If you are looking to make a career switch to substitute teaching, there are several steps you will need to take to make that dream a reality. Certification is one important step in reaching the goal of becoming a substitute teacher.

You will need to first decide what age range of student you wish to teach. Knowing this information will help you select the correct college classes that will give you the preparation you need to teach the age level you wish. If you are not sure, you will be given opportunities in the college class setting to gain a bit of experience teaching different age levels, and this will help clarify which you prefer.

You will also need to think about what you wish to teach. Some teachers are generalists while others are specialists. You can specialize in special education, physical education, driver’s education, the arts or music. Typically, elementary teachers are generalists, because they teach every subject to their young students. The more areas in which you receive enough education means a greater number of endorsed areas on your certificate, which will be a boon to the substitute teacher, who can be asked to teach any subject as needed by a school district.

All teachers must have at minimum a four-year college degree in some subject. In addition, you will receive specialized training in education to learn how to teach. You will spend time observing certified teachers in the classroom. This also includes a certain amount of time spent as a student teacher. Your master teacher will help you gain experience in the classroom actually teaching students. You’ll start by observing the teacher at work, and discussing the procedures and topics. Over time you will get worked into the teacher’s schedule, until eventually you will fully take over one or more of the teacher’s regular classes.

Your master teacher will observe you and give you valuable feedback so that you will improve your skills. You will also be able to ask questions and get any clarification you need. You might also be asked to attend usual meetings that the teacher attends, to get a feel for what happens behind the scenes after the students are gone. You might also get asked to help out with after-school activities, practices or rehearsals, especially if your teacher’s teaching area is performance related, such as a PE teacher or a drama or choir teacher. All of these experiences will help give you the training you need to step into an educational setting successfully.

By: Susan Slobac

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