What is a Substitute Teacher?

A Substitute Teacher is a professional (if they choose to be) who teaches a school class when the regular teacher is unavailable because of illness or other reasons.  The phrase "substitute teacher" is generally used in the United States, Canada and Ireland.  "Supply Teacher" is the more common term in the United Kingdom and is sometimes used in Canada.  "Relief Teacher" is used in Australia.  Various other terms are used to describe the substitute teacher such as "teacher on call" in the Canadian province of Bristish Columbia.  Bookmark us here: Click here to add this page to your favorites

What information can you expect to find on this web site?

• General qualifications
• Qualification for specific areas
• Different perceptions of the substitute teacher profession
• Pay rates
• Substitute teacher daily routines
• Substitute teaching tips and tools of the trade
• Education for substitute teachers
• Classroom management
• Lesson Plans for the substitute teacher caught without any left behind by the absent teacher
• and more......

In some regions, the qualifications for being a substitute teacher are as strict as for the regular teacher.  Some areas require a college degree and the successful completion of competency tests.  Other regions require only that the applicant possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.  Some school administrators may not hire full-time teachers unless they have been substitute teachers.  The qualifications vary from location to location and will be discussed in detail throughout the pages of this web site. Bookmark us here if you like:Click here to add this page to your favorites

You can be a professional as a substitute teacher and substitute teaching can be very rewarding.  This web site can serve as a resource and tool toward the goal of your personal professionalism as a substitute teacher.  If you plan to make a career of substitute teaching it is far better to acquire a professional attitude about your work.  However, keep in mind, generally speaking substitute teachers are considered to be marginal members of the education community and may be considered as a "warm body" or "baby-sitter" who is just in the classroom to fill a void while the regular teacher is out.  If you want to strive to make a real difference in the career of substitute teaching, you will need to arm yourself with much more than what is commonly perceived of you.  This can be a great challenge!  It is attainable. Bookmark us here: Click here to add this page to your favorites

One of the greatest challenges attributed to substitute teachers is classroom management as students generaly view the presence of a substitute teacher as the signal to misbehave.  With the added challenge of working in a classroom with incomplete or missing lesson plans to work from, you definitely will be a step ahead of the game if you come prepared with some of your own.  Most school systems demand their regular teachers leave such material for the substitute, however, there are times when a teacher is suddenly called away from her post, and in these times, you will be glad to have had your extra bag of tricks hanging on your arm when you enter the classroom.

Pay Rates

This can be disappointing if your main goal of substitute teaching is only for the pay.  In the United States the position is often very poorly paid.  The national average is only about $65 per day in the year of 2007.  Some school districts may pay significantly more according to your education, experience and their need for substitute teachers.  In the United Kingdom, their rate of paying is much different than in the United States.  Pay rates will be dicussed in further detail according to the region throughout the pages of this web site.  Bookmark us to return later as the site grows into a complete reference for the substitute teacher. Bookmark us here: Click here to add this page to your favorites

Navigation of the site

Use the menu bar to your left and at the bottom of each page to navigate successfully throughout the site.  Your comments and suggestions are always welcome and appreciated.  Use the Contact link to find contact information and where to send your comments and suggestions.  Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to bookmark us.  This site will be continually growing and in progress.  Please, by all means, send me your articles or any information you would like to share with others on the subject of "substituting teaching."

Enhance Your Teaching Experience By Teaching English In Germany
By Michelle Simmons

Are you interested in teaching English abroad? Are you
considering teaching English in Germany? If so, you may find the
path ahead of you surprisingly easy!

Germany, with tight business connections to the Western world
and a large amount of well-educated citizens and available
universities, can always use English teachers. A high value is
placed on native-speaking English teachers, particularly those
from the United States and England. And unlike some other
countries, where the red tape involved in getting a teaching job
is almost too much to deal with, becoming a teacher in Germany
is fairly straightforward and simple. You don't have to worry
about getting sponsored for a visa or working illegally. All you
really have to do is find a job... and even that is far from
difficult.

In order to be qualified to teach English in Germany, you must
be a native English speaker and hold certification in TEFL
(Teaching English as a Foreign Language). If you have those two
requirements under your belt, and you are aware that you'll be
living in Germany for at least a year, you're ready to begin
your job search.

Some people suggest that it's easiest to find teaching jobs in
the smaller cities in Germany. If you're looking in a large
metropolis, it's going to be more difficult to find schools that
need your help- not to mention more expensive to live once
you're hired. Regardless of what city you choose, your first
step is to contact schools in the area by letter or in person,
and inquire about available jobs.

Once you have received a job offer, your best bet is to get it
in writing and then head to the local registration office. They
will be able to supply you with a three-month visa while the
rest of the paperwork is organized. If you are from the United
States or England, all you need in order to work legally in
Germany is a residency permit. In order to obtain this you will
have to have proof of employment, health insurance, and proof of
payment into a pension fund, as well as a German address. Use
your three-month visa in order to obtain these things, and then
return to the registry office for your legal work and residency
permit.

Those teaching English in Germany are paid quite well,
particularly in comparison to teachers in other foreign
countries. You may expect the equivalent of around $20 US
dollars an hour... however, be aware of the fact that taxes in
Germany are sky-high, and your take-home pay won't be anywhere
near this amount. It's best to research this situation and work
with your employer regarding how much money you will need to
live comfortably. Too many English teachers in Germany are
unprepared for the tax situation and end up taking a job that
seems high-paying enough... but isn't once the taxes kick in.

You can also avoid the tax problem by becoming a full-time
teacher. Many English teachers in Germany work on a freelance
basis, which is why they are taxed so badly. You may have an
ongoing contract with a school, but unless they are willing to
put you on the payroll as a full-time employee you will be
subject to large taxes. Consider finding a school that is
willing to officially hire you full-time to avoid losing this
large chunk of your income.

Germany is starved for English teachers, and if you have the
right qualifications and a solid sense of adventure, teaching
English in Germany can be a great experience. Centrally located
in Europe, Germany is a hub for travelers, tourists, and
educators alike. It's a great place to begin your TEFL career.

About the Author: Michelle Simmons is a contributing editor for
ESLemployment, the leading job and resource site for the
Teaching English Industry. Interested in receiving hundreds of
Teaching English jobs listings weekly for free? To learn more
visit http://www.eslemployment.com

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