1. Substituting in a public school
Extended Experience
Substituting in a public school

2. Teaching takes up a lot of responsibility
Teaching takes up a lot of responsibility. Teachers are in charge of many students every day. However, when a teacher needs to take time off of work for either work or personal reasons, there needs to be an authorized adult in the classroom environment to take care of the students. That is where the substitute teacher comes in. These selfless individuals give up their time to watch over the world’s future.
“Where is our teacher?”

3. Substitute Teaching: An Overview
To get a job as a substitute, visit your local school. Make sure you have your transcript and degrees with you.
In order to get a job as a substitute, you need to have at least a Bachelor’s degree in any field.
When applying, ask for a copy of the school’s union contract. The contact lists the rights you get as a teacher.
Characteristics of a Substitute
There is no mentors to help you with this job.
It pays better than part-time jobs.
Substitute teaching looks good on an application for a permeant teaching job.

4. How a Teacher Can Help Their Substitute
Provide a ‘handbook’ for the substitute, describing the rules and expectations of the classroom they are teaching in.
Talk to your students about the rules and expectations for when a substitute is present in the classroom.
Prepare a folder of work and important information. Information in this folder should include…
Schedule
Names of students to go to for help
Names of students who may cause problems
Plan an agenda that will cause the students to behave for the substitute.
Tell the students when they will be gone.

5. The Day in the Life of a Substitute Teacher
Mrs. Taylor tries to get to the appropriate school building a couple minutes early. She will check into the office and get directions and the keys to the room she will be in charge of for the next eight hours. Upon arriving, she looks over the plans for that day, (if there are any) and throughout the day she will try to execute the tasks to the best of her abilities, being conscious of time. If there are no lesson plans, she wings it to the best of her abilities.
Daye Taylor, a substitute at Mancelona Public Schools, describes her typical day of work.
“I have always loved working with children, so when I was approached with the opportunity, I gladly accepted the challenge!” –Daye Taylor

6. The Benefits and Problems of a Substitute Teacher
Flexible schedule
Elementary students are very easy to work with and are always willing to try and make a good impression on the substitute.
Sharpen your teaching skills.
The substitute advertise themselves at school, just in case a full time position is available at the school. The school has seen the substitute in action, and will be more likely suggested for the job.
May not be treated as a guest.
High school students tend to try and ‘take the day off’ by distracting the substitute from the task.
Not always guaranteed work
Does not receive health or life insurance
Not a safe job. (i.e. books thrown at your head, lock downs, etc.)
It is a difficult job.

7. Resources and Citations
teacher/
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Interview with Mrs. Daye Taylor