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Some of the top reasons to become a substitute teacher include having schedule flexibility while making a difference in schools and improving your skillset as an employee.
As the nation's largest K-12 education workforce provider, our thousands of educators across the country often share why they enjoy this role.
Top reasons to become a substitute teacher:
- Schedule flexibility
- Rewarding work
- Enhance skillset
- Extra money
1. Control your work schedule.
Flexibility at work allows you to be productive at the times and places you feel most comfortable. Substitute teaching will enable you to schedule work when you want to—on your preferred days, grades, schools, and subjects.
Work flexibility has many advantages. You can:
- Schedule work around health care or other appointments.
- Pause work for vacations or time off.
- Choose long-term or short-term substitute teaching options.
2. Make a difference.
Substitute teachers are a necessary part of the educational system. They ensure that education continues when teachers are absent. Delivering a planned curriculum created by classroom teachers helps students stay on track with their academic goals.
By stepping in front of a classroom, you will -no doubt- impact students' lives. As a substitute teacher, you'll not only give students a fresh outlook on the subjects you teach, you have the ability to make their day or leave a lasting impression. Many substitute teachers working in long-term positions get to know students personally and develop supportive relationships.
3. Enhance your skills.
As a substitute teacher, the skills you learn are valuable and transfer to many professions.
- Classroom management enables you to maintain order and structure so that learning continues. Knowing how to resolve problems and adapt to various situations quickly is essential to substitute teaching.
- Time management helps you to stay organized and keep the students on track with the teacher's short and long-term academic goals.
- Communication helps substitute teachers relay information to students, administrators, staff, and parents.
- Cultural competency helps you recognize the diversity among students and their learning styles. It enables you to connect with students from different backgrounds and cultures.
- Creativity is necessary for substitute teachers. You may have extra time when a teacher's lesson plans are complete. Use creativity to create backup lesson plans or improvise extended lessons on the spot.
Additional skills you can learn include technology, subject knowledge, professionalism, and networking.
4. No teaching experience needed.
School districts vary in their requirements for hiring substitute teachers. Most do not require previous teaching experience. You will succeed if you can effectively carry out the teacher's plans using the skills you learn in training.
Note: Some school districts offer different pay scales for varying levels of education. For example, someone with a teaching degree may receive a higher pay rate than someone without a degree.
5. Make extra money.
Whether you are looking for extra money to pay the bills, supplementing your retirement income, adding to your travel budget, or saving to pay for college, substitute teaching is a rewarding way to earn money.
Some financial advantages of substitute teaching include:
- Get a steady check on a set schedule.
- Daily opportunities are available.
- Tax deductions are handled for you.
Remember: You can choose how much to work. You can schedule to substitute teach daily if you need a full-time income or want to save for something big.
6. Have fun at work.
Working with students brings new experiences each and every day—and that makes it fun. Schools are a positive place where inspiration and growth is everywhere. It's exciting to be around and mentor potential in our youth.
If working a short-term assignment when the teacher doesn't leave lesson plans, you can take that fun to a new level by leading the students in creative activities, practice games, or other memorable learning experiences.
For long-term substitute teaching, you may enjoy the opportunity to create lesson plans, grade papers, and become immersed with the culture of the school.
Interested in becoming a substitute teacher?
Did any of these strike you as a top reason to become a substitute teacher or a paraeducator? Are you looking for flexible work that matters? You can check out our Complete Guide to Becoming a Substitute Teacher.
If you are ready to learn more, fill out our brief interest form and one of our recruiters will contact you to answer your questions and share more about opportunities to become a substitute teacher with one of our school district partners.
