| Getting a teaching job is more difficult than ever. | | | | quite difficult in terms of classroom management. |
| Baby boomers simply are not retiring in the numbers | | | | However, just because you are not a good |
| previously expected, many people are switching | | | | substitute does not mean that you will not be a good |
| careers to become teachers, and now soaring fuel | | | | teacher...unfortunately, if you are not a good |
| costs and a tough economy have led school districts | | | | substitute you may very likely get an undeserved |
| across the country to make massive budget cuts. In | | | | bad reputation as a teacher who does not have |
| fact, some schools are cutting their budgets by so | | | | good classroom management skills. Therefore, while |
| much that they are expected to actually lay off | | | | you decided to substitute to help you get a job it |
| teachers. For example, in Manatee County, Florida, | | | | may actually backfire. Likewise, I have seen many |
| the school district is expecting to make close to 30 | | | | good substitutes NOT do well as classroom teachers. |
| million dollars in budget cuts and may possibly lay off | | | | Teacher's Aide |
| as many as 400 teachers. | | | | Pros... |
| Therefore, finding a teaching job is more difficult than | | | | You are getting valuable teaching experience. Aides |
| ever before. And, the reality is, a new teacher may | | | | have tendency to do much more "teaching" in their |
| not find one the first go around. | | | | job. They are often working with individual students, |
| Therefore, prospective teachers will have to do | | | | learning from master teachers, and applying the |
| everything they can to get "their foot in the door" at | | | | teaching strategies learned in professional |
| local schools. | | | | development courses. This will look much better |
| The question is, "What is the best way for teachers | | | | when it comes to interviewing as you can discuss |
| to get their foot in the door in a way that will best | | | | actual lesson plans and various strategies you have |
| help them secure a teaching job down the road?" | | | | used in the classroom. |
| The two obvious choices are substitute teaching or | | | | Another strong argument for going this route is that |
| working as a teacher's aide. | | | | the contacts you make are much better. Since you |
| There are pros and cons to both... | | | | are working with only a handful of teachers you get |
| Substitute Teaching | | | | to know them well. Likewise, you have the |
| Pros... | | | | opportunity to get to know your administrators |
| By substituting you get to know many schools and | | | | better than a substitute and this can pay off big in |
| will know which one you would rather work at. You | | | | the long run. |
| will get to know many administrators and teachers | | | | Cons... |
| who can help you get a job either at their school or | | | | The major downside to working as a teacher's aide is |
| write recommendations and place phone calls to get | | | | that you are only in one school and usually only one |
| you in at another school. You will also get to work | | | | grade level/subject and therefore will not be able to |
| with many different grade levels and therefore get | | | | make nearly as many contacts or see different |
| to know which age group you like best. | | | | schools, grade levels, subjects etc. |
| Just remember, if you are going this route you must | | | | In the end, with teaching jobs becoming more |
| think of everyday as a job interview...dress the part, | | | | difficult to secure, a prospective teacher will need to |
| be professional, and MAKE CONTACTS. | | | | make the tough decision on which route to take in |
| | | | order to get their foot in the door. |
| Cons... | | | | Personally, when weighing the pros and cons I tend |
| Substituting is not teaching. Most teachers will leave | | | | to lean towards working as a teacher's aide. While |
| some type of busy work for the students when | | | | you will not make as many contacts, the contacts |
| they have a substitute teacher...or a movie. The | | | | you do make can always help you get a teaching job |
| reason is that the teacher doesn't usually know who | | | | at another school by simply writing a letter and |
| the sub is going to be and it is quite difficult to leave | | | | placing a phone call on your behalf. Plus, there is |
| extensive lesson plans for a sub. | | | | simply no substitute for real classroom experience. |
| The other problem is discipline...substituting can be | | | | |