More Harry Potter and some Real Life info

[charliesmum]

Ya know, for anyone who really thought JKR just made it up as she went along, I'd like to point out something.

There's a bit in DH where Hermione mentions something as a class B tradeable thingy, and says it is in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." I have that book, as I am sure most of you do, and naturally I looked it up and sure enough it is in there. I just think that is so cool.

So if my luck holds, it looks as though I will be a substitute teacher. I have to get this child abuse history clearance thingy taken care of, which takes about 3 weeks, but, assuming the woman in charge doesn't decide I'm horribly unqualified all of the sudden, I should be good to go when the school year starts.

She also assured us (there were about 8 of us there) we would be guarenteed work every day, should we choose to take it. The pay rate is anywhere between $75-$110 a day, depending on the school. Still no benefits, but I'll deal with that as soon as I feel more settled.

It still isn't fabulous money, but it is a job I think I will be good at, and something I believe I will enjoy, and the hours are good, mom-wise.

I'm pretty excited, really. There's a large part of me that is afraid it is all too good to be true. My luck doesn't usually tend to getting a job I like, but maybe this is it. My density. I'd planned to be a teacher once upon a time, but my grades weren't so great when I was in the program, so I switched majors. Panicked, I guess. So maybe this will open doors for me. Maybe I'll get a teaching certificate or something. Who knows. It will be nice to say, when people ask what I do, "I'm a teacher".

Comments

[jandyle.livejournal.com]

How exciting! Good for you. And even if the pay isn't great, an extra $400-$500 dollars a week sure can't hurt! I'm happy for you. :)

[fayzalmoonbeam.livejournal.com]

Yay for you joining the teaching profession *hugs*. Which subjects will you be doing, or will it depend on the schools? And is there a particular age group you'll be working with? Sounds like good way to see if you like doing it, and then, as you say, possibly going on to get the certificate.

If you need any help/advice, I'm happy to share what I can about getting the buggers to behave (to quote a course I was once sent on!), so feel free to ask :)

[lietya.livejournal.com]

It probably depends on the school system and the agency placing the subs, but in many cases there are no limitations as to subject or age - you can teach kindergarten one day and high school math the next. Which makes it a great way to figure out which subjects and grade levels you like (and don't!), to be sure.

[charliesmum.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I probably will need help. Any advice you have will be willingly listened to!

[lietya.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

Not to rain on your parade, but you should probably be prepared for this job to be more stressful than straight teaching; my husband found subbing more difficult and frustrating because of being bounced around and never being able to prepare "real" lesson plans. (He also had trouble working every day per week despite the same promises, but unless you're working with Kelly Services I wouldn't worry about it - they're the ones he was under.)

[wolfma.livejournal.com]

Yes.

It's my experience that they put you with the worst classes first, too.

[lietya.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, yes. Because the experienced subs learn to *recognize* those, and turn it down!

He was quite amazed by how much easier regular teaching was - not least because now he would have more than a day or two in a row to train the kids to behave. :)

(He did subbing for six months while looking for a permanent position.)

[wolfma.livejournal.com]

My mom was a regular teacher for ten years back in the '60s and then a sub in the '80s. She liked being a sub better in one way: no staff meetings. :D

[charliesmum.livejournal.com]

Can you ask your husband if he brought stuff with him? I'm wondering if I need a 'teacher bag' with extra things in it, pens and whatever, maybe some books to read younger classes if there isn't a lesson plan or something like that. Did he do anything like that?

And thanks.

I'm hoping the promise the woman made is a true one. *fingers crossed*

[lietya.livejournal.com]

He brought spare pens - but don't expect to see them again. :) The rest was always supplied; for the older classes, the regular teacher usually left a movie or a book. If you're *lucky* the teacher gives you a lesson plan and expects you to be able to teach it, but a lot of the time it's sort of babysitting, he says.

(I asked him just now, and he says he didn't bring much besides his own lunch and sometimes pens, and "usually teachers will leave everything you need.")

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

[wolfma.livejournal.com]

Congratulations-or condolences. ;)

If anyone can be a good substitute, it's you.

[katje0711.livejournal.com]

Peter is looking into being a sub, as well. Good luck!

[http://users.livejournal.com/butter_cup_/]

Fantastic! Substitute teaching is a great way to sample everything that teaching has to offer so you can decide what area gives you the most satisfaction. Grab the opportunity with both hands and expect great things!

[daisylily.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!

Be optimistic and assume that it will go well and you enjoy it, and you'll probably find that that's what happens.

[sing1118.livejournal.com]

I'm interviewing for substitute teaching, too!

[finmagik.livejournal.com]

Good luck, My mom was sub for years. I know you'll do a good job.

[chrysantza.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! I hope they find you lots of work!

[femaelstrom27.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on this job!! It sounds terrific.

I feel I should warn you, though you're probably already aware, that the kids will sometimes be little asshats :0 and they will not want to do work. (Sadly, I speak as someone who laughed in a sub's face last spring when she told us to do some work.) But no one liked her and she was always drunk. So I guess the moral of the story is, be nice to the kids and they'll be nice to you. And don't drink on the job. Good lord I'm tired.