Substitute Teacher Job Description

Being a teacher is no cake walk and this is an indisputable fact. The teachers are expected to be role models for the students, they are expected to be tolerant and compassionate towards each and every child in the class. Being a substitute teacher is even harder as the students tend to be biased towards the teaching methods of their previous teacher. That's only in cases where they liked the way the ex teacher taught. If not then consider yourself lucky, for you will get to create a harmonious rapport with the class as a whole. Proper classroom management, following the prescribed curriculum in an orderly manner while ensuring that the course is put forth in an interesting and interactive manner are some of the responsibilities of such teachers. The most important responsibility is to ensure that the students understand the content well and show their inquisitiveness to learn further.

Job Description
A substitute teacher is expected to follow certain dos and don'ts while teaching the class:

• Implement the lesson structure in time.
• The teacher will need to maintain the discipline among the students while ensuring that the students get to study and learn in a happy and positive environment.
• To protect and respect the confidentiality of the students under his / her supervision.
• To look after the mental, emotional and physical well-being of the students. To ensure that their safety and security is always treated as the top most priority.
• To report immediately to the appropriate authorities in case of injury, illness or indiscipline.
• To keep a report of the activities followed and study plans, so as to be referred by the permanent teacher on their return.
• To look after the school property, equipment and the belongings of the students while they are in class.
• To dismiss the class and only then to leave and lock up.

How to Become a Substitute Teacher

• You will need to contact your nearest local district office and place an appointment. Once you visit the district office, they will ask you to fill out an employment form that specifically states your preference and availability.
• Remember to carry an updated version of your resume and graduation degrees along.
• The candidates are required to have passed their bachelor's degree. Your course may be from any field and need not be related to the academic or educational field every time.
• Also inquire about the requirements of the schools that come under your district, such as what all are they expecting from job applicants.
• Some districts expect the candidates to pass the General Education Development Exam (GED), while some expect you to pass their own prepared exams. It all varies from place to place so it's better to do your research beforehand, rather than being unaware and missing out on opportunities.
• All types of teachers are unionized, therefore you will need to ask for a copy of the teachers' union contract.
• It is essential that you read and understand this contract thoroughly as it clarifies the requirements for this job profile. The contract will inform as to who will become your union representatives, and states your rights, salary benefits as well as liabilities as a per diem employee. This is because a substitute teacher is considered as a part-time job by the union.
• The other mandatory requisite is that you should not have a criminal record and that you should not have been convicted of a felony relating to minors.

Salary
The other requirement, is to figure out which type of teacher would you prefer to be. As there are two types, the first job description for a substitute teacher is to fill-in the place of the previous teacher for a few days or selected days in a week or month. The second being to fill-in for the regular teacher for longer durations, for example while the other teacher is on maternity leave or chronically unwell, pursuing an external masters course, etc.

The average salary may vary from one candidate to the other as it solely depends on the educational qualifications and years of experience of the person. Sometimes they pay on hourly basis which may be anywhere from $10-$14 for teachers with less than 2 years of teaching profile. While for experienced substitute teachers the per hour pay may be up to $20 - $30 or more but that is only availed of by highly qualified teachers. It is also important to note that in some districts a differential is paid to graduate students as well as candidates who are seeking teaching certifications.

A teacher's job never ends as they are expected to keep themselves up-to-date with the recent happenings in the world, to teach the students, all the important lessons of life that lie beyond the context of their textbooks so as to shape them into responsible and good human beings.