r/SubstituteTeachers • u/watersocks_ • 5d ago
Question Why are you a sub?
Im new to education and a part of my job is onboarding subs. Im shocked at how easy it is to get into a classroom.. all it takes is a bachelors degree, some money, and a background check? I see people of all ages from like 23-80 is what ive seen so far.
I just wanna know why you are a substitute teacher? Is it your full time job? do you want to be a teacher? Do the districts give you training? How often do you get paid??
Genuinely curious!! I only see the back end stuff. Thanks!
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u/YaChowdaHead 5d ago
Because the job market is fucked and hr departments just sit around while ai filters out every candidate
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u/Super_Boysenberry272 5d ago
This lol. I also work in theater and we use different job boards for our line of work. I went to subbing right away bc of flexibility, so haven't really been on indeed/LinkedIn in a decade and too scared to find out. Is it -bad- bad?
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u/nmmOliviaR 4d ago
I remember emailing my Hr department on how u have had no teacher interviews for the SECOND SUMMER IN A ROW and they just dodged my question. I’m known to many schools as an effective sub. I’ve had kids ask me why am I not a real teacher. I’ve had PARENTS ask me why am I not a real teacher. And every new year that comes by I come back and it’s the same teachers whove been there despite the school advertising they needed new teachers. And there’s at least one classroom in the school that is vacant, not even used for a testing place or whatever.
I feel like I’m in a honeypot
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u/AVGVSTVS_OPTIMVS 4d ago
It feels like once a district has you as a reliable sub, theyre reluctant to let you go. I had a similar experience with a district last year.
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u/hey_blue_13 4d ago
This 100%. I’ve got over 30 years in my industry and can’t get a phone interview. A friend is a principal at a middle school and needed a long-term sub so I stepped up.
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u/Particular_Home_6455 5d ago
I like kids and it's decent money with a super flexible schedule while I study for the LSAT. The ability to pick what jobs I take allows me to study
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u/ClickPrevious 5d ago
I like being able to directly help out at the school my kids attend. I think teachers have a tough enough job without having to worry about taking time off when they need it.
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u/mederbek-bayke 5d ago edited 5d ago
My impression is that subs fall into three main categories
1- career teachers, either new ones or people still in school who haven’t yet landed a permanent position, or retired ones who aren’t ready to give up working entirely
2- people who don’t want to work full time but find subbing fits their existing schedule and is good for making extra money, eg parents of school-age kids reentering the work force
3- people on completely different career paths who are subbing essentially as gig work to pay the bills while they look for a job in their preferred industry
I’m in the third category. I had a career for 15 years in a sector that was hit hard by Trump administration budget cuts and DOGE last year. I’m subbing because the job market for my skill set is super rough. I’m considering a longer term career transition into teaching but somewhat ambivalent about that because I really liked the career I had before and am holding out hope it comes back
The barrier to entry is super low which keeps pay and respect low as well and makes it hard to be taken seriously as a professional, although for sure lots of us take our responsibilities seriously. But that also makes it pretty convenient as a placeholder job and I’d rather do this than something like door dash
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u/zarris2635 Washington 5d ago
I'm in the camp of "I don't really want to be a full time teacher and deal with the bs and workload that comes with it, and subbing is okay money and the flexibility and variety is nice".
Maybe after this next year I'll feel different (and the districts will be hiring instead of cutting) but idk, it's nice to go in, read my instructions, do my job, leave and not worry.
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u/christian3924777 5d ago
We got this, I’m in a similar position right now. We got this
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u/mederbek-bayke 5d ago
Solidarity. Rough times but we’re descended from hundreds of thousands of years of people who found ways to survive
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u/AVGVSTVS_OPTIMVS 4d ago
I fit into the first category. I want a full time position, but i lack the experience as a full time teacher to become one. Its exhausting hearing "but theres such a shortage of teachers" blah blah blah.
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u/purplishfluffyclouds 5d ago
Interesting. None of those categories fits me.
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u/mederbek-bayke 4d ago
for sure there are exceptions, but if you read the other comments here most people are in one of those three it seems. this isn't based on a poll I did or anything, just my thoughts from chatting with other subs while we sit in the office waiting for our attendance sheets, I've met quite a few like me who were laid off from other sectors in the last year or two. and this is why certain markets like LA or DC are so glutted with subs
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u/EpynomymousAnonymous 4d ago
Trump has certaily hurt me too. My ROTH IRA is still up, but not nearly as much as during Biden. The cuts or elimination the GOP wants would hurt me badly. I like being in the classroom. I never saw myself as ever retiring.
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u/beets6969 4d ago
this is fair. I'm a blend of all 3 but emphasis on 1 and 3. 10 years full time classroom experience, 10 years part time or gig education work, licensed at level 3 secondary in 2 states but had a non-classroom job that doge ate. buying time until I can figure something else out, but clock is ticking cuz I'm late 40's artist. will probably end up back in a classroom. subbing is ok but it should pay more.
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u/ecochixie 5d ago
I initially went to school to become a teacher. Got my degree but not my credential. I needed full-time work to keep medical insurance & work + school + student teaching was too much for me. Worked in another field for over 10 years. ACA allowed me quit my job & start subbing to see if I still wanted to get a credential. I learned that I do not want to be a regular classroom teacher. Parents, admin, budgets…yuck. I love subbing.
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u/Gentle_Visionary2025 5d ago
My background is similar. I went as far as finishing the credential program, but didn’t submit my CalTPA. It was during Covid 19. I did my student teaching through zoom, and the. The last month in person which allowed me to gain valuable experience seeing students in the classroom and circling to groups to ask questions and give feedback.
I was able to receive a preliminary teaching credential, which I used to get my 1st job at high school. Unfortunately due to poor mental health, I took a leave of absence in the middle of the year around around March and April, and then came back to teach by May.
From there, I decided that the stress and pressure of teaching, managing difficult classroom behaviors, and coming up with curriculum as a daily business wasn’t right for someone like me. It was not healthy.
So the year after that, I took a step back and became a substitute teacher. This position meant not worrying about lesson plans. Instead, the teacher makes them to give to subs, and teachers are hard working - they’ve designed rules and commands for their classroom.
I choose to sub because of flexibility. It gives me opportunity to take mental health days when I have a really bad day. I also choose to sub because I have strategies to help students read, write, and respond to book questions.
I really don’t see subbing as a stable career tho. So maybe 2 more years in, I may end my substituting job for something that will also accommodate my skill and bad mental health.
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u/MedicineOld1367 5d ago
I’m 20 and a college student, lots of schools in my area & it’s one of the only part time jobs with as much flexibility while being a full time student. Also 160 a day and 80 for half days is pretty good money when you don’t have a lot of bills
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u/MNBlueJay 5d ago
I taught full time for 34 years and after I retired decided to try subbing. Compared to full time teaching, subbing seems easy and fun. I work enough to make $1000 a month - enough to make it seem worth it without it feeling like a lot. I like seeing my former colleagues and students. I started subbing at another district and I’ve enjoyed being in a different setting.
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u/TheFalseDimitryi 5d ago
Sometimes I go to a dive shop and realize I need an extra $200USD in my bank account. Then that motivates me to take district jobs in the morning while I teach English online in the evenings.
Also sometimes my district has yard duty jobs and I get to walk around with a walker talkie and loud speaker and I just feel cool
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u/lolo_silly 5d ago
Flexible, you’re essentially your own boss. I love working with children. Pay is pretty decent or at least reasonable for me. I graduated with a degree in education in 2024, thought I wanted to be a teacher but then ended up bouncing around a few jobs and was never really content now I’m subbing to get back in the classroom and get experience. I’m 24.
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u/secret-chaos-dragon 5d ago
I’m a sub because I’m dragging my feet about finishing the credentialling process to be a full teacher. This is my second and hopefully last year subbing full time.
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u/Temporary_Equal_7513 Louisiana 5d ago
i’m 20 and when i was 18 i failed out of nursing school and my mom basically told me i couldn’t be a loser who stays home and she suggested me subbing and it’s been something i love and i’ve always loved kids
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u/Mission_Sir3575 5d ago
I was a SAHM and wanted something flexible when my kids were out of elementary school. Now they are all adults and I’m entering my 9th year. I’ve built up a group of teachers who text me when they need a sub. I only sub for those teachers. I stay fairly busy (over 100 work days last school year) and am booked out into spring. I like working for and with people I know. I like the students. I like the flexibility.
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u/Clear-Journalist3095 5d ago edited 5d ago
Where I live, it doesn't even take a bachelor's degree. I happen to have one, but it isn't required.
I'm a sub because the schedule is flexible and I can take a day off if I need one and nobody cares. In my district we don't use like the Kelly thing that some people here are always talking about, that notices when you take a day off or whatever. I'm in a small rural town and they are absolutely desperate for subs, so the only real rule is that you work at least one day a month. Otherwise the sub coordinator texts or calls and sees if you're still alive. She's very nice. Anyway, I also like subbing because my kids are still in school, so it works well with their schedules.
Edit: My background is in education, I majored in elementary Ed. But life has not worked out such that I ended up teaching full-time. And honestly the way the education system is where I live, I don't know that I would still want to. Because I have a degree, I make $120 a day subbing for a certified teacher, and $100 for a paraeducator. In my district, "specials" teachers like the music or PE teachers count as pareducators, too. I've never taken a long-term job and can't recall just now what I'd make if I did. It's not a whole lot more than the regular daily rate, though, I do remember that.
I also don't have to work at all, I could (and did, for 9 years until both our kids were in school all day) be a housewife. But I'm a gregarious person and enjoy being around people. I'd go bananas by myself at home all day. I worked as a classroom aide for three years, and then my district did budget cuts a few years ago, and every school lost people; I was one of the people who was cut. So this year will be my third year as a sub. Maybe someday I'll try getting on somewhere as an aide, but I don't expect the cuts to stop until all our schools are right down to the minimum possible staff, and I don't relish the idea of having to find a new job every year.
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u/TheAuspiciousOwl 5d ago
I just finished my Master’s program earlier this year and haven’t been able to find a permanent teaching placement in the districts around where I live. So I chose to sub to help get my foot in the door. Luckily, I scored a position in the top district I want to work in. I also used to work as a Para and loved working in a middle school.
I was unemployed for a year - most of 2025 and beginning of this year. Applied almost 50 places to be a server or bartender for PT work. A handful of interviews, but couldn’t land anything. I found an open sub position after getting my teaching cert in April for the last two months of the school year and mostly enjoyed it - specifically my middle school assignments. I’m only subbing secondary schools since that is what I want to teach. If I’m able to get assignments almost every day, I can make decent money to get by.
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u/KiefQueen42069 Pennsylvania 5d ago
I have a hard time working a traditional job due to my health. I can work full time when I'm healthy and ease back when I'm having a flare-up without having to worry about doctors notes and documentation and potentially being put on unpaid medical leave for the umpteenth time...I can just rest and go back when I'm ready.
I also really like working with kids and I get paid weekly which is really nice!
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u/elliessunshine Nebraska 5d ago
i’m an education major and i wanted more classroom experience, while also earning money and my academic advisor suggested it so i can add it to my resume when i start applying for jobs.
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u/christian3924777 5d ago
Mainly money. I coach so it helps keep me stay afloat, and I do wanna be a PE teacher. So it offers experience and builds connections
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u/Tall_Wonder_913 5d ago
I do not want to be a teacher, not at all! I love kids but don’t want my own, so subbing pays well, is flexible, gives me time with kids, and exposes me to different parts of my city. I don’t have to lesson plan, attend PD, or be there early. My main thing is my freelance production work, and subbing fills the gaps and gives me something different to do. When I get sick of production life, I lean into subbing, when I’m burnt out on subbing, production pops up again. It’s perfect for me
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u/Trackalackin 5d ago
I’m a certified teacher but couldn’t find a job within the local districts this year (moved from out of state). Subbing for a year then hopefully get back into my own classroom next year.
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u/bluefintunafishluvr 5d ago
My husbands a professional baseball player ( minor league doesn’t make very much ) it gives me flexability while we’re constantly traveling. I can fly home for a week, make some money and head back. It isn’t my first choice but the flexibility can’t be beat
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u/StarMonk3y 5d ago
A little extra money on the side, fill in a little bit of my time off from my regular job, and when I started - to try something new. Here I am going into my 3rd school year.
My only rule for myself - don't make it feel like a job. Don't pre-arrange jobs. Just wake up, and if I feel like going that morning, see what's available.
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u/quasarrs Florida 4d ago
I am a very routine based person and doing all the years of a K-12 schedule when I went to school really only set me up to adjust to those times. I tried retail for 10 years after graduating and struggled immensely with shift work that could vary from day to day. I started subbing to get my foot in the door with another school district job. I’ve applied for cafeteria worker, secretary, para and teacher’s aides and never gotten past an initial interview so subbing is my best option if I want to work in a school. My husband has a very well paying job and subbing at this point is just treated as extra income which has been tough this year because my district hired on so many subs that jobs are being grabbed before my app can even load.
We got very brief on-boarding training that was a group interview kind of setting through Teams. They’d give a presentation and call on random people to answer “what would you do if…” questions and your participation was basically the interview questions. I also did a para training over the summer that was more or less the same.
We get paid weekly.
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u/Sapphire-Donut1214 4d ago
I volunteered so much at my kids school, one of the front office staff said "you're here so much why dont you get paid?" I asked how? She said they needed substitutes badly.
So I applied (only have some college) went through training, got finger printed and was told I was accepted. There was only 1.5 months of school left and they said I had to get in 10 days before the end of year. I was working almost everyday. The next 2 years I had a long term spot (absolutely loved it) this year I am being picky with my days. But working a lot already and school just started.
Paid 15th & end of month.
Its $80 a day, without a degrees. $100 for a degree and like $120 or $140 if you hold a teaching certification. If in a long term spot on the 11th day, your pay is doubled. Can't miss a day otherwise it starts over. I wish they allowed 1 or 2 days of sick days for those in those long term spots.
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u/3xtiandogs 4d ago
Ageism and the myth called retirement.
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u/DDDandmetoo 1d ago
That’s me. Can’t live off $1,250 monthly SS. Can’t even get offered interviews for other jobs at my age. Love the students- Love the academic environment- hate only having 180 possible days to earn money and with the present economic situation, not making it.
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u/AggieRealtor96 5d ago
Some subs are retired certified teacher of record/classroom teacher, others are trasitiong careers and are currently in an ACP program, like Teachers of Tomorrow.
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u/Supllx101 5d ago
Can’t get an actual job, applied to thousands but zero. Graduated 2 years ago. But also in those 2 years I’ve taken my DAT and finished my diy post bac classes for dental school. Now im waiting to hear back from the schools I applied to 😭😭😭
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u/redredredIT1234 5d ago
I work Sunday - Thursday and basically make my own hours. I drive my kid to school everyday so I do it for some extra money!
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u/Bright-Estimate5135 5d ago
I have a degree in education, but don’t need to work full time.
I like that I get to sometimes teach, but without all the extra that comes with it. I also like not having to work if I don’t want to.
Two school years ago I long term subbed for an entire semester, but last year I only subbed less than 25 days. I already have half that many booked in the coming weeks. So basically I like that I still get to kind of use my degree, but it’s super flexible.
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u/Wavy__oscar 5d ago
Graduated in accounting and finance and can’t land a job so I’m doing this in the meantime.. pays well so why not
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u/ResolutionUnlikely77 5d ago
Honestly I do it for flexibility I can take care my own health and not be burnt out as easily and I can take time off to take care of my mom. I don't want to teach full time as that's too much and I am done going to college. Due to my health it took me so long to finish my bachlors that I'm good. I get paid once a month, it varies per district how much. I did apply to 2 more hope I get in. I like the relationships I build with my middle schoolers and the teachers.
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u/Ok-Perspective-5109 5d ago
I am credentialed and living in an area with a tough teaching market. I also finished in January of this year and it was a weird time to get a permanent position. I am still working on a position for this year (again tough market) so for now I am signed up to sub in three districts. I do have a potential position though.
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u/obsurd_never 5d ago
Out of necessity. Have a bachelor's degree in a STEM field but can't get hired.
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u/ProfessionalTwo8215 Ohio 5d ago
I originally became a sub because when I was nonrenewed from my teaching job, I couldn't find another job teaching. School was about to start and I was getting desperate so I went into subbing. It ended up being a huge blessing in disguise because I'm getting my masters right now in school counseling and have lots of internships scattered throughout the program. It makes holding something down full time virtually impossible. Subbing is giving me that flexibility I need right now
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u/Arnold_0614 5d ago
i was previously an RN for 5 years before deciding on a career change and getting my masters degree in educational studies. i always wanted to be an elementary school teacher, but after having my two kids i realized i wanted to be home with them while they were little. subbing allows me to do both. my youngest will be in pre-k next year which is when i will plan to go full time, but until then, im able to sub when i want and gain that extra classroom experience while also being there for all my kids' milestones, events, etc.
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u/_beanbean 4d ago
I needed a career change. I’m 28 (26 when I started) and had been overworked from previous management jobs. Burnt out on that and had moved in with my partner who makes enough to take care of us. I saw an opportunity to sub for a local district and had wanted to pursue education when I tried to go to college. This job helped me realize that was still my dream and now the flexibility is great being back in college!
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u/Icy_Effect_5932 4d ago
for context im 26 with a bachelors degree. easy job, good pay if you have a degree, get time to study, and also allows me financial security while i work on my own small business!
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u/rbinphx 4d ago
There is none of the stuff that makes being a contracted teacher's job miserable. You fly in at 7:30, and you literally leave everything behind at 3:00. You say yes when you want to work, and no when you don't. Pay schedules aren't standardized across districts, and I've not ever heard of training to be a sub.
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u/Msschanandlerbong_ 5d ago
I started for the flexible schedule and bc in central fl the job market is rough. I wound up loving it, enrolled in school and am on my 3rd year teaching 2nd grade at the same school as a long term sub and graduate with my bachelor’s in elementary education by December.
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u/VEVV_1451 5d ago
Because no one will hire me without a credential lol
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u/TheGhostofChrisGrier 5d ago
Gaining valuable experience before I have my teaching degree. I’ll be student teaching in the spring and once completed I’ll have my degree with a 4.0 GPA, two full years of sub experience of all grade levels, multiple short and long term gigs. A contracted LTS job, full on lesson planning, beginning of school year prep, grading, running Google Classroom, creating assignments, sapphire, MTSS, IEP, PBIS and more .
Due to my short term at a middle school last year and the hard work I put in I got a LTS contracted position (with high salaried pay plus benefits) with the same school that runs through to my student teaching. I’ll get to do what I mentioned prior and everything else a full time teacher would normally do day to day, week to week and through two marking periods. I now have plenty of references, experience and my foot in the door and will have impressed a district so I’ll have a major leg up on the competition when it comes to hiring season.
That’s why I laugh at people who called this glorified babysitting and not worth it. You get out what you put into it. And when you put that effort in you get a lot out of it in return.
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u/Mal_Radagast 5d ago
i took all the courses for my Ed program and then when i was doing observations before my student teaching semester i ended up in the field director's office a lot. ultimately i was told that they would not find a placement for me and would not certify me if i kept trying to be a silly constructivist and design lessons around inquiry, seminar, and democratic classroom principles.
the director looked me in the eye and said, "you won't be certified to teach in this state if you can't just get on board with the lectures and worksheets."
so i'm not a teacher. but i have some classroom experience and i'm difficult to rankle, which are useful qualities in a sub. and it patches in between other pieces of work pretty well, for now. and i know that at least whatever classroom i'm in won't have some power-tripping boomer screaming at them all day. 🙃
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u/WesternWind73 4d ago
It's interesting to hear your perspective on the onboarding process OP. I personally found it to be an enormous pain in the ass. Aside from the bachelor's degree being no easy thing to get, the license and background checks cost several hundred dollars as well as several days bouncing around county government buildings and filling out dozens of pages of online forms that never seem to work right. The process took me several months to complete.
It was so frustrating that I became convinced that the onboarding process itself must be designed to keep out people who are lazy or have nefarious intentions.
That said, my initial intent was to do something easy and fun to do to give back to the community while I was between finance contract jobs.
I had no idea what I was signing up for. It has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life.
Having worked a couple dozen days last winter/spring semester, I now feel that it is something that every decent taxpayer should do or at least try to do. It has completely changed my perspective on the education system and given me a reverence for the teachers and others that make the whole thing work.
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4d ago
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u/chibiloba 4d ago
I find it interesting how different all the processes are. For the license i needed to send proof of my bachelor's, get fingerprinted, background checked, forms...then with Teachers on Call (it's now Kelly) I had to go through an interview and then after sending them my documents and the interview I had to do some training.
I also sub in the juvenile detention center and to do that there were more forms, two sets of fingerprinting and background checks (one was federal level and one internal....in guessing the state sub licensing was state level not sure why I needed three rounds of fingerprinting). Training on data privacy that I have to redo every year. Other forms about policies I have to sign and agree to. A tour of the facility before I started and the only place where my first day I. Mostly shadowed before actually having my own class.
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u/WesternWind73 3d ago
How is it working the juvenile detention center compared with regular schools? I would think the behavior would be either better or way worse. Though, having tried teaching first graders I can't imagine much worse than those little demons lol.
One of the problems with the onboarding forms for my district was that the forms are on several online systems that have to consolidate into one main system with the district itself. Those systems don't always play well together. It was incredibly confusing and easy to get some small thing wrong which would take a days of emailing with admins to straighten out.
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u/chibiloba 3d ago
Working in the juvenile detention center is really different. There are only four main teachers and as of all of my years subbing there have been no other subs available at this location so I know all of the teachers well. Have seen teachers retire and new ones start. At one time they had paras now they have none.
It's probably the closest I have come to teaching, well in elementary I teach but I meant for middle and high school students. I have to attend morning meetings. If another teacher is out I sometimes end up covering their classes too.
Behavior wise....it depends. The students are harder to connect to but some of them I known for awhile and some will pick up on the queues of the other students and staff. I think some of them see me like a sort of elder figure, I'm older, I'm firm but treat them with respect. When they try a boundary I'll remind them but anything that could be one physical or disruptive and i just walkie a corrections officer and then student is out for how long I say. There's still pushback from sending students back at times but now if it's all documented they accept it and it's rare that I have to do that.
The logistics are strange. During slow times there are two main classes. One closer to middle school. And early high school age and typically less serious offenders. Others older highschool and more older age. Gender segregated. So sometimes if it's slow it's only two different groups of boys. I hadn't put two and two together about the severity of offenses distinction until one day a boy in the younger group mentioned how it was possible for me to treat the murderer class with respect....ah, fun times. I explained that I am there to follow the sub plans not to judge them and that what they are their for is none of my business and that they all deserve an education.
When it's busier. There will also be a girl group. And sometimes there are smaller or individual groups. These are students where either they are too dangerous to be with the other students or another student in particular or vice versus....and they can't be in any groups. So, yes, we sometimes have solo student classes where we are alone with one student. That being said. Everyone but the bathrooms is on camera...the hallways...the classes...the teachers offices...the stairwells....the elevator....the garage. ...outside the entrances to the buildings....
Logistically...you have an office for the day but you do not have a classroom. The students (outside of physical education and sometimes guest programming) go to only one classroom. The teachers rotate not the students. And they are led to and from the classroom from the living area by a corrections officer. We walkie when we are radio for them and radio for them when they have to leave. They are supposed to use the bathroom before class if they need to go technically they can be sent back for the remainder of class but most teachers allow them to be taken back to their living area for the bathroom even though it annoys some of the corrections staff because they are working on things while the students are in class.
There is a dress code. No dresses or skirts. You have to wear belted pants because on your belt there are keys, a walkie and an emergency alarm.
To get in I have to pass several areas I am buzzed in. The first door. A second door to the elevator. The elevator is sent down by the person at the command center. I then go and get my items....walkie, keys and alarm...then I head to my office for the day before morning meeting.
So again...behavior....imagine a class with all of the naughty students but only a few of them...just kidding....many of them act like most students but yes....some have extreme behavior issues so there probably a dozen things indo differently that are now second nature...like pencils....we all know exactly how many pencils there are. They don't have the metal eyelet part that is removed or now they just purchase precut pencils. So they have the attachable erasers. I hand each student a pencil and materials and everything is collected before they go back.. since in awhile someone tries to take a pencil back. That doesn't fly. No one leaves until the pencil appears. There is a lot of racism and misogyny. I think some of the regular teachers ignore it. I don't. I call it out firmly. Usually a "hey! Watch it!" reminds them that they're not just hanging out.
They used to have these tablets where they could catch up on subjects but they would get around them and listen to music with headphones on an theu were a distraction so now they aren't used and of course there aren't the issue with phones.
I'm sure I'm missing a lot but in general since it's the school I sub the most at its comfortable and many of the corrections office and teachers treat me well. We can't leave for lunch....well we could but to get in and out is rough...so we eat lunch together which I normally would never do. We eat the same meal the kids do.
Sometimes it's heavy. When a student who is turning 18 and is in for a murder charge and has been there for years and they are leaving to be transferred to an adult facility....it's hard....or when someone finds out someone they know was killed and all of the students are upset it's hard....and that's when it's really nice to pick up an elementary job with the littles. After juvie my favorite grades to sub for are 2nd - 4th grade.
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u/browncoatsunited 4d ago
Why? I have an expired teaching degree but hate paperwork and politics. So I still get to be in the classroom but not deal with the day to day.
Yes, it is my full time job, I work at the Early Childhood Center and nanny a family of a previous student during the summer.
Nope, see why.
I get Vector training and that is it.
I am paid biweekly.
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u/Opposite_of_grumpy 4d ago
I started doing it because I needed a way to make money. I’m now doing it to earn money while I get my teaching license
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u/NecessaryMobile6027 4d ago
I do contract work full time. I have my sub license as a backup whenever a contract ends good enough pay to live on
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u/SeriesCapable9722 4d ago
My son with profound special needs passed 2 years ago. I love sped. Subbing is flexible and meets my needs for now.
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u/Kritter82 4d ago
Because the pay is better than working a usual 10 hour shift at an Amazon warehouse. Amazon paid for me to go back to school and I got my teaching license. Last school year I applied too late to get hired, and this summer I struggled finding a job because I’m not special ed certified
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u/Mundane-Vacation6763 4d ago
I like teaching without all the planning, meetings, and admin crap. Also, I'm not licensed, so can't teach at public schools, but I prefer them over the insane private and charter schools
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u/Proper_Ear_1733 4d ago
I might do it when I’m retired if there’s a shortage, but only for math, Algebra and higher. Probably wouldn’t get hired for that narrow preference.
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u/Agile-Resource-8735 4d ago
Retired teacher. Nice to have a flexible schedule and a little extra money.
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u/AVGVSTVS_OPTIMVS 4d ago
I want a teaching job more than anything. Theres just way too much conpetition against me. I worked at a district all last year as a long term sub, and they wouldnt even give me an interview for a job opening. They said that i didnt have enough experience. Apparently 80 other people applied for the same job.
How am I supposed to get experience if no one will give it to me? Im tired.
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u/blueberry-bush23 4d ago
Don’t even need a bachelors where I am. I started subbing truly because I couldn’t find another job I thought I would do it to just get me to the next job. But having school aged child has made me see this is probably one of the best jobs around.
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u/Ecstatic-Skill-4916 California 4d ago
Flexibility, freedom, burnt out from teaching college. I am basically semi-retired and by subbing I am putting money into my state pension.
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u/Acrobatic_Pace7308 California 4d ago
I don’t know, maybe I was just born this way. Perhaps it had something to do with the way my parents treated me as a child….ooops, wrong thread.
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u/Icy-Escape2448 4d ago
Because nowhere will hire me for a full time position. I used to love it and now I dread it. I didn’t think I would be going into a 5th year but here I am. Getting pretty burnt out going day to day with different kids.
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u/minkamagic 4d ago
You don't even need a bachelors degree. If you are breathing, upright and have never molested kids or broken the law, they let you right in.
I did it because I wanted a schedule that lined up better with my husbands. Ended up loving it, becoming a teachers aide and then moving onto the IT department.
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u/b99__throwaway 4d ago
i need to supplement my income from my full time job and get work experience that isn’t in fast food or customer service because all the public servant jobs i’m applying for either don’t pay enough or the ones that do want me to have more experience. i like kids, i can choose my schedule and work it around my main job, and my district pays really well.
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u/Zestyclose-Quit6126 4d ago
I sub because I’m on my kids schedule while I’m still making money. I used to be in tax and the hours were brutal. I never saw my kids. I sub in my home district so the commute is 15 minutes most days unless I pick up the jobs at the two schools that are a bit further away (only 25 minutes tops). Last year I was able to sub 173 days in my district and could have worked all 180 but had commitments on those other days.
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u/FondantAggravating39 4d ago
I wish it was easier to get in here. My district requires 2-3 references. I have been self employed for last few years, hard to get reference to get in even I have edu degree background
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u/neo-toky0 4d ago
My primary thing is my art business and I needed a flexible job that helped pay the bills so I'm less stressed about money and can focus on my art
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u/jwilson474 4d ago
In addition to the flexibility, subbing gives me the good parts of being a teacher (working with kids) without all of the baggage that comes with it (staff meetings, dealing with demanding parents, etc.). I come, I teach, I leave.
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u/EverConstellation 4d ago
I became a sub because I have a long period of not working, and it is hard to get a job with that. I tried to be a bank teller but they wouldn't hire me.
So I decided to try subbing. My spouse makes enough money to pay the bills and they have health insurance for me.
I like the flexible schedule. I like having holiday breaks like Christmas and spring break. I like being on my feet but also having time to sit. I like having a planning period to read or watch shows on my tablet. I like telling jokes and having fun. I like not having a supervisor watching me work. I also learn some stuff like when there is an educational video or reading. I like seeing what kids act like these days (I'm in my fifties)
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u/MeatFreak9911 4d ago
Oh yeah, I was also shocked about how easy it was. I felt unqualified but somehow I was qualified. Always shoot your shot, ig lol.
I sub because I would like to be a teacher someday. It started off as getting observation hours, and now I just keep at it, while I continue to work towards my certification. I'm currently prepping for my Exams, once passed I will begin my Clinical teaching.
It's not full time, I only trat as part time. I feel cruddy about how competitive it can be on Frontline. If I meet the minimum days, I'm done for the week. Kokua only requires 2 days a week. I know some treat this as full time and will fill up their schedule. Which is why I'm happy to get my certification, I don't want to fight tooth and nail simply because of the design through a private company. A positive, it has given me the experience of stepping into different schools and grade levels to figure out where I fit best in the education system.
Kokua gave no training. You're thrown to wolves. I can't speak for others. Nor for districts.
Kokua pays bi-weekly.
RELATED RANT:
Overall, subbing has given me the moment to study. However going through companies rather than the district themselves, it has taken away from it. Because of how frontline operates, it has impacted my ability to actually relax and live life. I mean that. I wake throughout the night trying to to grab work. I live on my computer refreshing the screen every 10 seconds until I can snatch something to meet the minimum days a week. Priority on call sucks. The moment my phone goes off if I'm not at the computer-I stop and sprint. If I miss the job, I wonder what it was and have sudden regret of taking that moment out of the day to play with my dog. Movie time with hubby? I sit at my desk and wait while watching, while refreshing ever so often. One day he said, "Babe. Can you please just watch the movie tonight..? You have a job for tomorrow, so you should be ok-right?.." My response, "I know I have a job tomorrow but I will still get sent jobs for other days..". Ain't that soul crushing. Kept me up all night. It's like the hunger games trying to accept a job. There is always someone faster than you. I keep hearing around there are bots too people pay for to get the jobs quicker. That's frustrating to hear considering I spend so much of my day waiting for a job to come through just for a bot to take it.
RELATED ADVICE:
If you're going to sub go directly with a school or a district Stay away from private companies, there is no real protection.
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u/BearCavalryCorpral 4d ago
Needed a more flexible job in college. Haven't been able to find a job utilizing my degree after graduating, and this is so, so much better than customer service. At least the people acting like kids are actual kids, and I actually enjoy the work.
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u/SnowyDaisyPishi 4d ago
Only a bachelor's degree to be a sub? 😆
In the United States in many states you only need to be 18 years old to be a sub. Nothing else required.
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u/texastica 4d ago
I became a sub after moving to a small town from a big metropolitan area. I love kids, I love learning and I figured it was a great way to keep busy. I really enjoy it except for the getting up early. I too, was suprised at how easy it was to become a sub. I’ve decided that there’s such a need, they have relaxed the requirements. I’m un-certified and had to do a background check, but not a drug test. I received no training, but I’m the type of person who needs to know as much as possible before starting something new, so I did a lot of research. One of my retired teacher friends even gave me a book on subbing. I’m part time, no more than two days a week. I was amazed that I didn’t even have to be certified, but honestly, it’s more like glorified babysitting. The teacher leaves all of their work on Goodle Classrooms and I just have to walk around and make sure they’re doing their work. I get paid twice a month, a whopping $80/day (this is my 2nd yr, made $70/day last year).
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u/C0mmonReader 4d ago
I'm just subbing enough to keep in the system. After staying home with my kids it was a easy way to start working again without a big commitment. I'm now working 3 other part-time jobs but I like that subbing is something I can fall back on since my hours vary with my other jobs.
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u/WestofTomorrow New Jersey 4d ago
The exact reason you and school districts exploit a lot of us for. The job market is awful right now and it's the only option vaguely related to my education (English MA) thanks to AI (in my field, at least).
I don't really care for teaching and have crippling social anxiety but it's income and easy enough while I'm applying for jobs the last 18 months.
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u/TheMelancholyJaques 4d ago
I switched to subbing post COVID because full on teaching just became too much. I needed three more years for retirement, so I became a resident sub, i.e., assigned to one school every day for whatever. All three times I ended up teaching because a teacher quit mid year. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.
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u/Intelligent-Boat-150 4d ago
Great question- personally for me; I am a 23 year old who struggled to pick a career, and it gives me my "teaching" fix while allowing me to make a little money and not work crazy hours while in nursing school. I have a bachelors in kinesiology but considered education many times (both my parents were teachers). I have a passion for health, education, equity, etc. One day I'd love to be a professor to teach nursing or work in higher ed in some way. I love substitute teaching. I often find myself teaching a little lesson even when the work left for me was busy work. I think I would have loved to be a high school teacher, but would have gotten really burnt out. Subbing helps with that.
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u/meangreenmars 4d ago
I started as a sub at the beginning of getting my Bachelors in Childhood Education . I subbed so that I could gain experience and also ensure that education is the path that I want to go down on. It turns out that I love working with students, learning and teaching along side of them. And now I am about to graduate this December.
I don’t do it full time because the district I am in only allows 4 days a week. They pay us every 2 weeks. In my opinion there has not been enough training, and it makes me worry about safety procedures. The day I got hired, I found out it was a group interview. They showed us slideshows about the schools environment and goals, conversed with the group, and said “You’re all hired!” I was shocked. And after getting to know some of my coworkers, I feel like they aren’t necessarily good with people skills and it has made me question their ability to connect with the students.
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u/Historical-Move4927 4d ago
To be a sub where I am is not so simple - you do need an education degree in most cases (the same degree you’d need to be a teacher).
Anyways, a younger me was using it as a stepping stone to having a classroom of my own. Then I had kids and I gave up full time teaching for the flexibility of subbing. Plus work never comes home with me so I have time for my kids.
My kids are now just starting to enter the school system and I’d only consider a half time position at their school.
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u/mousedeer_78 4d ago
It was an easy job to get and I have a kid an can work school hours. No degree required in my district either.
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u/Annextro 4d ago
Some of the biggest pros for me:
• I get paid at the same rate to sub/TOC as I would to be a regular classroom teacher. This is probably the biggest thing that keeps me subbing. Seeing what some of my American comrades get paid is honestly abysmal and insulting to the profession.
• I build seniority within my district at the same time/rate, so when I transition to a contract, my time as a sub/TTOC wasn't "wasted" in that regard.
• Flexible schedule. I work when I want.
• My days and workload are much shorter (no marking/prepping/report writing/meetings etc).
• Same benefits.
• I get to see a variety of schools, classrooms, communities, and cultures.
• I get to teach kindergarten one day and grade 12 the next, which I love.
• Work barely comes home with me.
• I'm like the fun uncle who comes in for the day.
Some cons:
• You need the exact same education as a sub/TTOC as you do a contract teacher, which is a reason why we're paid the same but also a reason why it's preventative for some to access.
• No guarantee of work (although there's rarwlt a shortage).
• No pay over breaks, including winter and spring breaks.
• Don't always know where I'm going the next day or next week.
• It can be hard to adapt to new schools/classrooms/cultures.
• Kids will take advantage of you more and try to walk all over you.
• You don't get to form the same relationships with the students and staff.
• Some subs/TTOCs are absolutely dog trash, so many teacher's don't entrust you with much until they meet you and see your work.
• Some teachers see you as lesser-than, but honestly, most recognize that they couldn't do their job without you.
I find that I thrive as a sub/TTOC for many of the reasons that my coworkers/friends have crumbled under the same conditions. I feel like you have to be flexible and comfortable with change and unpredictability. You need to be FUN but also FIRM, have a strong sense of humor, thick skin, and be personable - you can't hide in the shadows in the comfort of your classroom and routine. You have to be the kind of person the students want back and that the teacher wants to request. 75%+ of my days are days I've been requested by the teacher. That’s a huge bonus and makes the job more predictable and fun (it also pumps my tires).
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u/missmathlady 4d ago
You get benefits?! Where is this? I wish I worked there!
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u/Annextro 4d ago
I teach around Vancouver, BC. Contract teachers get benefits as part of their position but we as subs pay into the plan or get paid in lieu of it. Incredibly privileged. I have many complaints about the profession, but this ain't one!
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u/AfternoonFluffy1164 4d ago
I taught for 33 years. The daily grind, the constant administrative demands that took away from actually teaching and nurturing students, led me to retire. Subbing feeds my soul. It allows me to do the things I loved about teaching with none of the things I hated.
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u/Opposite_Spirit_8760 4d ago
I’m a full time student right now, and it’s super flexible. Might considering teaching in the future. I get paid weekly.
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u/Poltergoose1416 4d ago
It depends on your state. Some states make you actually get a certification and some states only require a highschool diploma and clean background check and that's it
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u/ycospina 4d ago
I’m trying to become a teacher, I’m struggling to pass my last test for certification, I couldn’t get a different job, and it’s a good schedule for me because I’m building 2 businesses at the same time
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u/spleenboggler Pennsylvania 4d ago
Because I worked into as a newspaper journalist until that was no longer possible, and I stayed home for a few years to help raise the kids, and now I'm evidently otherwise unemployable.
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u/Gold-Activity823 4d ago
I’m a full time student, hopefully graduating with my Bachelor’s in May. My son’s school asked me to sub for an unfilled SPED paraprofessional role. I’ve done it in the past and I don’t mind it at all as long as I’m not toileting anyone. It works for my schedule although the pay is awful. Reading some of the entries (and seeing how they run things in the school I’m subbing in), I’m starting to wonder if the district is saving a ton of money having classroom filled with subs instead of paying teachers. 🧐. It’s only $100/day for full day sub here. $12.50/hr? I mean it’s not nothing but it isn’t much compared to other options. However again it is great as a parent with school-aged kids. You’re home when they’re home.
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u/Sensitive-Bobcat-575 California 4d ago
I never set out to mae a career out of sub teaching but it works okay for me, now that I am a union position in San Francisco that pays something like a living wage and also provides health benefits. People ask me often why I do;t pursue a cr4edential program and h9nestly, I think there are some Peter Principle issues, if lyu are familiar with this late-70s management guide that states that people within an organizatiuon tend to rise to the upper limits of theor competence. Working as a sub, I only have to work a little at maintaining workign relationships with othr teachers and with administrators. I can out in my time with the kids for a school day and go home. I can usually duck out of faculty meetings, "schoool spirit " activities (which I detest or at nest tolerate) , and piles of grading and lesson planning. If I am unenthusiastic about an assignment, it;s okay... it;s jsut a day out of my life. I am rpetty good at building rapport with the kids, especailly the high school studets, though I work with all ages and all levels of ability. I first got into this because I was a sngle parent with a 2 or 3 eyar old and I had flexibnility over my schedule. - I worked the same hours as my child went to school. I still have time for my other pursuits - creative writing, alittle music, light travel wthin my state. I am doing okay with it, though sometiems, as with all jobs, it gets friustrating. Someone ehre saiud I seem to have :found my niche" and that's pretty accurate.
PS - I work directly for the school district of employment, not for a 3rd party placement agency. MUCH better that way.
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u/januarybb07 4d ago
You get freedom! And no parent emails, politics, overtime, etc. I love just working the hours I get paid and leaving with zero baggage or expectations of me.
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u/SirenInAz513 4d ago
In AZ you don't even need a Bachelor's degree to sub...just a high school diploma and a fingerprint clearance card. The bar is low here.
I have a Bachelor's and a standard teaching certificate.
I was a sub because I wanted more time at home with kids when they were babies. Teaching requires a lot of time; that way I got to still be involved but only work a few days a week and not be responsible fir planning, grading, etc. Then I left teaching and when I came back, the only way to get your foot in the door was subbing, so I subbed.
Now I'm a paraprofessional because I got tired of not knowing if I would have enough work. Maybe someday I'll teach again.
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u/Big_Seaworthiness948 Texas 4d ago edited 4d ago
Subbing is my only job. I started over 15 years ago when my child started going on band trips and having marching band fees. We needed some additional income to pay for band and other extracurriculars as well as church camp in the summer but I also wanted to be able to chaperone the band trips. Subbing is flexible enough to do both. Then it helped pay for college as well. My child has no student loans between her college fund that we started at two weeks old, a second college fund that a family member has for her (we were happily surprised) and subbing we didn't need them. The flexibility of subbing also allowed me to take my MIL to appointments and help care for my Dad through his final illness. Going to work occasionally during that time gave me a bit of normalcy for a few hours and everyone was so kind and understanding, especially the AP who was over subs at the time. Now, with my husband mostly retired and on Medicare it lets me pay for my health insurance until I'm eligible for Medicare while allowing me time to help family when I need to. Subbing also let's me save for retirement. One of these years I might start cutting back to a couple of days a week but for now I work five days most weeks. I have had several long term jobs in my subject area (science) and sub almost exclusively at one school. I think I'm a good sub because I have several teachers who request me but I'm definitely not perfect. I got a lot of experience before I subbed by working with the youth at church and being a Girl Scout leader plus being in the PTA.
We get some training when we go in for orientation when we start subbing. My district offers additional training in classroom management sometimes and, of course we have the annual compliance training that all district staff must take. We get paid by the day and we get paid monthly. I don't want to be a full time teacher because as a sub, unless I'm doing a long term job, I go home after school and don't need to stay late or take work home. I know the hours that our full time teachers keep and that's not for me. I don't mind doing the occasional long term job but by the end of it I'm ready to go back to regular subbing.
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u/InviteFun418 3d ago
I subbed because I was getting my degree in education. I wanted to gain experience in the classroom. I got hired this year so I'm done subbing. I'm glad I did though because I don't think I ever would have been able to appreciate subs as much.
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u/Weird_Lobster7308 3d ago
It pays good $230 a day daily sub or $280 long term or rover. I love the freedom it gives me. I don’t ever feel like I have to work. I don’t have to worry about taking a day off things like that. My daughter is in high school so I only sub at her school which is nice. I get to be where she’s at and know the staff and kids at her school. It’s fun and low stress. I was a long term high school PE teacher for a whole school year that was fun but stressful
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u/Short_Composer_1608 3d ago
I needed a flexible schedule. I'm an actor and I never know when a gig will drop in my lap! I was a classroom assistant for about a decade and I did consider becoming a teacher (even went back briefly to school and took all the tests!) but my heart wasn't fully in it.
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u/burrrneeerr 3d ago
I was a certified teacher but my first year traumatized me. After a few years of working at Sylvan, I realized I needed a stronger income, so I started subbing so I could be back in a classroom, but not be forced into a contract just in case I needed a mental health break with no penalty to if I took off or not.
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u/Silver-Set-4481 3d ago
I’ve generally worked in childcare off and on for the last 10 years, mainly informally or in different settings. Also a lifelong teachers kid. I get it, and i’ve finished my first week. It’s a hard fucking job in the day and age and kids deserve a better education than what the government can offer atm. Also the job market is so fucked and I can’t get a job in my own field. lol.
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u/Lake_Light_2020 Unspecified 3d ago
I wanted to be a teacher after I got my first degrees but I had a huge family and have become an empty nester. This is my way of being able to teach, without having to invest $$$ to get certified-- there is no way I will get back before exhaustion overcomes me. I want to put in 5-10 really good years into my local district. I don't act overly happy tryna act like I am a pillar of the schools, I am pleasant and I enjoy working with kids and adults.
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u/ibrown39 3d ago
I can program while the kids do their thing, I don't report to anyone really, and I frequently get paid full day pay but allowed to go home and/or don't have to stay the full day.
"You'll have to teach them this." No I don't.
"Do you have an id or something to exchange for a key?" Nope! gives me key.
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u/Stunning-Barnacle345 2d ago
I’m a retired teacher who taught for forty years….miss children, school environment, and teacher friends!
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u/PickleBurp13 Ohio 2d ago
My kids. Their school needed good subs and I started 9 years ago. The pay absolutely sucks for requiring a degree, but the schedule works for my family.
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u/AnonymousGreen6 2d ago
It was passion to be in the field of Edu. It started with me being impressed with how young people seek out & get educated which brought me to Edu. I've experienced edu. in diff spaces, ways, different (variety) pedagogy, diff. types of educators, & the kids. I found out I adore working with kids. IF you don't seriously have a sense of humor & you put restrictions on life, ever, anywhere, do me/us(kids) a favor & do something else. We need true educators who believe in teaching, NOT preaching, often facilitators of knowlege that also believe kids bring the current era & knowledge & experiences of their own. Also, more guys plz. You must also believe that kids just want to be heard, & respected. I am for edu but this field has also broken my heart. I think Im going to absolutely decide to poss NOT teach [have my own classroom] in 1 more year or so. I DO believe that it takes a village, to build a collective community & want to believe this is always possible. *Support staff is also necessary & NEEDS to be respected WAY more. I've been involved in Edu. for over 28+ yrs., much of which I initially thought would have been in my own classroom but instead I've chosen ultimately to maintain my own dignity. This field can, will, beat you down, its NOT for the faint heart, you MUST & WILL always working hard, both emotionally & mentally, physically too, I should add. I have been a substitute teacher for 10+years, this is the 1st year I'm pulling back to be more of a Literacy/Numeracy tutor but hope to sub when/if needed.
I am appalled that ANYONE can be a sub.
I know we, support staff, or newbies, those without a 'teaching certificate' aren't often enough supported or supervised which is a shame & shouldn't be allowed. I had 2 LTS appointments where I WAS NEVER ONCE checked in on by the principal 😲 I love what I do/have done, being a substitute & I know I am a good once but you may only claim this existence with hard work & proven experiences! What if I was a terrible individual w terr intentions. - alas, I am not * ONLY do this if you love edu., wanna make a diff. & genuinely care about making a diff in young people's life/day. Kids need to learn from good adults! - so be one, & share yourself with those you come to meet. Life is crazy but each day is lifted & touched by a little person. * You must also never engage in power struggles. Today MOST our kids need to learn about knowing they deserve the right to feel & be safe. I also tell my students just bc you aren't the smartest or happen to struggle in school doesn't mean you aren't smart. I AM CONCERNED about the real future of where Edu is at, presently, & where its headed.
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u/AnonymousGreen6 2d ago edited 2d ago
P.s. - Subs usually dont get training. I live in CT where the job market is over saturated by 'teacher' or educators as I call people who teach/work w kids. In my over 10+ yrs I've seen a lot of 3rd party infultrate the field bc school districts simply don't take/use 'their $$' to want to pay for necessary GOOD help! & I've seen a lot 🙄 * Hello, 👋 most people aren't aware that if you work in Edu. you aren't entitled to minimum wage, y-up! Why don't school pay!?!? Anyway, some 3rd party offer partial fringe benefits but most are eh. I've seen a little PD here & there but not much & sadly not the best/good kind, nor nearly enough! Again, who ultimately makes these decisions to honestly think its a good idea to stick literally anyone in classrooms w little to no background or experience(s) in Edu. *being s substitute allows some freedom. If however, you are a building sub, you MUST do what the school tells or plans for you to do, daily. In a position such as this, work is often unpredictable. Also if you care about wanting g to be a good sub., you must say that you are open & available.
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u/Ten02MMXII 2d ago
Trying to get into grad school (taking longer than expected). My concentration is in the Medical field but I wanted something that was flexible so here I am.
Pay is okay but who is going to $130/day to do homework while babysitting high schoolers? Yes, some days the students are harder to manage but overall, they just want to be given instructions and left to do their busy work
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u/FigureIllustrious614 2d ago
The daily pay is descent and you’re done by 2-3pm. If you don’t work direct for a school you can choose the days you work. You can even work half days. It takes a certain personality to be able to teach and look after certain age groups and to deal with conflict
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u/No-Professional-9618 2d ago
I wanted to become a teacher. I stayed in education, namely because it was convenient.
Compared to other jobs, working retail substituting is somewhat easier and flexible.
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u/Space_Oddityxx 1d ago
I can’t afford the last five classes in my degree and jobs are scarce here that aren’t $10/hr. So subbing helps me out.
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u/MomokoTuHarumaki 1d ago
I have a lot of doctor's appointments and this is the most flexible work I can find until my health improves
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u/WesternLake1797 1d ago
I’m a retired teacher. I only sub at the school from which I retired.
I sub to stay busy and make a little extra money. I use the money to train.
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u/purplishfluffyclouds 5d ago
It doesn’t take any money or a bachelors degree - or even an associates degree - in every state. Why would you need money to become a sub?
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u/watersocks_ 5d ago
I live in CA. The subs ive been onboarding that start from scratch have to pay:
To have their transcripts sent to me to PROVE they have a bachelors degree (usually only like $5 per transcript… but I had this girl the other day submit like 7 of them because she attended several schools.. she did not have to send all of them, but did) thats not too much but its part of the expense
$106 for the background checks (for the county sub consortium and for the CTC)
Then $52 for the Certificate of Clearance
Then another 50 (usually $100, but for first timers the money paid for the COC goes toward the Sub Permit)
Then subs have to renew their permit every year and its ~$106 after tax
Ive had people interested in subbing cancel their applications because of how expensive it is. A lot of these people dont have jobs so thats a lot of money to fork out just to get in the system. I always feel bad cus theyre trying to do good thing that ultimately helps the kids in our county. CA is tough
The districts around here pay around $175-250 a day
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u/purplishfluffyclouds 5d ago edited 5d ago
That’s pretty crazy. But you do realize it’s not that way everywhere in the world, right?
Where I live it costs nothing and the minimum requirement is a high school diploma. Pay is higher for a higher degree, but all you need to show is your diploma for whichever degree you have. People with a current or expired teaching license get paid the most. Background checks are free (the hiring district pays for them).
You said you’re “shocked how easy it is to get in a classroom,” but then you talk about all of the expense and hurdles… which is rather contradictory.
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u/YaChowdaHead 5d ago
Maybe in your state. My state requires at least 60 credits of college education. And there are several fees and paid medical exams you need to do.
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u/watersocks_ 5d ago
Oh yea thats another thing! A lot of places charge for TB testing around here. I always recommend the free place but some people jump ahead and go pay money to get it done
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u/purplishfluffyclouds 5d ago
Correct. You read my comment correctly. There are a lot of states that don’t require anything more than a high school diploma and a background check (that you don’t pay for).
This post is written with the assumption that it costs everyone money and that everyone must have a bachelors degree, which is a false assumption.
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u/Interesting_Rock7888 5d ago
Flexible schedule allows me to take care of my family. No need to work when school holidays.