Becoming a sub para

[Anonymous]

Depending on what age you’re subbing, a regular sub job might be “easier” — at the high school level it’s glorified babysitting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck getting paid! Some subs haven’t been paid since December despite being in long term sub positions. Others have only been paid once in 2025 for work they did in November 2024!

Do you know why this is happening? Sounds illegal for the school district to do this.

[Anonymous]

I was a para sub for several years before becoming a f/t MCPS employee. I really enjoyed it! It was a great opportunity to see what different schools and special ed programs were like. Note that only special ed paras are eligible to get subs! That's important to know I think you can still let the sub office know if you are only interested in subbing for paras. I believe the pay is somewhere around $20 per hour. Subs for teachers make more, but they also have a lot more responsibility.

If you sub in a self-contained classroom (for programs like CAPP, PEP, Autism, preschool DHoH, SCB, or LFI, you'll typically be with at least 1 and sometimes several other paras, plus a teacher. As a sub, they'd usually have me support the least-needy children, and the staff would take care of the ones with more challenges. I found the staff at most schools very kind and nice to work with, but you have to be willing to take direction and not think that you're going to sit there and do nothing. Working in self-contained classrooms, at least in elementary schools, is a physical job.

If you're subbing for other special ed elementary school paras who don't work in self-contained programs, you'll likely be the only para in a general ed classroom with one teacher. You'll be responsible for working with one, a few, or maybe a small group of students. These jobs won't be so physical, but you'll still need to have patience and be willing to take direction from the teacher.

As an elementary para sub, you will likely also have lunch or recess duty, or both, so dress appropriately for the weather. If you're in a self-contained classroom, you'll be helping kids with lunch, even to the point of feeding some of them (SCB and CAPP programs), and for recess you'd be outside with the kids and at least one other para. If you're subbing for a HSM or Focus para, you'll be part of a team of paras who monitor lunch and recess. The lunchrooms can get LOUD, so be prepared for that!

You'll find schools where you really like the people and the vibe, and others you won't care to go to again. If you like the school and the people, give the other paras your contact info so they can contact you directly when they need a sub. Also ask the secretary to put you on their preferred sub list, and they can call you when they need someone. I had three schools that I loved to work at and could have worked almost every day, if I'd chosen to. Good luck, OP! We need subs!!!

[Anonymous]

The PP is spot on from my experience. My experience is more in secondary but similar minus the recess but does include lunch support. I prefer LFI, SCB, Autism, and Extensions. It can be physical but if you find the right school you will have a great team and get to work with some amazing kids!! I have never had or heard of issues with pay!

I hope you consider it, para subs are in high demand and needed daily in these programs!


Best of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

All PreK and Head Start classrooms also have paras. These are general education classes that serve three and four year olds. There would be a teacher in these rooms as well.
Only certain para jobs are eligible for subs. Typically it is special ed paras, prek/ head start paras and occasionally long term subs for gen ed paras.

[Anonymous]

I think the issue with pay is related to the new site and particularly if you work at various locations. Some schools are better at processing the time cards than others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck getting paid! Some subs haven’t been paid since December despite being in long term sub positions. Others have only been paid once in 2025 for work they did in November 2024!

I’ve been a long and short term teacher sub in this time and haven’t had any issues getting paid. They’ve rolled out some new systems so maybe some schools are struggling figuring it out?

[Anonymous]

Apply for a child care job in DC. The pay is better.

https://dcchildcareconnections.org/career-opportunities/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good luck getting paid! Some subs haven’t been paid since December despite being in long term sub positions. Others have only been paid once in 2025 for work they did in November 2024!

Do you know why this is happening? Sounds illegal for the school district to do this.

MCPS is blaming it on the mid year switch from paper time sheets to electronic. But people were paid on time with 📝

[Anonymous]

I'm in another major city and sub Paras make about $90 a day in the city and about $70 in the burbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in another major city and sub Paras make about $90 a day in the city and about $70 in the burbs.

I don’t know what mcps pays now but it was $80 in 2001 when I did it. Pay has to be higher now.