I am interested in becoming a substitute teacher or an aide, and I had a few questions...?

Question

I am graduating in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer information systems. I have always had an interest in teaching, and I would like to work in a school. Right now, I do not want to become a full teacher.

I am wondering if being a substitute could be a full time job? What sort of pay could I expect (and benefits)?

I was also wondering about being an aide, what sort of duties that entails (not special ed), and what sort of pay/benefits are available? Could it be a full time job?

As I will have the summer before the fall semester, I was wondering are their jobs in a school, or should I find some sort of seasonal employment?

What would a "day in the life" entail for a substitute and an aide? What sorts of hours could I expect?

When is the best time to apply for Fall/Winter start?

I am looking at all grade levels. I do know the experience differs at each school and grade level and town. I am just looking for general/average information

Feel free to answer any of the questions I have...whatever information you can contribute will help me!

Don't worry about me wasting my degree, it doesn't matter to me. I think it is more important to enjoy a job than to worry about some stupid degree!

(And I won't be in any inner city schools!)

Answer 1

It depends what district and state you are in. I know that being a substitute in the LA, CA area can be a full time job. The only thing you have to do is get clearance.

Some questions to consider:

1. Do you have year round schools in your area? If you do, then time of application doesn't really matter. It always helps to be on the list at any time.

2. Do you know any current teachers? A lot of teachers request certain subs that they know and trust. If you know some teachers, make up some business cards and have them pass them out at their school. It may drum up some more business.

3. Are you picky? Some subs can pick and choose their various assignments, but they don't work every day. Sure inner city kids can be mean to subs, but my school is inner city and I promise DIRE consequences for bad sub reports.

4. If your technically inclined, check the district for tech positions in your area. You might be able to get a job running a computer lab and assisting students on a part time/full time basis, and actually be able to use your computer skills.

Answer 2

I loved subbing and did it for two years as a "fulltime sub" this meant that I went to the same school every day. I got to know the kids, the other teachers, the routine etc... I earned 75% of a staring teachers salary and benefits. The only problem is that this position was cut so it no longer exists. Most subs earn between 85-100 dollars a day depending on where you sub--more for tougher schools. But don't be afraid of "inner city" those kids respond to good teachers just as well as rural kids do. Each place has its own challenges.

I did sub in an inner city school and I loved it. Subbing can be great because it offers many of the benefits of teaching without the sucky stuff like grading and tests and things like that.

You will need to really plan out and be consistent with classroom management. There are some great books on the subject that you might find helpful.

Depending on where you live, you might find a year round school and could start whenever it worked for you.

Personally, I would not want to be an aide. The pay is minimal hourly and in my opinion offers less of the rewarding parts about spending time with kids learning.

Good luck to you.

Answer 3

Don't let people scare you. I was a middle school teacher for 6 years and now I'm a substitute. With a bachelors here in my county I think you'd make around 15 an hour. I make 18 with a masters. The aides here make 12 dollars an hour and subs for them make 9 I believe. Aides work in classrooms that have special needs inclusion students or in full time special needs classes. So, if you'd like to have a full time job working with challenging students, get to know your students and not have the hassle of grading papers and scheduling parent conferences etc. . .this may be a good pick. I like the flexibility of being a sub, however. You can pick the grade levels, hours, and locations where you want to work. This is especially nice if you want to test the waters and see what grades are best for you. I wouldn't start out teaching special needs classes, since these add an extra challenge. Also, ask around- certain schools are known to be better organized, with better discipline policies, and plans for subsitutes. I would start with either 11th grade or 3rd grade, depending on whether you like older or younger children best. It really depends on your background and personality. Middle Grades require a good sense of humor, withidness, and patience. They can be really good if they like you. I suggest bribing them with candy or a little free time at the end of class, although this sounds awful to someone who doesn't teach, it works. Elementary is more nurturing and although it may be tiring, it's emotionally rewarding, and in high school the students will usually either take advantage of you, talk quietly (if you are a "cool" sub), or do what they are supposed to. It depends on the type of students in the class.

Oh, and to answer your question about the day in the life of a sub: Get call at 6 am or by 9 pm the night before, or schedule it via the internet in advance based on your preferences. Drive to school. Go to main office and recieve your assignment. Go to the classroom and read instructions and lesson plan left by the teacher. You may or may not get a planning period depending on if they have an emergency and need to use you to substitute a class somewhere else in the school. Get your students, introduce yourself and smile, take roll (hopefully you have a seating chart). Teach the lessons (MS and HS switch classes, so you can teach the same one over and over- which usually are worksheets or a self guided work). Handle any discipline/safety issues without freaking out. Use the team teachers' help if there are any available. Take students to lunch. In my county subs get the lunch break even if the teacher has duty. Leave a detailed note for the teacher about student behavior and lesson, fill out the sub evaluation form. Bell rings- you go home.

Answer 4

If it were me, I'd go for the aide position. Technically, aides are now called paraprofessionals. They have a schedule that they follow everyday, and generally work with special education students in some capicity. You will earn anywhere from $10 - $12 per hour to start, and work a 180 day schedule. You will not be paid for weekends, summers, or holidays. You will get some sick days, personal days, and, best of all...HEALTH BENEFITS, which is huge. Working in this capicity, you will be seen as part of the staff, and if you do a solid job, should you get your teaching credentials, you'll have a great shot of landing a job. Your schedule, besides working with kids, will include a "duty", such as cafeteria monitor or recess (depending on the grade). You'll also have about a 30 minute lunch and one free period per day.

Subbing is brutal, and it is the hardest job ever. You never know when you will get called, what grade you'll be teaching, etc. You get virtually no respect from the students, obviously leading to classroom management issues. You'll make about $75 a day, but you will have no health benefits. Also, the office does not have to grant you the free periods that are in the regular teacher's schedule, as they can use you to fill in other areas.

Apply in April, May, and June. I recommend hand-delivering your resume and application, if possible. Ask to meet the principal or superintendant.

Good Luck

Answer 5

I can tell you that in NY with a BS in anything you can be a sub. They put you on a list(at each school you apply to) and they will call you at like 6am if you are needed that day. There is also a limit on how many days you can sub in each school, something like 80 days I think. As far as pay, it's pretty low, like $80/ a day depending on the school. Being a full-time sub would be tough, it all depends on how often the teachers are out so you could probably have a week you get called every day and then have a week where you're called only once.

Answer 6

Substitute teaching isn't really a good idea. You don't get the same benefits as a full time teacher, and it's much harder work. You are always working with different classes, different grades, different subjects and different kids. You never get to know any of the students, and that can be a real drawback.
If you're interested in teaching, go for it. If not, you might be better off as an aide, but that would be a waste of your background and training in science.

Answer 7

INNER CITY KIDS WILL SAY F U......FINALLY I SAID NO, FU I QUIT