TheApple

In my experience as a sub in 2 states (Virginia and California) there are minimum education and testing requirements.  For example, in Virginia Beach you must have at least 60 semester hours of education-related coursework completed (verified w transcripts),  go through a 3 day district mandated training program, have a TB screen done and be fingerprinted.  All of this takes time and a good chunk of cash (my fingerprinting in Cali cost me  over $100!). 

To go on to full time teaching, of course, would require a completed degree program including a student teaching experience, passing any pertinent tests (i.e. the Praxis), and applying for licensure through the state board of education.

 In addition, the requirements for substitute teaching vary state by state AS WELL as from one city to another.  In Virginia I have worked in 3 different cities, and while the basic education requirements are the same (60+ semester hours), the training and additional testing are not.

Perhaps your friend was thinking more along the lines of working as a paraprofessional and not a substitute. 

I would encourage your friend to look more carefully at what your state and city require of its substitute teachers because its NEVER as simplistic as taking a test and paying for a license.

 I have to agree!  as a teacher , I taught with a Vocational State License because of the Business & industry experience I possessed however, this was changed in 1996.

In the State of Minnesota this was changed where everyone has to at least possess a degree to teach in the college system and prepare with the Praxis I & II.

I went back to school for Organizational Management /Elementary Education since I worked with secondary students , special Ed, and K-12 after-school programs for computer training.

But i went back and received my degree , but now somehow , I feel as I have slipped through the cracks after researching a protocol that is widely used which I have  worked in almost every area of education except becoming a principal,  that is why I got a degree in Organizational Management/Education because i felt that later I would work with leaders who are the teachers when returning to receive my PHD.

Somehow I feel that your friend has to pay his or her dues other than doing a fingerprint and paying for a license. =) .., it will not be fair to other teachers who have worked long countless hours to arrive at the honor in being trusted by parents and administration at schools by calling us a teacher!

Please help teachers like us , Please understand that there are some people that keep saying that they will get paid even if the student do not want to learn!

How would your friend handle classroom management , teacher readiness , and conflict resolution in the classroom, administration and an angry parent?

This is not fair to the students & the teachers who are struggling for the respect from the public other than being visualized as a glorified Baby sitter.

Teachers are a beacon in the classroom and should be treated as respectful as possible with understanding that the long impression that your children would remember from their lives in school when they are motivated and engaged to become future leaders which we as teachers have a serious accountability issue if we fail to meet these standards.

In teaching the students will remember something that can either make or brake them for a lifetime.

I will say in closing that , God Bless this person for having the passion to substitute teach , but the standards are clear when some of us had to pay for many years to become an effective teacher in order to gain trust from the parents, students, and administration within the meso-system which is a long needed process we have to be trained to prepare for!

Respectfully

Passionate educator!

 I did and I also have an opinion as a teacher to share my indirect experiences in the state of Minnesota , just sharing some insights!

Good Luck to you!

Hello, I read through the responses and I wanted to express my views. Being a new teacher, getting substitution jobs right now is next to impossible. In Florida counties have different websites and post positions both full time and substitution. However if you have filled out the necessary paperwork and the county has a hiring freeze, your stuck. That is the boat that I am in right now. I am continuing to look, but I may have to wait until next school year. Hopefully I will have a full time position next school year. Between now and then, I was working in the county as a tutor and this may give me more contacts in the area.  I am beginning to truely believe its all about who you know than what you know in this field. (no disrespect intended) I am licensed in NC and eligible for a professional certificate for FL and I have my Master's in Secondary Education.  I also have a question for everyone  As a new teacher, how am I suppose to gain classroom experience if I am not given an opportunity? I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I can't think of another way to ask this. I am hoping that my tutoring will help me next year.

 Hello Colleen,

You did the right thing getting your feet wet and receiving your degree , however tutoring is not a bad way either to get in there because as we understand , unfortunately it is who you know, it is like me I am a teacher and a professional musician for 35 years I performed , but one year I had to quit because my daughter needed a heart and everyone thought that I was done teaching and performing.

So I went back to school to do my Bachelor's and Masters in Organizational Management / Elementary Education and Now I have arrived to what ???

The economy is a problem game !

But i still tutor and teach reading literacy using music and the creative arts.

But Now I am in the same position as you, I have 17 years of secondary and vocational teaching but now the industry is seriously saturated and it will take rubbing elbows with an individual who will trust you to give you the chance to become a team player.

I feel that whatever way you can help a person learn you are teaching and will be added to your experience, unfortunately money comes into the game as survival ,That is when it becomes a fierce and timely frustration when you are giving your all.

Hang in there , you are seriously passionate and will get a great position , just keep focus and add more experience to your belt.

Respectfully,

passionate teacher As well!