, being a sub isn’t a bad gig…it’s got it’s up’s and down’s…Up’s:…* Pay is decent…average full day pay is $100…half day is about $70…* Sometimes you get lucky and work a minimum day at school and get paid for a full day…*You can reject a job when you don’t feel like working or simply don’t want to work a certain class…* Usually your days are pretty simple…-*If you’re a guy like me, you’re a hero to elementary students…especially primary grade (not that men are preferred…it’s just that there aren’t many of us in elemenatary)…*Your day is done at the last bell…you don’t have to take any work home with you…*Variety. If you’re exploring teaching, you get a good feel for different grades… Down’s…* Pay.I said it’s decent, not great…* Instability. If you work only in one district, there may be some days when there’s no work…*Mystery job: One day I was placed in a Spanish speaking class…I don’t speak Spanish very well…*Day to day: Finding a sub job everyday can be worrisome…* Boredom. Some teachers just don’t trust subs and give virtually no responsibility to the sub to teach a lesson…watching movies and silent reading all day can be fun at first..but us subs like to at least pretend we’re real teachers…*Kissing up. Future teaching jobs depend a lot on word of mouth…If you get a bad reputation as a sub…getting an interview for a full time position will be tough…*Frustration. Seeing fellow subs or students get jobs right out of college can be tough if you aren’t offered one (Can you tell I’m speaking from experience?)…I would say all in all, subbing isn’t a bad job. For the most part, it’s easy work and the pay is a result of the work. Unfortunately for everyone, these budget cuts may break some hearts of some really talented teachers and add more frustration for aspiring one.

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