Anonymous
Post 12/03/2024 08:42     Subject: Substitute teacher in mcps
Anonymous wrote:Do they train the subs first? For how long?


There are several online modules (asynchronous). I don't believe there is any in-class or in person training.
Anonymous
Post 12/02/2024 23:43     Subject: Substitute teacher in mcps
Do they train the subs first? For how long?
Anonymous
Post 12/02/2024 21:27     Subject: Substitute teacher in mcps
Does anyone know if there are jobs posted as subs for paras?

My college aged daughter would like to do this but I think would be nervous being the main (sub) teacher for a full day. She'd be better off starting as a para until she gets the lay of the land. But I'm not sure if they even post jobs for para subs?
Anonymous
Post 12/02/2024 21:25     Subject: Substitute teacher in mcps
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My dh subs middle school on his days off of his FT job. He loves it. He has never had any real problem with kids (aside from too much talking). The plans teachers leave usually consist of pointing the students to some assigned work in canvas or maybe a worksheet. There's rarely ever real teaching. I think kids sometimes come asking for help on, say, math worksheets (he knows math well so it's easy but I don't think this happens as much as he would like). He likes MS because you only have a given set of kids for 45 (or whatever) minutes. He's hesitant to do ES because if you're subbing a class for a whole day, you presumably need to do more than hand out a worksheet and occassionally tell them to stop talking and get back on task.

(I think he probably does sit down most of the time-- I think the difference is ES vs MS. When the MS kids are working on their worksheets/canvas assignments, I don't see why he would be standing up.)

Incidentally, my college-aged dd has subbed ES but has only done it a few times during school breaks so I don't have a good handle one it. She's never had any problem, but I don't know more details.


Does he have to be there a whole day even if the classes are few?


Posted jobs would say if full day or not, but I think most are posted as full day. However, with full day, you get one or two periods off as well as llunch off. (You follow that teacher's daily schedule, and teachers get at least one period off plus lunch.)
Anonymous
Post 12/02/2024 19:14     Subject: Substitute teacher in mcps
Anonymous wrote:My dh subs middle school on his days off of his FT job. He loves it. He has never had any real problem with kids (aside from too much talking). The plans teachers leave usually consist of pointing the students to some assigned work in canvas or maybe a worksheet. There's rarely ever real teaching. I think kids sometimes come asking for help on, say, math worksheets (he knows math well so it's easy but I don't think this happens as much as he would like). He likes MS because you only have a given set of kids for 45 (or whatever) minutes. He's hesitant to do ES because if you're subbing a class for a whole day, you presumably need to do more than hand out a worksheet and occassionally tell them to stop talking and get back on task.

(I think he probably does sit down most of the time-- I think the difference is ES vs MS. When the MS kids are working on their worksheets/canvas assignments, I don't see why he would be standing up.)

Incidentally, my college-aged dd has subbed ES but has only done it a few times during school breaks so I don't have a good handle one it. She's never had any problem, but I don't know more details.


Does he have to be there a whole day even if the classes are few?
Anonymous
Post 12/02/2024 17:37     Subject: Substitute teacher in mcps
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sub way is atrocious. I don't know why anyone would do it.


lol..

I am trying to get back into a job after not working for more than a decade and a friend suggested being a sub. I have a degree in an unrelated field and I have forgotten everything I did before and I am over 50. Getting back into my old field is not possible now and I just need a job. I didn't know where to start and my friend said some of her other friends started out as subs when they had a long break as SAHMs.


The paraeducator jobs would probably be better if you can find a full-time one with benefits.


Para educators are supposed to be on their feet, just like subs. Neither is a desk job unless you’re phoning it in.


Good paras work their butts off for inadequate pay. The job requires a lot of energy, typically, and mental flexibility. Occasionally, a para might get a more sedentary job with a kid with eg a physical disability but normally they’re on feet all day - from the classroom to lunch or recess duty, depending on the school.
Anonymous
Post 12/02/2024 16:27     Subject: Substitute teacher in mcps
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sub way is atrocious. I don't know why anyone would do it.


lol..

I am trying to get back into a job after not working for more than a decade and a friend suggested being a sub. I have a degree in an unrelated field and I have forgotten everything I did before and I am over 50. Getting back into my old field is not possible now and I just need a job. I didn't know where to start and my friend said some of her other friends started out as subs when they had a long break as SAHMs.


The paraeducator jobs would probably be better if you can find a full-time one with benefits.


Para educators are supposed to be on their feet, just like subs. Neither is a desk job unless you’re phoning it in.
Anonymous
Post 12/02/2024 15:46     Subject: Substitute teacher in mcps
My dh subs middle school on his days off of his FT job. He loves it. He has never had any real problem with kids (aside from too much talking). The plans teachers leave usually consist of pointing the students to some assigned work in canvas or maybe a worksheet. There's rarely ever real teaching. I think kids sometimes come asking for help on, say, math worksheets (he knows math well so it's easy but I don't think this happens as much as he would like). He likes MS because you only have a given set of kids for 45 (or whatever) minutes. He's hesitant to do ES because if you're subbing a class for a whole day, you presumably need to do more than hand out a worksheet and occassionally tell them to stop talking and get back on task.

(I think he probably does sit down most of the time-- I think the difference is ES vs MS. When the MS kids are working on their worksheets/canvas assignments, I don't see why he would be standing up.)

Incidentally, my college-aged dd has subbed ES but has only done it a few times during school breaks so I don't have a good handle one it. She's never had any problem, but I don't know more details.
Anonymous
Post 12/01/2024 13:42     Subject: Substitute teacher in mcps
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Absolutely don't sub for elementary. Student behaviors might be better and less attitude than high school, but if you just want an easy gig, secondary is the way to go. You have to keep them entertained 45 minutes at a time, more than likely just working on worksheets or make-up work. Elementary you're on all day long and have to keep the same class entertained, not to mention bringing them to lunch, specials, etc.


Sub elementary if you want to actually teach. Go with middle or high school if it’s just a job. At upper levels, it feels more like babysitting. Elementary you’re trying to make it a regular day and you’re teaching content. You won’t sit all day in most classes. And yes, you will get sick subbing elementary. One of the most underpaid gigs around.


My DC in high school said subs have a "you scratch my back and i'll scratch yours" attitude -- you leave me alone to stare at my phone and I'll do the same for you. Is that true???


Sometimes. It depends on the sub plans and the sub. I always try to provide something meaningful as an activity.
Anonymous
Post 11/30/2024 14:34     Subject: Substitute teacher in mcps
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Absolutely don't sub for elementary. Student behaviors might be better and less attitude than high school, but if you just want an easy gig, secondary is the way to go. You have to keep them entertained 45 minutes at a time, more than likely just working on worksheets or make-up work. Elementary you're on all day long and have to keep the same class entertained, not to mention bringing them to lunch, specials, etc.


Sub elementary if you want to actually teach. Go with middle or high school if it’s just a job. At upper levels, it feels more like babysitting. Elementary you’re trying to make it a regular day and you’re teaching content. You won’t sit all day in most classes. And yes, you will get sick subbing elementary. One of the most underpaid gigs around.


My DC in high school said subs have a "you scratch my back and i'll scratch yours" attitude -- you leave me alone to stare at my phone and I'll do the same for you. Is that true???
Anonymous
Post 11/30/2024 14:32     Subject: Substitute teacher in mcps
Anonymous wrote:I don't care much about the pay at the moment. Just want to get back in some type of desk job which is not too difficult and where I don't have to stand for hours. Ideal would be learning on the job since I am a fast learner.


That is the opposite of a substitute. A teacher is not sitting at a desk and literally everything you do is hooked in with other people, all the time -- the kids, other teachers, admin, specials etc. If you want a desk job, teaching ain't it.
Anonymous
Post 11/24/2024 17:44     Subject: Substitute teacher in mcps
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sub way is atrocious. I don't know why anyone would do it.


lol..

I am trying to get back into a job after not working for more than a decade and a friend suggested being a sub. I have a degree in an unrelated field and I have forgotten everything I did before and I am over 50. Getting back into my old field is not possible now and I just need a job. I didn't know where to start and my friend said some of her other friends started out as subs when they had a long break as SAHMs.


Have you looked at other options within MCPS? There are openings for other positions besides teaching. One of those might work for your experience.


What other options besides subbing? I have no clue.


You should really make an account on the MCPS career site and see what's available. Subbing is one option. Secretary, office managers, paras, cafeteria workers, building service workers, coaches - it's all online. MCPS is a huge organization and needs a lot of employees to make everything function on a daily basis.
Anonymous
Post 11/24/2024 17:32     Subject: Substitute teacher in mcps
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sub way is atrocious. I don't know why anyone would do it.


lol..

I am trying to get back into a job after not working for more than a decade and a friend suggested being a sub. I have a degree in an unrelated field and I have forgotten everything I did before and I am over 50. Getting back into my old field is not possible now and I just need a job. I didn't know where to start and my friend said some of her other friends started out as subs when they had a long break as SAHMs.


The paraeducator jobs would probably be better if you can find a full-time one with benefits.


What do paras do? I asked one of my kids and they say that it is not just following one kid around but you have to be able to deal with their melt downs and sometimes kids run away in the hall, outside school, hit the adults and have behavior issues?


Paras do it all, from working with individual students or small groups to teaching classes for teachers if there isn't a sub or during IEP meetings. Paras usually have lunch and recess duty, as well. Paras who are in self-contained classrooms, for programs such as SCB and PEP have more physical duties, such as changing students or helping them in the bathroom, feeding students, etc.

Starting as a special ed para sub is a great way to see what being a para is like. You'll find that there are some schools and programs you really like and others that you'll never want to sub in again! But it's better than taking a permanent job and being miserable because you didn't know what to expect. Talk to the office that hires MCPS substitute teachers, they are the ones that hire subs, too.

Anonymous
Post 11/24/2024 17:25     Subject: Substitute teacher in mcps
Anonymous wrote:Absolutely don't sub for elementary. Student behaviors might be better and less attitude than high school, but if you just want an easy gig, secondary is the way to go. You have to keep them entertained 45 minutes at a time, more than likely just working on worksheets or make-up work. Elementary you're on all day long and have to keep the same class entertained, not to mention bringing them to lunch, specials, etc.


Teaching, and especially for those that have not done it on a regular basis or using it to get back into the work force and didn't have any school teaching experience from before, should have an age cut off (like we should have one for people to run for Legislative, Judicial and Executive branches). For teaching - 40 or 50yrs. You will be t.i.r.e.d.
Anonymous
Post 11/24/2024 17:24     Subject: Substitute teacher in mcps
None of my subs have ever taught anything. Teachers usually leave busy work and hope the sub reads the directions you leave for them. Many don’t. I had one last month who complained that the kids didn’t do the worksheets correctly. She said they didn’t read the directions. They are in kindergarten. Sigh.