I know that some subsitute teachers were formerly teachers and they either retired or pursued something else. They come back for the love of the job or because they need the money. But I have had some subsitute teacher that were simply there because the rules were that we arent allowed to just sit their alone. How much education do they have to have. i understand that they have to go through college. But is it like a semi-degree in education? Some subs i have had were trained in things like engineering and stuff. How did they end up in a highschool, watching kids?
2006-06-15 09:25:53 · 13 answers · asked by thesecitiessleep 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
It depends on the school district. The harder it is to find subs, the lower the standards.
A rural district, located far from a university, may require their subs to only have a high school diploma, just so that they can get someone to watch the kids while the teacher is out.
Most school systems, however, do require their subs to have at least some college credit. It doesn't have to be in education. They're looking for smarts, and the ability to follow written directions. In some urban school systems, where there are teacher colleges and an over-abundance of licensed teachers in the area, they require their substitutes to be fully licensed teachers... the way you eventually get your own classroom in those districts is to start out as a substitute teacher.
A substitute's job is to ensure that a teacher's plans for instruction are continued over the time that the teacher is gone. They are expected to maintain class routine and discipline. A teacher will usually leave routine lessons, tests, and/or review work for the substitute. In my district, teachers are forbidden from leaving videos for the substitute to show. Instruction MUST happen.
The more education a substitute teacher has had, the better they are able to catch on to the classroom routine, apply the lesson plans left for them, and maintain classroom discipline. Therefore, subs with college experience, or even better, retired teachers, are preferred.
In my district, a rural one, we do have subs with only high school diplomas. However, our district divides subs into 3 levels. Level 1 are subs with only high school diplomas and/or minimal experience. They are used as a last resort when there are lots of teachers out due to illness epidemics, training workshops, or curriculum mapping and similar meetings. Level 2 are subs with high school diplomas and enough experience to have risen from Level 1, OR subs with minimal experience and college credits but no degree. Level 3 are subs who rose from Level 2 through time and experience, or are people with degrees and/or used to be full teachers.
2006-06-15 11:01:05 · answer #1 · answered by spedusource 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Most subs have to have had two years of college. They are usually subbing in an area of expertise, but as often they are not.
This is why. It is difficult for schools to get subs who are trained in special subjects like physics, biology, chemistry, industrial arts, art, business education and physical education. When that happens, the school will usually call in a sub just to be with the classes because the classes can not be left alone and unsupervised. That is a liability issue.
On the other hand, the teacher who calls in sick or who arranges for a day to be at a conference or the like, is not sure of who his/her sub will be.and whether or not the sub is qualified to teach the subject matter. So, the teacher sends in plans for the sub which end up having the students do busy work, taking a test, or watching a movie. For a qualified sub, this is as boring for the sub as it is for the students.
In addition, even if the sub is qualified and the teacher knows who the sub will be, the teacher may not trust the sub to teach the information as he/she would. This results also in busywork for the students.
I taught for 40 years and subbed for three. It is a difficult job in both cases.
I hope this helps.
2006-06-15 17:41:57 · answer #2 · answered by No one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The quality of your substitute teacher depends on your state's requirements. Some states require as little as a high school diploma (Virginia and North Carolina) or 60 hours of college credit (Missouri, for example), while some require that substitutes possess a complete teaching certificate (Kansas is one of these). Also, some states distinguish between a substitute teacher, who is licensed, and an emergency sub, who is not certified but can be used in an emergency. Most states fall somewhere in the middle, requiring only a bachelor's degree and/or the possession of a substitute teaching license. For your state's regulations, visit your Board of Education website, which should list requirements for becoming a substitute teacher.
2006-06-15 16:30:04 · answer #3 · answered by heyblue_ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Iowa where I live, you need to have a teaching certificate from a 4-year college. I grew up in S.D. and at that time, you didn't need to have a teaching certificate. Hopefully that has changed! I am an elementary teacher and the subs that I work with have teaching backgrounds but stayed home with their kids and now are trying to get back into the game. I'm not sure what the status of our high school subs is, but they do need teaching certificates!
2006-06-15 16:46:47 · answer #4 · answered by JenBaby 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This depends entirely on where you live. However, in Canada, substitute teachers are fully qualified teachers, not baby sitters, and they have full qualifications. Often they hold master's degrees or are working on PhDs. The way they end up in high school, or any other level of school, is by registering with the school board. In some cases, they are recent graduates who are getting classroom experience while they wait for a full time teaching assignment, in other cases they are people who don't want to work full time (as with the PhD student, for example) but do want to keep their credentials up to date.
2006-06-15 17:40:51 · answer #5 · answered by old lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the requirements of the local i.s.d.
In the Houston area (the 3 or 4 districts located central and southwest suburbs) substitutes ARE required to have a college degree.
2006-06-15 17:26:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This totally is determinate on the state the substitute teacher is teaching in. I know that in North Carolina, subs only need a high school education.
2006-06-15 16:29:08 · answer #7 · answered by KiWi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Highschool Graduate
2006-06-15 16:27:30 · answer #8 · answered by StoneWallKid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends.
I knew a guy that subbed and he was in college, and never had any other experience or classes in teaching.
Then again, my english teacher in HS used to sub when she was in college for teaching english, and then when she finished.
They have a HS diploma, but after that, luck of the draw.
2006-06-15 16:29:51 · answer #9 · answered by mommy_mommy_crappypants 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In California you must have a Bachelor's degree and pass a test covering basic English and math in order to substitute teach.
2006-06-15 18:15:45 · answer #10 · answered by KansasSpice 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋