Got Philk?

Ok, here's the situation. I just finished school and am certified to be a teacher. However, two problems arise. One, it's the middle of the school year and jobs are hard to find. Two, I live in Michigan and jobs are not in existence.

I have two potential options.
1. I could substitute teach all over this county. I'll lay it all out for ya. I have about 4 schools that would for sure use me as their sub...for all grades. And other days, any school can call me. The kicker is you only earn $75 a day. So, if I do work 5 days a week...and that's IF...I'd make what like $355 a week?
-but I get into more schools and learn a lot about classroom management and classroom ideas. And I get in more schools...but I don't really want to stay in Michigan.

2. I applied for and interviewed for what is called a para-professional position at the school I student taught at. This job is full time at $9 an hour. I'd be helping a 5th grade teacher who has 37 students in his class. I would be teaching both large and small groups, I would be in charge of a lot of classroom behavior issues(there is usually one or two kids suspended a week from this class), and I would have to do recess/lunchroom duties.

Ok, based on that...what do you think I should do? Educators, what would be a better option as far as experience...what do principals want of me???

Any questions?

Bono's shades

Based on my memory of how substitute teachers got treated by students when I was going to school, I say go for the second option.

Do substitute teachers get anything in the way of health insurance or other benefits?

redkat

One of my best friends got her permanent teaching position by subbing and getting to know teachers and administrators. I say the first option and hopefully you can get in next year.

anitram

My brother is subbing right now, having graduated from teachers' college last summer.

The pay where you are is ridiculous; his school board pays $160/day for supply teaching.

He says it's actually been a great experience because he really got to learn classroom control well, he saw a wide range of students and made lots of contacts at different schools. This is helpful for getting a full time position eventually but also in letting him know about the different schools in the district, and how they rate, etc.

VintagePunk

I agree. My nephew was in the same position, and subbed for a year or two before he got a permanent position. He got to know a lot of people, he was well liked and requested very often, and he got along well with the kids (high school age) because he's fairly young, personable, and also a big guy that kids that age wouldn't want to mess with too much.

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Got Philk?

Ok, I agree with this all. But what if I have no desire to stay here in Michigan? Does that change anything?

Liesje

(Benefits are not a huge issue since we are covered through me at the moment.)

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anitram

Depends on how long you are planning on staying. If you want to leave within the next year, then networking in Michigan is kind of useless.

But if you're thinking about staying for maybe 2-4 more years, I'd supply teach and hope for full time to come up.

zuropa_fit

Subbing you get to know a lot of schools/ principals/teachers and find out where you do and don't want to teach but if you're pretty sure you're moving out of state then go for the other job.

Also the para-professional (teacher's aide? co-teacher?) job you'll get more ideas about classroom management and what works for you in developing a relationship with students. I'm a teacher and from what I can tell, subs don't do a whole lot of teaching or classroom management. They kinda seem like babysitters. My student aides usually wind up teaching the class when I'm gone.

achtung_girl

Come to Europe. In my country teachers are federal employees and they earn very well (to much in my opinion, I mean for what they do...it seems like the good payment barely helps them with their motivation; I think it's the same motivation when you get 9$/ h )
+ we have teacher shortage.

Lila64

Wouldn't this be an issue if you decided to move out of state? Wouldn't you have to look for a new job (preferrably with benefits) as well?

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Galeongirl

I'd say be a sub first, you get treated and paid like shit, but it'll gain you experience. It would look good on your resume and will get you connections, so you can get a better job easier.

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Got Philk?

Well, if we move out of state, that would mean I had a teaching job and I would provide the bene's.

I still don't know what to do, but this all could be unnecessary since, I don't really have that second job yet. I haven't found out.

martha

Both options sound good, but subbing would be better for actually getting a job. I subbed for many years and got to be well-known around the district. That helped me get the job I have now a mile from my house.

Subbing gets your foot in the door; if you're any good, and can actually teach, principals will be happy to see you show up in the morning. Your good reputation will make it easier to get that full-time job when it's available. People retire, get sick, get married, move away. A job or two will open up, maybe not this year, but next fall. If you've subbed and made a name for yourself, they'll remember you and want you on their staff.

Where can your Michigan credential take you? Which states will take a credential from Michigan? Didn't you go for special ed? Everyone wants special ed teachers.

Laura M

Where do you live? I'm teaching in Europe and I'm sure it would be a different situation if I could speak the language here and work in other schools but I've heard lots of negative things from teachers about their (previous) jobs in this country. And the pay, well ours causes a lot of friction. We take home slightly more than Phil would if he subbed 5 days a week.

I would say do the subbing work.