Being a substitute teacher is easy once you get through the mound of paperwork they have. Start with the application. That is the easy part. Make sure you have a really good resume to include with your application.

You'll have the fingerprints to get done. Sometimes you can get them done with a scanner. Other times, you'll have to do the ink method. Sometimes they don't read like they are supposed to. You'll have to pay the person to do the fingerprints and pay to have them run the check on it. For me, they did it through the state patrol.

Most school districts will want references. Ask people you know will talk positively about you. Try to ask your supervising teacher or Principal you had for student teaching. You can possibly use your placement file for the references. You'll have to check first with the district. Some school districts won't accept a placement file at all.

They have sexual reference forms now in Washington state. You have to send a form to every school you've ever worked at in the past. After you start working for the district, you just have to send them to the school districts you worked in that past year.

You'll have to fill out the direct deposit slips and tax forms. You may have to go through a CPR or an AIDS training. Some schools also require drug tests.

After you get into the system, you need to find out how you'll be informed of jobs. Some will make you look online for substitute jobs, some will call with a computer, some will call with a person, and some will let you do it a few different ways.

Once you get your assignment, make sure you know where you need to go. Arrive a little early the first time to get acquainted with the emergency drills, staff lounge, bathrooms, and office. You will also be able to review lesson plans.

Be flexible with your day. Sometimes the day doesn't go as planned because you are a guest teacher. Learn from your mistakes and get better with each passing job.

Make sure to leave a short note for the teacher letting him/her know how your day went. If you can, make some business cards with your name, number, and what your qualifications are.

Sign out in the office. Be friendly with the office staff and janitorial staff. They will make your life easier. Be nice to the teacher. Realize sometimes the paraeducators and the teachers may be bossy or look down upon you. If you can get through that, the rest is a piece of cake.

Learn more about this author, Suzanne Fort.
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