- I have been a college professor for 15 years.
- When I noticed a teacher shortage in my public school district, I decided to substitute teach.
- Although the pay isn’t great, I’m happy to be able to bond and be with the kids.
I was a college professor for years, but when I needed a change from working at a university, my husband suggested I try substitute teaching at our public schools.
The pay is not great, but neither is my salary as an assistant instructor. Plus, I wouldn’t have to grade the papers. I also knew that our local schools were desperate for reliable subsidies to get in, especially if they had learning experience and actually liked kids – which i do.
Schools rely on subscribers for a variety of reasons, but we primarily step in when teachers are sick, have a medical appointment, or have a family emergency. I have also completed teachers who had training duties or professional development the tasks. Sometimes, teachers just decide to leave it at that. They may retire, find a job closer to home, or decide they don’t want to be in a classroom.
Whatever the reason, school administrators I know it’s getting harder to find qualified replacements, including competent replacements. There simply aren’t enough new teachers entering the field to keep up with the number of those leaving the profession.
I wanted to help solve this problem on our site New Jersey Public Schools being a substitute.
I learned to love to submit in public schools
I am a high energy person who loved school as a child. So if I can give and help kids succeed, I will. I have been teaching college students for over 15 years, but nothing prepared me for the mental and physical exhaustion of teaching 22 8-year-olds who think they’re going to explode if they can’t go to the bathroom in pairs.
However, I love being subbed so much that I keep signing up for more shifts. i take push notifications on my phone that notifies me when there are openings, and there are always openings.
I avoid subbing at our middle school because my oldest son would prefer it that way. But with six elementary schools and three high schools in town, I have plenty of options.
It’s amazing how quickly you can build relationships with students just by being there and being present. This may mean spending a few extra minutes at a time morning meetings talking with the kids about weekend plans or, when I’m feeling nostalgic, sharing memories of my beloved third grade teacher.
Sometimes, the classroom teacher will leave me lesson plans that can rival one White House Conference. Other times, I have to take care of myself. Some days, I’m there as an extra body and spend the afternoon hanging paper snowflakes in the hallway. I’ve helped students prepare for winter concerts and opened thermoses while on lunch duty. I have read aloud to kindergarteners and worked with children who have learning challenges. I have asked the students about the spelling of the words.
When you submit, you see a lot. The good is often amazing: teachers kicking a soccer ball around with kids during recess indoors, a young student mastering her spelling, fourth graders sharing reports on Icons of Latin Americawatching a teacher delicately address a student’s misbehavior without raising her voice, and my favorite activity: Drop Everything and Read.
Subsidizing is not always easy, but it is necessary
Subprime is not without its challenges. It is heartbreaking to watch a child struggle and to know that he or she is undergoing service. This is not a knock on teachers, but it can happen when schools are understaffed or parents are disengaged.
Plus, frequent blocking drills are disturbing memories of school shootings and the horrors faced by teachers and students.
Sometimes, I’m the one who fools around. I have called students by the wrong name and used incorrect pronouns. But I always apologize and we move on.
The day before, when it was raining, the 5th graders had recess indoors. They were stuck in their classroom because younger kids get priority in gym when it rains. They begged to play silent ball. Students throw a foam ball around the classroom and someone has to catch it. No talking allowed. This seemed like a bad idea to me; it was a small space with many twins. But I decided to lean in and play with those. No one was hurt.
We all had fun and felt energized. It helped to know that my presence there helped everyone connect, reminding me that subbing is worth it. It’s what our public schools need right now, and I’m happy to help.
