by Audrey Hart

Created on: March 21, 2009   Last Updated: March 27, 2009

Seeking energetic individuals who love kids, can stay calm in a stressful environment, stand on your feet most of the day with a good possibility of no breaks. During lunch the kids will have to go with you. A good bladder is needed also since bathroom breaks are not acceptable.

You will be called names, and definitely be disrespected , bullied and under-appreciated. The pay isn't great and the notice you are given when we need you will be short. Make sure you are comfortable enough with yourself to take on the roll of a person who has been educated in the position you will be filling in for. You will be tested by your students.

A substitute is a person who is up for a challenge. Someone ready for something different every day. If you need organization and routine this is not for you. Can you be a mentor, referee and an advocate.

Sometimes just an ear to listen. Yes this is a position you can choose out of three age groups and be off by four. But each age group comes with it's own trials and tribulations. Therefore a sub has to be ready for anything.

Remember walking into your class and seeing the "SUBSTITUTE"? Freedom! You felt the excitement that if for a brief hour your day was changed. It was exciting to have the opportunities to get away with anything . You could go to the bathroom, walk the halls, write notes, cheat, talk to your neighbor. While the teachers away the kids most definitely play holds very true no matter what age group.

If you were lucky the teacher was out a few days.

It takes a strong person to be a substitute. A person willing to stand up not only in front of , but to twenty intelligent and imaginative children. Children who are just as determined to achieve there goal as you are. You have to be very open minded and authoritative enough for them to respect and listen to you.

Kids can be very emotional, they can take the simplest thing out of context. When you have that many personalities in one place a confrontation can be guaranteed to come up with someone no matter how interesting the subject being taught. Always keep your poker face on. How you feel at the end of the day will decide if being a substitute is for you.

Above every other qualification a substitute should always leave at the end of the day , no matter how hectic and challenging , feeling useful and rewarded for making a difference in a child's day. If not subbing may not be right for you. If it is, just a small tip, always use the eyes in the back of your head.

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