After getting my teaching credentials and joining the workforce as a substitute teacher, I thought about starting a blog many many times to share my thoughts and experiences. I would encounter situations where I wonder what other people thought or would do differently. I would often think too, what a great tip to pass on! But something was always coming up and I never got around to it. Suddenly, it is July and I had a year of substituting under my belt! Oh well, better late than never.
When I graduated last spring from UW Bothell, I was hopeful that despite the dour economy, I would be one of those exceptional graduates who would be hired in my dream job. Never mind that my dream job (1/2 time job share in a classroom, elementary grade, Shoreline School District)barely existed and that I had five billion competitors vying for each opportunity. Despite applying for every part time job in two school districts, my optimism was not rewarded. However, I was accepted into every substitute pool I applied for which did console me quite a bit.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only do I enjoy subbing, but that I am thriving in this environment. I love the flexibility in work time, I enjoy leaving at the end of the day and being DONE, I love working with and learning from so many different teachers, and I love meeting and knowing all the different kids at various schools.
I had so many wonderful, thoughtful, and just plain weird experiences this past year. I expect and anticipate more this coming year.
Welcome to the "force"!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to join the force. I saw many teacher community blogs but not nearly as many substitute blogs. I know many of my graduating class are substitutes now and so str the upcoming graduating classes from my alma mater. There are so much that are worthwhile to share. Thank you for putting it out there.
ReplyDelete"..being DONE"
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the best parts of this job...unless it's a long term thing and then it becomes a "real job"