Substitute teachers are an important part of the school system.
Classroom
How to Become a Substitute Teacher
Substitute teachers are an important part of the school system.
They take over when a classroom’s regular teacher is ill or has to take time off, and they make sure that the lessons stay on track.
Some substitute teachers stay in a classroom for a day or two, but others may take over a class for a full school year. For this reason, a substitute teacher must know how to make lesson plans and follow a curriculum like any other teacher. They must also be flexible and adapt to all the different schedules and classrooms they may encounter. They must also maintain control of a classroom full of students, no matter how well-behaved or unruly they may be.
Education resources
How to become a substitute teacher
Substitute teaching is a rewarding career and easier to achieve than expected. Here is a full-length description of how to become a substitute teacher.
Qualifications
While a Master’s Degree is preferred for other teachers, substitute teachers have a set of requirements that are much less restrictive. All you need to become a substitute teacher in most school districts is a Bachelor’s Degree. This Bachelor’s Degree can be in any subject, but obviously, a degree in the specific field one would like to sub for is preferable.
For example, an English degree is a plus if one would like to teach high school English. A degree in education is also a plus, but it is not usually a requirement. The higher the degree, the more competitive their substitute teaching resume will be. Teachers may be substituting for elementary school teachers, high school teachers, or preschool teachers, and each level has different expectations from the applicant.
Another requirement for becoming a substitute teacher is passing a Basic Skills proficiency exam in the state where you will be teaching. This exam assesses one’s skills in reading, writing, and basic math. The score required varies from state to state, so it is important to look up the requirements in your state and adhere to them. Remember, though, that you must take this test in the state in which you will be teaching, not in your native state or the state where you attended college (if they are different).
Job Duties
A substitute teacher’s duties are much like those of a class’s regular teacher.
According to teacher.org, some daily tasks include:
- Taking attendance
- Making announcements about school or classroom news or policies
- Monitoring students during their lunch break
- Monitoring students at recess
- Bus duties (helping students to find and board the correct bus to get home after school)
- Teaching
- Following lesson plans
- Making lesson plans
- Ensuring the safety of students
In addition to these duties, long-term subs may also be required to do the following:
- Enter grades into the grade book or computer
- Attend meetings
- Call parents of students about issues or updates in the classroom
- Other duties expected of a full-time teacher
In most cases, a substitute is expected to take on all of the duties of the regular teacher, so it is important to find out what is expected of you beforehand so that you can be prepared.
Short-Term Versus Long-Term Substitutes
As mentioned in the introduction, substitute teaching can be either a long-term job or a short-term one. Substitutes who are asked to take over a classroom for the short term are usually there between days and weeks. These subs typically follow the same routine as the full-time teacher, acting on the plans already made or simply keeping the students busy and working until their normal teacher returns.
Long-term substitutes play a much different role, however. While they may still be given lesson plans and the other materials necessary to run the classroom, they are acting as full-time teachers. They are responsible for keeping track of students’ grades, staying up-to-date on school policies, and ensuring that they are learning and progressing over the long term. For this reason, it is a good idea for substitutes to have experience taking a course in education or at least be familiar with making and carrying out lesson plans – as well as dealing with any unexpected events that may occur over a semester.
Desirable Qualities
Contrary to what you may have thought when you were in school, a substitute teacher is more than just someone who comes into the classroom and plays a video to keep students busy while their regular teacher is away. They are there to teach and to keep the class running smoothly. Substitute teachers must be authoritative and in control of the classroom but flexible enough to deal with things as they occur and to cater a lesson to fit the students better. They must also have a sense of humor to make students feel comfortable and secure without seeming like a push-over.
Substitute teachers must also be prepared for anything students may throw at them. They must be able to let things roll off their backs, as students are typically more difficult around a substitute than their usual teacher. A sub must earn the respect of his or her students, even if it is just for an hour a day.
The best substitute teachers also communicate fully with the teacher they are replacing. Leaving a note at the end of the day updating the regular teacher on the things that happened while he or she was gone is a great way to ensure that everything goes smoothly and you will be asked back.
In-Depth Job Description
While there aren’t too many requirements to pursue a career in substitute teaching, many tasks are required daily. Here is a description of many of the duties and responsibilities one must be prepared to carry out if they are hired as a sub:
- Arrive early to cover bus duty or other duties, as well as to communicate with the administration about what is expected of you during the day
- Stay after school to carry out similar duties and return borrowed materials, and report to the administration
- Follow the proper sign-in and sign-out procedures for the school
- Write or deliver oral reports to the administration as needed about the progress of students or the events of the day
- Follow lesson plans left by the regular teacher, and/or be prepared to make your own
- Be able to adapt lessons and the classroom environment to the needs of the students, as well as their interests and grade level
- Work to achieve the goals of both the daily lesson plan and the overall curriculum
- Keep in mind the overall scope of the lessons, units, and projects and how they fit into the overarching curriculum
- Use teaching methods that are best suited for the subject matter and students
- Keep the classroom neat
- Straighten tables, chairs, and materials, and erase the chalkboard
- Never leave students unattended in the classroom or outside of it
- Take attendance
- Be aware of emergency procedures and evacuation plans
- Be familiar with the disciplinary protocol for students who act out
- Be familiar with district regulations and school procedures
- Carry out the duties assigned to the regular teacher outside of the classroom, including hall monitoring, lunchroom duty, bus duty, or recess duty
- Be courteous with the regular staff and other teachers
- Collect necessary information from students and staff while maintaining the proper levels of confidentiality
- Be enthusiastic about and committed to your work
- Be able to interact with staff, faculty, and students at all grade levels with ease
- Be sensitive to issues that require goodwill on behalf of the school, and keep in mind the school’s needs and public image
- Be great at time management
- Be fluent in using the computer for lessons and inputting grade information
- Be an effective communicator both out loud and in written text
- Be an active listener
- Be ready for the unexpected, and be prepared to act in a useful and helpful way when unplanned events arise
What Types of Schools Substitutes Can Work In
Once one has established that they are qualified to become a substitute teacher, they have multiple options for what types of schools they can teach in, which include private, public, and charter schools. Here is a list of the most common:
- Private Schools – Private schools are schools in which tuition is required to be paid. Some of these schools have religious affiliations, but others are non-denominational. Substitutes do not always necessarily have to belong to the religious organization that the school is based on. Still, some private schools only hire subs who are members of their denomination or at least very familiar with and respectful of it. Private schools typically have a strict dress code that must be enforced. The substitute teacher is also expected to follow a curriculum laid out by the school, while students must also meet the state standards.
- Public Schools – Public schools are free to students, and the county lays out the curriculum. Teachers are allowed to come up with their own lesson plans, so a short-term sub can often follow the plan that the full-time teacher has already made. Most subs get their start in the public school sector. You can apply to be a substitute for a specific subject by applying to the board of education.
- Charter Schools – Charter schools are similar to private schools because the school is responsible for the curriculum. These schools are often very choosy when it comes to students and teachers, so substitutes may find that there are a lot of strict requirements to work at this type of establishment.
Qualified substitute teachers can also find work as tutors, as well as by teaching classes online. These things are sometimes used as a “fallback plan,” as there is no guarantee of daily work as a sub. Sometimes a substitute teacher will be employed with the same school or assignment for months, but other times they may have to wait until a school needs them. Tutoring or teaching online courses on the side is a good way to keep earning income as one waits for their next opportunity.
Average Substitute Teacher Salary
According to Glassdoor.com, the typical substitute teacher makes around $29,501 yearly. This number can vary based on which grade levels you substitute for, where you work, and whether you are a long- or short-term sub. For example, a substitute teacher at an elementary school can make up to $47,000 yearly, while a preschool sub can make around $29,000.
Where to Work as a Substitute Teacher
The Bureau of Labor Statistics breaks down the employment statistics for substitute teachers, including which states have the highest employment rates. Here are the five states with the highest employment rate for substitute teachers, along with the average salary:
California substitute employment
- Employment: 106,790
- Hourly Mean Wage: $19.67
- Annual Mean Wage: $40,920
Texas substitute employment
- Employment: 69,500
- Hourly Mean Wage: $11.53
- Annual Mean Wage: $23,990
New York substitute employment
- Employment: 37,370
- Hourly Mean Wage: $18.57
- Annual Mean Wage: $38,630
Virginia substitute employment
- Employment: 27,870
- Hourly Mean Wage: Not estimated for this study
- Annual Mean Wage: Not estimated for this study
Michigan substitute employment
- Employment: 23,450
- Hourly Mean Wage: $13.34
- Annual Mean Wage: $27,750
Tips for Substitute Teachers
Once a substitute teacher is hired and given an assignment, there are a few things he or she can do to make the job easier. While other teachers know you are not familiar with the daily routine, you should arrive early and try to get a handle on things as soon as possible. Read all the notes the regular teacher left behind for you (if their absence was planned) and attend any required meetings. Be prepared for your main job to be keeping order in the classroom, especially if you are a short-term sub.
If you are assigned an extremely difficult class, you can usually try to avoid returning to that classroom or school in the future. If you have a good experience, leaving the classroom in good order, grading assignments properly, and leaving a note (possibly along with your business card) are great ways to get hired back in the future.
Turning Substitute Teaching into Something More
If you are a long-term sub, the potential is high to become that classroom’s full-time teacher if the regular teacher leaves for good. If this is your goal, make it known that you are interested in pursuing a longer-term position, and if everything goes well, you may be able to turn your substitute gig into a full-fledged teacher position for the next school year.
Conclusion
Becoming a substitute teacher is twice as demanding as being a full-time teacher. The sub must be able to adapt to a new environment on a nearly daily basis and must be able to maintain an air of authority and enthusiasm at all times. Substitute teachers often find it difficult to be embraced by the students because they are “new,” but this can be remedied by remaining composed, calm, and in control of the classroom.
Substitute teaching is a rewarding career, as it puts you in contact with students whose lives can be changed by you – and vice versa. If you want to teach but do not have a Master’s Degree, you can still leverage your Bachelor’s Degree into a well-paying job opportunity. As mentioned above, substitutes often become full-fledged, full-time teachers. They can do this by substituting in classrooms long-term or working as a substitute during the day while pursuing their Master’s Degree in teaching in their free time.
