Being a Substitute Teacher
Fourth period began the same as third: introduce myself as the substitute teacher, take attendance, and provide an overview of the day’s activities. Suddenly, the sound of my voice was drowned out by the sound of the fire alarm; the students looked to me for guidance. I thought, “Oh my gosh! This is the true test of being a substitute teacher! I have to remember what to do!” Trusting my instincts and an entire summer’s training, I rose from the teacher’s chair, grabbed the class roster and the sign for the classroom, and led the students safely outside. As we exited the school, I laughed to myself at how being a substitute has challenged me in the best possible way, especially with unexpected events like a fire drill.
Like most college students, I have to pay bills, such as tuition, rent, and internet. To make ends meet, I decided to get a job as a substitute for the Clark County School District. I am able to add practical experience to my CV, which helps my goal of getting into graduate school. In addition, I get to spend my days off from school making money doing something I enjoy.
I have been a substitute teacher for less than six months, so I still experience first-day jitters each time I accept a job at a new school. However, the nerves from my very first substitute job were certainly the worse. That first day, I found myself thinking, “Do I really want to do this? Maybe I should just stick to a regular job at UNLV.” The first-day anxiety I have experienced since kindergarten revealed itself once again. Powering through the overwhelming urge to turn my car around and head for another state, I continued to drive to the middle school I had never been to before. It was exactly 6:30am when I approached the school. Another wave of worry set in as I wondered where the front office was, who I was supposed to talk to, and where my classroom was. Sadly, these questions reoccur each time I substitute, but when I find my classroom – from that very first day to the present — every bit of worry evaporates. I am not only ready, but excited.
Each day, I am given new reasons to love my job. Going to schools and seeing just how much potential some children have is one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching. In fact, as I visited a magnet high school, I watched seniors use professional photography equipment as they discussed the potential of majoring in art in college. Hearing these conversations and watching young adults find their paths, I cannot help but feel pure joy.
Of course, being a substitute is not my only role in life, and with my other responsibilities, I noticed that the stress can be quite overwhelming. With my own classes, the time I spend in a research lab, and preparing for graduate school, I find myself quite busy. Finding a balance between all the stress in my life has come down to one thing: Pilates. Since I am taking Pilates for credit this semester, it is an absolute requirement for me to stop worrying about everything else and focus on exercising. Creating this space for self-care is the best decision I’ve made because it allows me to step back from my responsibilities as a substitute for long enough to focus on my own well-being.
Through every challenge, pulse of anxiety, and my tendency to get lost inside each school, I still find myself excited to accept substitute positions on my days off from school. Nothing compares to the fascinating nature of young students’ minds, especially as they push themselves intellectually. In reality, some people probably see being a substitute as just another job, but I see it as a potential a career opportunity. Whether teaching at the collegiate level or at a high school, I know that I’ll be following my bliss.
If you’re interested in becoming a substitute teacher for the Clark County School District, follow this link to learn more: https://ccsd.net/employees/current/pdf/BecomeSubstituteTeacher.pdf
Kristy is a dual-major in English and psychology. She has been a member of the Interactive Measurement Group since spring 2016 and is also a member of the Murray Social Psychology Lab. Kristy’s research with Dr. Barchard, experience as a teaching assistant for an Introduction to Statistical Methods course, and substitute teaching position for the Clark County School District have inspired her to earn a Ph.D. in Social Psychology. After earning her Ph.D., she would like to pursue a career in teaching, while she writes fictional books during her free time.