Substituting before becoming a full time teacher?

Question

I'm certified to teach social studies in grades 4 through 8 and also applied to 30 school districts in the Dallas/FT Worth area where I live. But I only got one interview and nothing happened.

I decided to do substitute teaching and hope that it can land a foot in the door. But I said that if I can't get a teaching position by this December that I need to find something else to do for a career since I did apply to a lot of schools and no one seemed to want me.

But did anyone who is a teacher now become a teacher through substituting even though you were certified?

And how long did it take before you got a full time job?

Answer 1

You know a lot of my classmates in teaching school had to substitute because there just weren't any jobs - sounded like your situation. It is hard not to take it personally but honestly some areas just have low demand and you have almost havea connection, be experienced to be hired. I don't think it is you.  I liked substituting and I think it's a great way to build a knowledge base and get to know schools. You will automatically realize what schools you want and which wants you don't. I also think that you might change your mid about what grade you want to teach because you may be exposed to it.  If a school likes you then there is your foot in the door and they could either hire you when another teacher goes on leave OR you could get long sub jobs like for weeks ormonths even.

Answer 2

I am a bit wondering how you are credentialed to teach only social studies if you are in grades 4-8, but that's another story.  I don't know about Texas, but here in California for grades 4 and 5 you must be multi-subject because kids don't go from classroom to classroom.  They have one teacher who teaches everything.  

Anyway, I fit your description.  I've substituted the majority of the time since I got my credential.  Some of it was the job market.  Right now it is because I was living out of state last year and wasn't even in teaching.  Now I am back into teaching but got back here a little too late for new school year jobs.  

Sub teaching is wrongly thought to be less experience than being a regular teacher.  If you are a regular teacher you gain a lot of experience--in your one classroom in your one school with your one set of demographics and your fewer grade levels and subjects.  A substitute, especially if he or she has worked for more than one district and/or they work in a major city, will get a panoramic view of how education is practiced.  They will learn how to deal with students at multiple grade and socioeconomic levels.  If they get long-term assignments, they will gain much of the regular teacher experience as well.  

Here are the things I have done as a sub teacher:

--taught in 2 different districts at 7 different grade levels

--taught kids across the socioeconomic and racial spectrum

--taught all academic subjects as well as P.E.

--taught special education

--prepared lesson plans

--corrected homework, quizzes, tests

--prepared quizzes and tests

--called parents and had parent meetings

--been to school events

--issued grades

--guided students through English literature research papers

--become well known at many schools

The longest term substitute teaching position I've ever heard of was 30 years.  It happened when a sub was called in for a long term assignment and they worked well enough that the school never bothered filling the position.  That didn't happen to me, but I've had some pretty stressful assignments, such as substituting for two weeks for a special ed class in which the teacher was murdered overseas (oh yeah, they REALLY prepare you for those wonderful assignments!).  

Sorry if I have offended any regular teachers here, but I am tired of the myth that substitute teachers are not "full" teachers.  I work on average five days a week.  I may not always carry a load home, but unless I am on long term I get paid less as well.  

So go for sub teaching.  It's better than anything else in preparing you for regular teaching.

Answer 3

yeah i think u shuld

Answer 4

Well, there's your problem right there. You are certified in a subject that is obviously not needed in your area. Nowadays, people have to be Math/Sci/Special ed. teachers to find jobs or in the Southwest (especially) teach bilingual ed.  I would do the substitute teaching thing and teach multiple grades and subjects so you get a variety of teaching experience. You might end up wanting to teach a different subject, different grade level or not want to teach at all. Subbing will give you that opportunity to figure out what you want to do. Many school districts have high levels of nepotism and unless you know someone who knows someone, its hard to come by a job in general ed or in a subject area that isn't needed. Don't quit tho, life isn't easy and if everyone quit after the first time nobody would get anywhere!

Good luck...