It sounds good. Choosing your days to work, selecting which schools to go to, deciding whether or not to answer the phone on an early Monday morning. But what about those weeks when you just aren't being called and you really need to pay your rent or electic bill-or both. This is when having a working mate is ideal and you are just making extra spending cash. But, then again, what if it's your livelihood for the time being?

In order to even sign up for substitute teaching, you have to dish out some cash. The cost depends upon the county you register with. In Illinois it runs an average of $50 for a sub certificate. It lasts for at least four years. That's not bad, unless you are strapped for cash in the first place. The pay is good, fluctuating from county to county-about $35 to $80 a day in Illinois, from small town to large city.

The good side is that you don't have a set schedule, and the bad side is that you don't have a set schedule, at least not starting out. Some people do make a career out of subbing. This way they don't have lesson plans to prepare and crafts to cut out to put on the walls. They can walk into a classroom ready to go with teacher's notes and a few helpful students. Generally, students are willing to listen as long as you don't play dictator (especially with the higher grades). You can still teach them and keep control of your classroom while buddying around with them for the day. They are usually eager to help new blood.

What are the qualifications? You will need to have your bachelor's degree in any subject. Superintendents of schools look for the number of hours you were in school, not what subjects you took. Turn in your transcripts and money and you are good to go. If you do not have a bachelor's degree, you can still apply to be a substitute aide with an associate's degree.

It can be a lonely field at first. You are in a school surrounded by teachers and students you don't know. You will be talked about and critiqued. Possibly even criticized. It all comes with the new territory. If it's right for you, you'll stick it out and enjoy it for several school years to come. And now many substitute offices have a way for teachers and aides to check for open schedules online. This can help cut down on some of the early morning phone calls if you didn't plan to teach that day.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Davis.
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