Why is substitute teaching so difficult?

Substitute teaching gets a bad rap, as subs may face inconsistent assignments and pay, and they often encounter more challenging student behaviors than their permanent counterparts.

What makes substitute teaching so hard?

As the system relies more on substitute teachers, their lack of training and supervision means that students experience less learning and more chaos in their school day. While there are many fantastic substitute teachers, the system isn't designed to support greatness.

What is the hardest part of being a substitute teacher?

Perhaps the most daunting challenge that awaits any substitute teacher is the classroom full of students. New substitute teachers may worry about individual student needs, misbehavior, and how to keep a classroom of thirty students, or more, on task, focused, and cooperative.

What is the biggest challenge in substitute teaching?

One of the biggest challenges for substitute teachers is keeping students engaged and focused.

Why substitute teachers are quitting?

The real culprit is a lack of respect for the job. Substitute teachers are often paid less than their permanent counterparts. In fact, some districts pay their subs less than the local McDonald's! This means that it can be difficult for substitutes to earn a living wage.

Here’s what I learned substitute teaching for a day

Can you survive being a substitute teacher?

It is quite possible to live off pay as a substitute teacher. School districts in my area pay from $90 to $130 a day. It totally depends on how much you need to earn and how many days a week you are willing to work.

What is the life of a substitute teacher?

The life of a substitute teacher is one of diversity, flexibility, and constant learning. No two days are the same, as subs might find themselves teaching different subjects to various age groups in different schools throughout the week.

What is the number one common trait of successful substitute teachers?

Passion. Most substitute teachers are looking for more than just a paycheck. They're excited about education, knowledgeable about best practices, and committed to student growth. Students recognize educators who care about their success, and it's important to hire with this in mind.

Why do students misbehave with substitute teachers?

One reason students misbehave for a substitute is the pacing of the day. This can be because there weren't enough activities left or too many and none were labeled as a top priority. Substitutes are put in a position to rapidly get a feel for the class and their needs with very little background info.

Is substitute teaching a good side hustle?

Skill Development: Substitute teaching can help you gain valuable teaching and classroom management experience, which can be useful if you're considering a career in education. Variety: Each day can bring different experiences and challenges, making it an interesting side job.

How old are most substitute teachers?

The average substitute teacher age is 42 years old. The most common ethnicity of substitute teachers is White (58.1%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (16.0%), Black or African American (11.8%) and Asian (7.7%).

What to expect as a first time sub?

What should a substitute teacher do if there are no lesson plans?

Play an Academic Game. Games are another effective tool for substitute teachers who find themselves without a lesson plan. Like movies, they're entertaining. And they'll let your students harness their ''go crazy when the teacher is gone'' instincts instead of trying to suppress them.

What to do when a class misbehaves for a sub?

What is the most important thing a substitute teacher does?

An effective substitute teacher finds ways to positively engage with their students by getting to know them, introducing fun activities and keeping the overall mood of the classroom light-hearted and pleasant.

Where do substitute teachers get paid the most?

Can you say no as a substitute teacher?

Substitute teachers only accept the assignments that they want. If there is a schedule conflict on a given day, a substitute needs only to decline any requests that come in that day. Of course, the converse is true; there may not be assignments available on days that a substitute teacher is wishing to work.

How do substitute teachers get respect?

The most common tips for substitute teachers I had received from veteran teachers in the past, and read on teacher blogs, was to be forthcoming and give students my expectations and consequences as soon as I said "good morning." Lay all of the cards out on the table and be up-front with the class.

How do you get students to respect you as a substitute teacher?

How do you get children to respect you as a substitute? First, be prepared. Arrive early, know the lesson plans, and familiarize yourself with the classroom rules and routines. This shows that you value the students' learning and take your role seriously.

What problems do substitute teachers face?

Being a substitute teacher is not easy. Dealing with an unfamiliar environment difficult students are some of the common challenges for substitute teachers.

How do you introduce yourself as a substitute teacher?

A great way to break the ice on your first day as a substitute teacher is to introduce yourself to your students in a friendly, engaging manner. To make this easier, take some time to create an introduction that contains some interesting facts about yourself (and perhaps even some age-appropriate humor).

What great substitute teachers do differently?

How do I prepare for my first day of substitute teaching?

Do substitutes work everyday?

Substitute teachers will typically work from Monday to Friday for six to seven hours a day, depending on the needs of the school.

Is being a substitute teacher stressful?

Subbing is infamous because it's a position of incredibly high stress—and incredibly low stakes.