| Of all the jobs in education, substitute teaching is one | | | | Substitute teaching is a great choice for those |
| of the most difficult and challenging. On the other | | | | married to a professional with a good income, or a |
| hand, unless you are a felon (or have gotten on the | | | | single person with few responsibilities. It is a good |
| bad side of some school administrator), getting | | | | choice if you are pursuing an activity outside of |
| substitute teaching jobs is a simple matter - and | | | | education, such as music or theatre. |
| these jobs offer far more variety and flexibility than | | | | Keep in mind however that even if you are able to |
| any other job in education. | | | | substitute teach every day, your yearly income is |
| Regardless of whether you are seeking substitute or | | | | unlikely to exceed $18,000, and it will probably be less |
| contract employment however, the credential | | | | than that, since you will have sick days and no district |
| process is the same. Substitute teachers must have | | | | guarantees any substitute a minimum number of |
| an up-to-date certificate, and are subject to the | | | | days. If you are planning on having a family, |
| same requirements. Substitute teachers must also | | | | remember that you will be graduating with an |
| take between 20 and 30 hours of continuing | | | | education debt of $25,000, which will eventually eat |
| education every year in order to keep their | | | | up $250 a month of your disposable income. Also |
| certification. | | | | remember that substitute teachers receive nothing in |
| These continuing education requirements can vary, | | | | the way of health care benefits - not even paid sick |
| depending on your state and when you earned your | | | | leave. |
| certificate. Generally, educational requirements for | | | | Substitute teaching can be ideal for those who are |
| teachers are getting increasingly strict, cumbersome | | | | married to someone with a good job or career or |
| and expensive. In addition to a four-year degree | | | | those who enjoy the gypsy life, or who have an |
| from a accredited university or college, earning a | | | | additional source of income. To find out more about |
| teaching certificate requires 1-2 years of additional | | | | becoming a substitute teacher, the best place is to |
| coursework in psychology, legal issues, and pedagogy. | | | | contact your state's Office of Public Instruction or |
| Many states now require that a teacher be endorsed | | | | State School Board. These bureaucracies generally |
| in more than one area, and a few expect that one | | | | maintain websites that outline the specific |
| employed as a classroom teacher will earn a Master's | | | | requirements for obtaining licensure and certificate |
| degree within a set time as well. | | | | substitute teaching, as well as information of the |
| If you are considering a career as a substitute | | | | various school districts. |
| teacher, you should weigh the economics carefully. | | | | |