Top Ten Benefits of Being a Substitute Teacher
May 17, 2008 by jobconger
Introduction: In Springfield, Illinois, the term “substitute teacher” is an anachronism like “secretary” and “really swell.” It was used in the headline to this blog because most readers would not recognize the new term, “guest teacher,” which is used herein.
10. Watching the dawn creep through your windows following your awakening to a 6:05 assignment call.
9. Mastery of hyper-fast hygene when the service calls at 7:20 and you’re asked if you can make it across town by 8:00. (The answer is always YES.)
8. Hearing the groans of “challenging” students you’ve encountered before as they enter the room expecting to find their regular favorite teacher and discover you instead.
7. Being called “Abraham Lincoln” and “Santa Claus” if you have hair growing on your chin. (May not apply to female guest teachers.)
6. Savoring your traditional guest teacher lunch: vending machine Fritos Chili Cheese corn chips with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for dessert, washed down the hatch with a Mountain Dew. Some guest teachers visit the cafeteria for lunch, but they are usually married, with excess discretionary income.
5. Free Kleenex.
4. Friendly recognition from students you have served well. (Priceless)
3. The satisfaction of living frugally because the pay you earn while guest teaching the Friday after the end of the most recent pay period will not arrive for FOUR MORE THURSDAYS.
2. Engaging teacher preparation time (when you’re not asked to monitor a study hall or elsewhere) by writing poems and top ten lists.
1. The pay check!
Live long . . . . . . and proper.
bravo!
my top ten would be quite similar, although I have to bring my own Kleenex, at least for the high school gigs.
(elementary school always has plenty, but that’s because the kids have to bring a certain number of boxes per year.)
I also get a free lunch, but it’s limited to the “daily special.”
I won’t go into detail…
take care,
Patty
http://paporartist.typepad.com/sub
Per diem of $75 hasn’t changed in six years. No local district has seen fit to bid more (or less) for subs. State DOE disclaims existence of any sub(sistence) wage-setting regs, professes “interest” in reports of collusive wage-setting by districts (then no follow up). IS THIS SOME KIND OF QUASI-VOLUNTEER WORK?
Until I can find a hummin’ bean who will pay me fairly for that I can contribute beyond substitute teaching, quasi-volunteer work will have to do. Thank you Patty and mwolfman for reading and commenting.