Does substitute teaching bring in steady income?

Question

I have taught high school language arts for the past 3 years. We are one week away from moving to a new state. I have turned in my licensure packet, but I have not applied to any school districts/schools. I realize it is a bit late in the game to try to get a job for fall right now.

So, I plan on subbing for awhile. (Plus, I think it will help me find out a little more about the school districts in the area.)

A few questions:

Do most districts use automated calling services now (that is what we had in my last district)?

Are there usually any restrictions on subbing for more than one school district?

Is it something I can count on for regular work?

Any advice on how to be a good sub?

Anything else you can think of?

Thanks!!! (I will choose a best answer...if that makes a difference :)

BTW: I am moving to Oregon (Portland area).

Answer 1

First off, if you are a certified teacher at any state, most districts will let you work. You will have to do the paper work to transfer your license or certification. Second, late July is not too late to look for a position because most districts have a teaching shortage so it is not that hard to find a permanent position. The real question is do you want to work for that school or district. Remember any permanent position still beats any substitute position in pay and benefits.

I only recommend substitute jobs for people who are interested in getting into teaching or for someone who doesn't really need a permanent job (like for a retiree or a stay at home mom). Substitute jobs pay about 1.5 to 2 times the minimum pays of the area, and there are no benefits like health insurance, sick days, etc. Long-term sub positions where a school can hire you to essentially do the job of a regular teacher pays a little more, but you are still on the hourly basis.

So to answer your question:

1) Yes, most districts are on some automated calling service. If not, then there are something of an equivalent to be able to contact you in the early mornings when teachers start calling in sick.
2) There are no restrictions for subbing for more than one district. You work hourly, or non-exempt status. Most districts allow you to request what days that you want to be available for work. Some districts may require you to accept a minimum number of sub days for you to maintain your job status. For example, if you do not accept 5 sub workdays in a month when the system has been calling you most days in that month, then the system could remove you all together. And you have to do the paperwork to be considered again.
3) The only restrictions that I know for subs are usually a minimum number of college credits, which is why college students make good subs. Also, you have to pass a drug test and a police check.
4) Regular work depends on the district. Large districts should have no problems having a need for subs because enough teachers get sick or go on training, etc. Small districts may not provide regular work.
5) The only advice for you to be a good sub is to follow the directions given to you, and use your best judgement when directions are unclear. Teachers always appreciate some sort of note from the sub about how things went.
6) Good authoritative subs are hard to find or non-existent. You certainly get very little appreciation, because you become the last thing on the principals mind. Students in the US today don't have too much respect, and they certainly don't respect subs.
But on the good side, the job is flexible. And you can get a new class pretty much every day so you won't get bored. You can also turn down work if you don't like the school, etc.

Answer 2

I really don't think it's too late to try to find a full-time teaching position... I'd give it a shot. Substituting can be a lot of fun, but I also think it's very difficult coming into a classroom completely cold on a regular basis. It's difficult to build any kind of relationship with students that you may only see once or twice... and frankly, that's what I consider to be the fun part of teaching. Here's how things work in Illinois, and it's probably close to other states as well: Only the big cities use the automated calling services for substitute teachers... most schools still have the principal or designee contact you the night before or early the next morning. You should register at the Regional Office of Education... that will get your name on the substitute list for all the school district's within that region. I frankly wouldn't count on it for regular work unless a building administrator assures you that he or she can use your services daily; this occurs in some larger districts who appreciate a good substitute. To be a good sub, follow the teacher's planbook exactly... no deviation. Be sure you cover what they ask you to cover; if you run out of time, explain why in the notes you leave for the teacher. Always wear a smile... enjoy what you do... discipline appropriately... and help the kids the best you can. Try not to spend much time at the teacher's desk... go up and down the rows or around the tables... observe how the kids are doing... give praise... give help to those who need it. If you're very lucky, you might get to substitute by taking over a position by someone on maternity leave; I think this is the best situation for a substitute because you will be with the kids a long time and get to build personal relationships with each of them. Good luck!

Answer 3

Subbing CAN bring in a steady income, but it depends on the district and on what you can and will show up for. You need to ask the primary district you will work for if they mind if you register for more than one. When I subbed several years ago, I got called a lot because I was willing to take assignments a lot of other subs wouldn't: behavior disorder classes, special ed., and so on. Also, I think the best way to get called a lot is to do a good enough job that the teachers will request you. Even if there's an automated calling system, teachers are always allowed to request that a specific sub be called for their class ... and they do. The best way to do this is to follow their plan and leave things in a way that doesn't make them cringe when they return and wonder why they took a day off. Just remember that you don't necessarily want the students to be happy to see you as much as you want the teacher in question to be happy you got picked to sub for them. That will keep the assignments coming. I'm sure you can remember times when people subbed for you and whether or not you were satisfied. Also, if anything questionable happens at all, leave the teacher a note on it so the students don't try to B.S. him or her when they return.

Answer 4

I worked full time as a sub and how much you get called depends on a lot of different factors. Some places there are plenty of subs but other places obviously there are not. I got called a lot because everyone knew me and it was a rural school district. They also paid much better than a lot of other places including the city schools. I knew one girl who wanted to sub who had little magnets made up and gave them out, which really was an ingenious form of advertising! She got a lot of work. Another thing you might check about is tutoring programs. Lots of kids get sick and need to be out of school for extended periods, and it is sometimes a lot less of a headache than dealing with a whole class of students. If you are licensed why not try something like applying at The Sillvan(?) Learning Center or maybe a local private turtoring center. You could teach other kinds of classes at a community center or adult learning center to supplement. Sometimes they pay really well too for several hours a week of teaching. This can also be great as an addition to your resume as well. Good luck and happy subbing. Oh by the way, I always had a bunch of stuff like word finds ( for different ages) that I took with me for those classes where the teacher did not have enough for the students to do. As you probably know when kids run out of work they often become a lot more of a problem to manage. They also really liked the challenge in most cases.

Answer 5

I've heard that it sucks because you get paid like $75-$100 per day. The problem is that you might only work for 3 days and not work again for a month or so. I'd have a career or some sort of full-time job on the side just in case this subsititute teaching thing doesn't work out.

Just whatever you do, do not come to Polk County, FL. I live there and teachers here aren't paid their worth. They have to deal with a lot of crap and only get paid $32,000/year. Some of these teachers have master's degrees and still a manager at McDonald's will make more than they will.

Just be yourself when it comes to subbing. Don't try to be Mrs. Hard-*** or be Mrs. Perfect. Just be yourself and if they don't like you then you don't have to stay. Rome wasn't built in a day, so the best thing you can do is to learn from past subbing experiences in order to gain valuable skills when subbing in the future.

Answer 6

In our school district, sometimes they actually run out of subs to call! I don't know about the school district you're going to. Don't know if you'd be able to sub at more than just one. Or if the pay would be worth the traveling.
At first, work may be difficult to come by, but it should pick up as teachers take personal days, workshops, etc.
Advice on being a good sub-- the kids are going to push their limits with you. As far as they can. Don't let them.
Most teachers have a sub plan that they will leave for you. And ask the other teachers there for help if you need it. You're not alone there! Good luck with the sub thing and your move!

Answer 7

Not all school districts use automated call services. You can be a sub for as many school districts as you want. If you taught high school English, you should know someone is always absent, so I would say you can work as much as you want, but the pay is considerably less than full time teaching. If you are a good teacher, you will be a good sub. Good luck!

Answer 8

It varies from school district to school district and sometimes from school to school. Go to the school and introduce yourself. Tell them about your experience and tell them that you are available. You will have to contact the Bd of Ed also to register.
A good sub brings a bag of trick with her such as a movie to show or some puzzles just in case no lesson plan has been left. If there is a lesson plan you must follow it. Smile alot and be cheerful. If the kids like you, the teacher will ask for you again.

Answer 9

Most districts use automated call services for subs, its just easier that way. You could also see if a long term sub position is open. See if there are any openings for teachers aids or office work too.
Don't ever think it is too late to get a job for the fall. Lots of districts scramble to get positions filled right up to Sept. 1st!

Answer 10

Life