I am a 25-year-old sub teacher who works mostly at high schools. I have even been mistaken for a student at an elementary school before. Every day I get mistaken for a student several times, by students and staff. Do any other subs get this?
2007-12-10 04:58:38 · 9 answers · asked by RamontheGreat 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
I was teaching at 20, and what I found made a difference was dressing more professionally than the typical female teacher. Where they wore a sweater, I wore a blazer. Their knit top was my silky blouse. Like that.
If you dress casually, like many other teachers do, and you happen to look young, you're more likely to be mistaken for a kid. Dressing more formally ends that--and makes you memorable when the school is thinking about replacing a teacher who's leaving, too.
2007-12-10 05:07:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
At 26, when I began to observe classrooms for education classes, I was mistaken for a new 6th grade student; meaning they thought I was about 11 or 12 :O
I agree that dressing more formally would help prevent the cases of mistaken identity.
2007-12-11 01:03:55 · answer #2 · answered by Stacy B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a 23-year-old high school teacher, but at Walmart the other day, I had to show ID to buy a "Mature"-rated video game. The lady didn't think I looked 17!
Anyways, it happens. What I would suggest is making sure that you are dressed professionally. I know that if I wear jeans and a school sweatshirt, I can blend right in with the students. I also cut my hair shorter, because I used to wear it long and straight, which definitely made me appear younger.
Good luck!
2007-12-10 13:05:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a contracted teacher who is there every day who has gotten mistaken for a student. People just don't pay attention. Oh yeah, I work in elementary school. It stinks.
2007-12-10 22:44:06 · answer #4 · answered by KnowItAll 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I teach at a 2-yr college and I get mistaken for a student all the time. Just make sure you are dressing appropriately (and not in the same manner as students) and you should still be taken seriously.
2007-12-10 16:52:59 · answer #5 · answered by Mee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My first year teaching I was 24 and I was mistaken for a fifth grader by a sub. An elderly, perhaps senile, sub! I looked young, but c'mon! It was funny though.
2007-12-11 01:34:39 · answer #6 · answered by Carrie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I started when I was 22. The cafeteria people asked for my lunch number. If you are a man, don't shave and wear a suit and tie every day. If you are a lady, then wear skirts and dresses every day.
2007-12-10 13:33:13 · answer #7 · answered by Big Blue 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That happens to young subs in high school pretty often, enjoy the mistake :)
2007-12-10 13:06:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
lol, yeah I've had that happen to me a couple times... in high schools I guess because I'm short, but it's never happened in elementary schools.
2007-12-10 13:01:56 · answer #9 · answered by *LiLy* 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋