Substitute Teaching to Supplement Your Income

Many people today who have found themselves out of work, are turning to substitute teaching. In most school districts around the nation, you do not need a teaching degree to substitute. I am finding that more and more business people who are looking to supplement their income are taking jobs as a substitute teacher. So what do you have to do to take that leap into the educational ring? The process is quite easy and you will be earning money as a substitute teacher in no time at all.

If you are interested in becoming a substitute, you first need to contact the district in which you are interested in working for. The Human Resources department will inform you as to what the requirements are for you to fill in for a regular classroom teacher. In most cases a background check will be required. In addition to that, many districts want you to have some sort of college experience. This does not necessarily mean a degree, but a certain amount of college credits.

Some districts may expect you to attend some sort of training session that they offer so that you are familiar with the procedures within their system. and Substitute teaching can be very profitable if you are looking for flexible working hours. You can take the jobs as they fit into your schedule and it pays pretty well for your time. Most districts pay $80 or more per day for your time. The average school day is about seven hours and in most cases you get a 30-60 minute "break" from the students in addition to your lunch period. That figures out to be around $15 per hour before taxes.

It is normal to have some questions when you begin a new job. Some questions to consider as you are applying to various districts are:

• How do a look for, are notified of, and accept a job assignment?
• Where are the schools located?
• What are the hours of each building? (Secondary and elementary schools often have different hours. Even elementary building start and end times vary in larger districts.)
• Do I have to work in all of the buildings or can I pick and choose? (Some districts may require that you work at all grade levels in order to be substitute in their district.)
• How do I report my hours?
• When do I get paid?
• Can I request certain teachers or grade levels?
• Do you offer long term subbing positions? If so, how can I be considered for these?

Absolutely! In fact I recommend it. The larger the school district the you are subbing for, the more opportunities that you have to make money. In addition, some districts may have vacations at times that are different than those around them. Therefore when one district is closed, you still have an opportunity to have an income. Some districts near you may also be year round schools. This is a benefit for you because that means that you have an opportunity for income all year long rather than just from September through October.

Don't be fooled into thinking that substitute teaching is easy money. It is hard work. You must understand and be prepared for the idea that children are going to test your patience as a sub (think back to when you were in school). If you are willing to work hard and come to the classroom prepared, substitute teaching can be a very rewarding experience.