How to Teach Your Way Through the Recession

Make Money by Substitute Teaching While Finding a Job or New Career

Sep 18, 2009

Many today are hurting because of the recession. Substitute teaching is one way to make money on a flexible schedule that helps pay the bills while looking for work.

Whether they have been laid off, or lost their jobs for good, many are looking for ways to survive financially and emotionally these days. Not surprisingly, this has led to anxiety and depression as well. For most, the most pressing dilemma is how to earn enough money to tide them over until they can find a new job, or train for a new career.

Opportunities for Substitute Teachers

Given the number of laid-off teachers and "alternate route" candidates (those with subject expertise to teach without teacher training), it's not as easy to become a substitute teacher as it used to be. Some school districts are closed to new applications given the surge of applications. But there are still opportunities, depending on the school district, area of expertise, and candidate qualifications.

Salary differs according to experience and other factors. An August 29, 2009 article by Melissa Kahney at educhoices.org "Certified Substitute Teacher: Average Salary of a Certified Substitute Teacher," quotes wages of 10 to 30 dollars an hour, and a national average of $105 for a full day.

The Advantages of Substitute Teaching

Because assignments are usually on a day by day basis, and at the discretion of the substitute (who can refuse an assignment), substitute teachers can plan job interviews or other activities around substitute teaching. Typically, substitutes work a 6 to 7 hour day ending around 3:00 p.m., which allows other commitments to be scheduled later in the day.

Substitute teachers follow instructions left by the absent teacher and are not responsible for developing lesson plans. That means that when the keys are given back at the end of the day, the work is finished. There is no homework to grade, or any school-related problems to deal with, meaning the substitute can immediately turn his or her attention to other things.

The steps involved are spelled out at length in "How To Become a Substitute Teacher." The first step is to contact the local school district and learn what the requirements are. They vary from state to state as well as within school districts. Some accept those with high school diplomas while others require a college degree or even the same education and credentials as regular teachers. After qualifying based on education level, there are various other requirements depending on the state, such as getting fingerprinted.

Some may find that they like teaching enough to make it a new career. If so, trying it out first as a substitute has the added advantage of trying out with different grade levels and gain experience with teaching methods and classroom management before they make a commitment. Also, anyone with an interest in teaching at higher levels of education may find work at a college or university if they qualify as Adjunct Professors.

Finding a job in the current market is clearly a challenge. For many, the most pressing problem is lack of money and no immediate prospects for employment. Substitute teaching is one possible solution, offering flexibility as well as a paycheck until a long-term solution is found. Although it's harder to find substitute teaching opportunities than before, the opportunity still exists. Take the first step by contacting a local school district today.

The copyright of the article How to Teach Your Way Through the Recession in Job Search is owned by Elizabeth Harrington. Permission to republish How to Teach Your Way Through the Recession in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.