Substitute teaching?

abbyanneheird

Ive been thinking about substitute teaching before going back to work full-time once baby is here to allow me to earn money but also spend time with our son. Has any one done this? I also thought about starting now just on the days I have off already to earn a little extra cash. I've heard it's flexible and a good way to earn extra money. Just wanted to get input from anyone who's subbed before, pregnant and/or after giving birth.

camusoh2011

Do you have experience in education? It is a great way to earn a little money, and I had considered it for after December when I graduate from college, but I figured at that point I'd be huge and uncomfortable so I didn't renew my subbing contract with my district. 

cantobean

In my school district, you have to have a teaching license to be a sub. I suspect it is this way in most districts. Maybe not in charter schools.

cvolkmar

I know in the state of IL any new subs (and current subs, once their certification expires) will have to pass a Basic Skills test.  Easy right?  It currently has less than a 30% success rate. I know every district I have worked in (which is 3 in 2 different states) is having a major sub shortage.  

With that said, teaching is not all fun and games.  Actually, "fun" is SOOOO hard to integrate in the classroom anymore and games are pretty much non-existent. Do you have any experience?  Even if you're not special education certified or subbing in a SPED room, you'll have students with IEPS in the classes - behavior, medical, academic needs, etc.  I applaud your desire to want to make more money, I'm just saying substitute teachers just can't show up anymore and play "Heads Up, Seven Up" or show a movie.  Education is stressful, even as a sub.

Ask yourself if added $$ will outweight the potential added stress?

mamacat315

I was a high school teacher in CA for years and often subbed when my school was on break (private school, different schedule). All districts and autonomous charter schools required a current teaching credential to sub. This was in 2011. Even as an experienced teacher who loved the job, I thought subbing was THE WORST. Teenagers are crazy when they feel like they can get away with something. And passing out "busy work" sheets and playing movies seems easy enough but gets old. Just my opinion.

slthomp92

In Texas, you only need 30 hours college credit to qualify.

Kids think they're off the hook when their regular teachers aren't around. They will try their best to make your life difficult. Subbing can be brutal, so I'm not sure it's something I would want to do after a baby.

abbyanneheird

Here in Arkansas you do not need a license to sub, but if you have one, the pay is more. My sister is a 1st grade teacher so I know it's not fun and games. She calls me every day to talk about her day! My Aunt was also a sub the majority of her life and she's the one who has influenced me to consider it. I do have experience teaching dance classes to ages 2-18, but not classroom experience. Some may think teaching dance is easy, but it's not when you have 25 little girls running around! Hehe. Just wanted to hear from women who had done it before. Still considering it, as of right now I'm a full time Veterinarian tech.

inomniaparatus

If you're state allows it, why not?
Seems like a nice way to make money and you don't have to do it every day.

SoSirius

You don't have to really commit so just try it. I am an elementary school teacher and talking about it is not anything like doing it. You don't know what it's like no matter how many stories you hear. Also, there is something about kids who HAVE to come to school and those who are doing an activity they enjoy (or even an activity in general where they can move around a lot). Those classes also don't last all day.

With that said, subbing is different from being an actual teacher. It's much easier because you have a sub plan (some are better than others) and all the resources laid out for you. It's a little harder because you have to focus on classroom management all the time and kids will test you. Then again they aren't your responsibility long term so then mentality is just to get to the end of the day.

mwmiller4

I agree with @SoSirius Subbing is different than having a classroom--our most successful (and crazy in demand subs) are ones who are great classroom managers and really get how to work and motivated the tougher kids in the classroom. I say try it if you're interested--it could be something you fall in love with and the world can always use people in our schools who love all kids (especially the prickly ones) and teaching. I teach primary and it's amazingly rewarding (not to say it's not difficult, too--but I go to work every day genuinely excited and wonder how I got so lucky after years of working in a field that made me miserable).

surferP528

I'm teaching right now and it's exhausting while pregnant. In my opinion, being a sub is all the worst parts of teaching because you don't have a relationship with the kids, you don't get control over what the students are working on, and you often have to deal with discipline. The other challenging part is that you can't go to the bathroom except for very short, scheduled periods each day.  The pay in our district is comparable to what you'd make working retail, so I'd suggest something like that. Is there a store near you where you could get an awesome discount for you & baby? I worked at American Eagle for a while in college and loved the therapeutic effect of folding clothes and neatening tables.

abbyanneheird

I have a full time job now so I don't need to find another job such as retail. I just like the idea of subbing because you can make your own schedule. Plus, you aren't on your feet every minute of your shift like I am now. I come home with swollen achy ankles almost every night! Eek!

CuriousKiddosMama

I have subbed a lot before, and plan on doing so to ease myself back into teAching (and mainly to ensure I land a job I want when I go back). The school district I want to work in is very selective because they have so many applicants. So when our kids are in elementary school I will start subbing part time until I get a job offer. This should help me make the connections I need.
That being said, as others have pointed out, subbing is the worst part of teaching. My longest stretch subbing was 2 months when we returned from living overseas. (Then I got a long term sub job). One piece of advice, middle school was easier than high school for me, for a couple reasons. I was able to help the kids for the most part no matter what subject I landed that day. Also the schools are small enough, Tha if you can get in the same school students start recognizing you and learn you mean business. High schools I only tried to take my content area(social studies) and I told kids at the beginning of the class that I was a licensed teacher so I could help them with their work, and I intended on accomplishi g what the teacher wanted that day.
You will be on your feet a ton, so don't bank on sitting any more than you do now. Walking constantly around the classroom is one of your best classroom management tricks for a sub. Kids won't screw off when you are standing right by them. And subs are often short around here so you often end up filling in during the teachers off period somewhere.

CuriousKiddosMama

Oh and check out the pay. Unless your are a licensed teacher the pay around here tends to suck. It is flexible like you stated, which is the great thing, but also consider worst case scenarios. If you don't work for a week because there are no jobs, is that ok? (Generally this won't happen, but around mandatory testing times as a teacher you are often told unless you are in the hospital, be here yes, I've worked for some fun administrators )

cantobean

Honestly, I don't think subbing typically has an appeal because you "make your own schedule"--you really don't. Sure, you can choose which days to work and which days not to, but you may not know about a job until 24 hours or less in advance. If you do take a job, you will have virtually no lunch break and have to find a place to drop off baby by 7 am or so, maybe earlier.

I'm not really trying to dissuade you. If you want to try it, you should try it. I'm just not really understanding the point, especially if you already have a full time job.

inomniaparatus

cantobean said:

Honestly, I don't think subbing typically has an appeal because you "make your own schedule"--you really don't. Sure, you can choose which days to work and which days not to, but you may not know about a job until 24 hours or less in advance. If you do take a job, you will have virtually no lunch break and have to find a place to drop off baby by 7 am or so, maybe earlier.

I'm not really trying to dissuade you. If you want to try it, you should try it. I'm just not really understanding the point, especially if you already have a full time job.

True but it's a half day of work - since you aren't lesson planning, I'd imagine you really do get off at 3pm.

cantobean

inomniaparatus said:

cantobean said:

Honestly, I don't think subbing typically has an appeal because you "make your own schedule"--you really don't. Sure, you can choose which days to work and which days not to, but you may not know about a job until 24 hours or less in advance. If you do take a job, you will have virtually no lunch break and have to find a place to drop off baby by 7 am or so, maybe earlier.

I'm not really trying to dissuade you. If you want to try it, you should try it. I'm just not really understanding the point, especially if you already have a full time job.

True but it's a half day of work - since you aren't lesson planning, I'd imagine you really do get off at 3pm.

Yeah. Still a full day though. My school duty hours run 7:15-3:20. Hardly a half day. Maybe it's different elsewhere.

CuriousKiddosMama

inomniaparatus said:

cantobean said:

Honestly, I don't think subbing typically has an appeal because you "make your own schedule"--you really don't. Sure, you can choose which days to work and which days not to, but you may not know about a job until 24 hours or less in advance. If you do take a job, you will have virtually no lunch break and have to find a place to drop off baby by 7 am or so, maybe earlier.

I'm not really trying to dissuade you. If you want to try it, you should try it. I'm just not really understanding the point, especially if you already have a full time job.

True but it's a half day of work - since you aren't lesson planning, I'd imagine you really do get off at 3pm.

No half day about it. Teachers only get one period off for planning. Most work after school hours (for free) to do most of this type of thing. Grading etc, is mainly done after hours for most of the teachers I know.
And like I said above, your off period they generally assign you to go and do something or help somewhere else as a sub. Since you don't have planning to do, they don't give you that time. Your free time is generally lunch, which is only 30 minutes if you count the time from the bell dismissing kids to your class, to the tardy bell after lunch is over. Your real lunch is generally 20 minutes.

CuriousKiddosMama

cantobean said:

inomniaparatus said:

cantobean said:

Honestly, I don't think subbing typically has an appeal because you "make your own schedule"--you really don't. Sure, you can choose which days to work and which days not to, but you may not know about a job until 24 hours or less in advance. If you do take a job, you will have virtually no lunch break and have to find a place to drop off baby by 7 am or so, maybe earlier.

I'm not really trying to dissuade you. If you want to try it, you should try it. I'm just not really understanding the point, especially if you already have a full time job.

True but it's a half day of work - since you aren't lesson planning, I'd imagine you really do get off at 3pm.

Yeah. Still a full day though. My school duty hours run 7:15-3:20. Hardly a half day. Maybe it's different elsewhere.

And that's a full 8 hours last I checked. No half day about it.

mwmiller4

There's also very little sitting in elementary school. Even the little guys need you in close proximity to make sure they're on task, making good choices, and get help if they need it.

AdventureMama

I'm actually really surprised anyone would want to teach casually, as an "easy" (?) way to make money. I agree with PPs that one day subs basically get the worst end of teaching- discipline issues, no ongoing relationship with students, no control over what you're teaching, and you're thrust into a new, unfamiliar environment every day. To me the decision to teach shouldn't be a casual one, so I'm just kind of marveling that anyone who doesn't actually want to pursue a teaching career would be interested. I didn't know that was a thing people did. But in my state you have to have a teaching degree to sub so I think that's where my surprise stems from- I thought it was that way everywhere.

CuriousKiddosMama

@AdventureMama in Texas we are so hard pressed for teachers and subs alike that practically anybody can sub with just a few college hours. We even have fast track programs for people in other career fields who decide they want to teach to be able to teach for a year and get their certification while they teach. The subbing tests are rediculously easy in every district I e taken them, but the teacher tests are pretty on par with the rest of the country. My Texas teacher test wasn't any easier than my Minnesota one, just a different test.
The pay is different for a non licenses sub, but it's not amazing for a licensed person either.

inomniaparatus

cantobean said:

inomniaparatus said:

cantobean said:

Honestly, I don't think subbing typically has an appeal because you "make your own schedule"--you really don't. Sure, you can choose which days to work and which days not to, but you may not know about a job until 24 hours or less in advance. If you do take a job, you will have virtually no lunch break and have to find a place to drop off baby by 7 am or so, maybe earlier.

I'm not really trying to dissuade you. If you want to try it, you should try it. I'm just not really understanding the point, especially if you already have a full time job.

True but it's a half day of work - since you aren't lesson planning, I'd imagine you really do get off at 3pm.

Yeah. Still a full day though. My school duty hours run 7:15-3:20. Hardly a half day. Maybe it's different elsewhere.

Sorry that's almost half a day in my world- but not saying it's an easy day - just that it's nice to be out so early.

inomniaparatus

CuriousKiddosMama said:

inomniaparatus said:

cantobean said:

Honestly, I don't think subbing typically has an appeal because you "make your own schedule"--you really don't. Sure, you can choose which days to work and which days not to, but you may not know about a job until 24 hours or less in advance. If you do take a job, you will have virtually no lunch break and have to find a place to drop off baby by 7 am or so, maybe earlier.

I'm not really trying to dissuade you. If you want to try it, you should try it. I'm just not really understanding the point, especially if you already have a full time job.

True but it's a half day of work - since you aren't lesson planning, I'd imagine you really do get off at 3pm.

No half day about it. Teachers only get one period off for planning. Most work after school hours (for free) to do most of this type of thing. Grading etc, is mainly done after hours for most of the teachers I know.
And like I said above, your off period they generally assign you to go and do something or help somewhere else as a sub. Since you don't have planning to do, they don't give you that time. Your free time is generally lunch, which is only 30 minutes if you count the time from the bell dismissing kids to your class, to the tardy bell after lunch is over. Your real lunch is generally 20 minutes.

I totally get that regular teachers do a lot after hours - lesson planning, grading, tutoring, etc. But I figured subs aren't responsible for those things. So, getting out at 3 seems like a good deal for a sub.
I wouldn't diminish the career of a teacher- I know many work really hard.

CuriousKiddosMama

@inomniaparatus so how many hours do you work every day? The average full time American works 32-40 hours per week, an 8 hour day so I'm still not understanding where you are saying that this is a half day.
And yes, by saying that teachers or subs work half days you are diminishing the field.

AdventureMama

CuriousKiddosMama said:

@AdventureMama in Texas we are so hard pressed for teachers and subs alike that practically anybody can sub with just a few college hours. We even have fast track programs for people in other career fields who decide they want to teach to be able to teach for a year and get their certification while they teach. The subbing tests are rediculously easy in every district I e taken them, but the teacher tests are pretty on par with the rest of the country. My Texas teacher test wasn't any easier than my Minnesota one, just a different test.
The pay is different for a non licenses sub, but it's not amazing for a licensed person either.

@CuriousKiddosMama : wow! Mind blowing. It is incredibly hard to get a teaching job in my county. Probably because this is a college town and the university has an excellent teachers college. So the market is flooded. Many fully licensed teachers I know work as subs for years before they find full time positions.

inomniaparatus

CuriousKiddosMama said:

@inomniaparatus so how many hours do you work every day? The average full time American works 32-40 hours per week, an 8 hour day so I'm still not understanding where you are saying that this is a half day.
And yes, by saying that teachers or subs work half days you are diminishing the field.

Most people I know work until at least 7pm - so to get off at 3pm would be nice. What do subs do after 3pm? If they are responsible for lesson planning and grading then I'm sorry - I didn't know. I thought subs aren't responsible for that stuff.

CuriousKiddosMama

@AdventureMama that is what I will face when I go back. We moved since I last taught and my last school, which would be amazing to go back to and I could probably still get into when I want to, would be an hour away. This new district I live in is like the creme de la creme of the city and so it is super competitive like that. I may actually end up subbing a few years to get the job I want in this district.
If I ever got to the point where I needed to work full time I could get a job relatively easy, it would just be in not so good of a school district.

pbtoast

AdventureMama said:

CuriousKiddosMama said:

@AdventureMama in Texas we are so hard pressed for teachers and subs alike that practically anybody can sub with just a few college hours. We even have fast track programs for people in other career fields who decide they want to teach to be able to teach for a year and get their certification while they teach. The subbing tests are rediculously easy in every district I e taken them, but the teacher tests are pretty on par with the rest of the country. My Texas teacher test wasn't any easier than my Minnesota one, just a different test.
The pay is different for a non licenses sub, but it's not amazing for a licensed person either.

@CuriousKiddosMama : wow! Mind blowing. It is incredibly hard to get a teaching job in my county. Probably because this is a college town and the university has an excellent teachers college. So the market is flooded. Many fully licensed teachers I know work as subs for years before they find full time positions.

It's the same way here! I have many teachers in my family. My brother and sister-in-law were the most recent to graduate and they had difficult times finding jobs (despite going to a great school and being highly qualified) so they had to sub for a while, too! I was also kind of surprised to see someone not interested in a career in teaching wanting to sub. But I guess different areas are quite different!

CuriousKiddosMama

Oh

inomniaparatus said:

CuriousKiddosMama said:

@inomniaparatus so how many hours do you work every day? The average full time American works 32-40 hours per week, an 8 hour day so I'm still not understanding where you are saying that this is a half day.
And yes, by saying that teachers or subs work half days you are diminishing the field.

Most people I know work until at least 7pm - so to get off at 3pm would be nice. What do subs do after 3pm? If they are responsible for lesson planning and grading then I'm sorry - I didn't know. I thought subs aren't responsible for that stuff.

Didn't actually answer my question. But whatever.

inomniaparatus

CuriousKiddosMama said:

Oh

inomniaparatus said:

CuriousKiddosMama said:

@inomniaparatus so how many hours do you work every day? The average full time American works 32-40 hours per week, an 8 hour day so I'm still not understanding where you are saying that this is a half day.
And yes, by saying that teachers or subs work half days you are diminishing the field.

Most people I know work until at least 7pm - so to get off at 3pm would be nice. What do subs do after 3pm? If they are responsible for lesson planning and grading then I'm sorry - I didn't know. I thought subs aren't responsible for that stuff.

Didn't actually answer my question. But whatever.

Sorry - It varies for me depending on my work load. Some days I get in at 6am and leave at 7pm ... Other days I get in at 8:30 or 9 and leave at 8... Today I left at 4 for a doctors appt.

But I think you missed the fact that I was referring to subs, not full-time teachers. I don't know many people who get off work at 3.

CuriousKiddosMama

inomniaparatus said:

CuriousKiddosMama said:

Oh

inomniaparatus said:

CuriousKiddosMama said:

@inomniaparatus so how many hours do you work every day? The average full time American works 32-40 hours per week, an 8 hour day so I'm still not understanding where you are saying that this is a half day.
And yes, by saying that teachers or subs work half days you are diminishing the field.

Most people I know work until at least 7pm - so to get off at 3pm would be nice. What do subs do after 3pm? If they are responsible for lesson planning and grading then I'm sorry - I didn't know. I thought subs aren't responsible for that stuff.

Didn't actually answer my question. But whatever.

Sorry - It varies for me depending on my work load. Some days I get in at 6am and leave at 7pm ... Other days I get in at 8:30 or 9 and leave at 8... Today I left at 4 for a doctors appt.

But I think you missed the fact that I was referring to subs, not full-time teachers. I don't know many people who get off work at 3.

I hate quote trees, so see your previous response to cantobean, unless I'm seriously mistaken you told her that her day as a teacher is a half day in your world.
And I don't know how to quote multiple things in one post.

abbyanneheird

Didn't mean to spark up a debate. Just wanted to hear positive stories about subbing. I guess subbing here is a lot easier here in Arkansas than most places, people do it here all the time for flexibility. In fact, stay at home moms do it to earn cash here all the time. The company that I would be hired to sub under allows me to pick the days I want to work ahead of time so I wouldn't be called on days I didn't want to work. That's what I meant by picking my schedule. I don't have that option right now. I work 12 hour shifts, on my feet the whole time, and don't get off til after 7 pm at times, and when I have our son I want to ease myself back to working and in the Vet tech field, I can't do that...or atleast not at the hospital I'm at now. People I've talked to that have subbed for the schools I'll be at have nothing but positive things to say and encourage me to do it.

inomniaparatus

CuriousKiddosMama said:

inomniaparatus said:

CuriousKiddosMama said:

Oh

inomniaparatus said:

CuriousKiddosMama said:

@inomniaparatus so how many hours do you work every day? The average full time American works 32-40 hours per week, an 8 hour day so I'm still not understanding where you are saying that this is a half day.
And yes, by saying that teachers or subs work half days you are diminishing the field.

Most people I know work until at least 7pm - so to get off at 3pm would be nice. What do subs do after 3pm? If they are responsible for lesson planning and grading then I'm sorry - I didn't know. I thought subs aren't responsible for that stuff.

Didn't actually answer my question. But whatever.

Sorry - It varies for me depending on my work load. Some days I get in at 6am and leave at 7pm ... Other days I get in at 8:30 or 9 and leave at 8... Today I left at 4 for a doctors appt.

But I think you missed the fact that I was referring to subs, not full-time teachers. I don't know many people who get off work at 3.

I hate quote trees, so see your previous response to cantobean, unless I'm seriously mistaken you told her that her day as a teacher is a half day in your world.
And I don't know how to quote multiple things in one post.

You're "seriously mistaken". I was responding to someone saying subs need to be at work by 7am and sometimes don't know if they have a job until the day of ...

So I said..."True but it's a half day of work - since you aren't lesson planning, I'd imagine you really do get off at 3pm."

I didn't think I needed to say "subs" since it's easily implied in the context to the conversation in which I was responding.

CuriousKiddosMama

Do still be prepared for the 4 am phone calls. Teachers call in sick in the morning a lot of the time, and they have to get those jobs covered sometime. So even though you say I want to work MWF or whatever, you may still get the early morning wake up call. A lot of districts around here do this almost completely online, so there maybe an option for you to block those calls the night ahead of time by saying unable to work. But yeah, a lot of last minute work is the name of the game when subbing.

AdventureMama

7-3 is not a half day, though. It's 8 hours, which is a typical full day of work for most of America. Even if they aren't grading or planning after school, physically being there from 7-3 counts as a full day. Just because it's a half day in your world doesn't mean it's a half day elsewhere. My husband works 12 hour days, generally, but he doesn't go around telling people who work 8 hour days that they're doing half days.

abbyanneheird

Yes, the company gives me the option to block out calls at certain times.

CuriousKiddosMama

AdventureMama said:

7-3 is not a half day, though. It's 8 hours, which is a typical full day of work for most of America. Even if they aren't grading or planning after school, physically being there from 7-3 counts as a full day. Just because it's a half day in your world doesn't mean it's a half day elsewhere. My husband works 12 hour days, generally, but he doesn't go around telling people who work 8 hour days that they're doing half days.

Edit: no idea where my comment went, but so much this. Obviously I wasn't going to be understood so thanks. This is absolutely another way of explaining it.

ohbaby714

inomniaparatus said:

CuriousKiddosMama said:

Oh

inomniaparatus said:

CuriousKiddosMama said:

@inomniaparatus so how many hours do you work every day? The average full time American works 32-40 hours per week, an 8 hour day so I'm still not understanding where you are saying that this is a half day.
And yes, by saying that teachers or subs work half days you are diminishing the field.

Most people I know work until at least 7pm - so to get off at 3pm would be nice. What do subs do after 3pm? If they are responsible for lesson planning and grading then I'm sorry - I didn't know. I thought subs aren't responsible for that stuff.

Didn't actually answer my question. But whatever.

Sorry - It varies for me depending on my work load. Some days I get in at 6am and leave at 7pm ... Other days I get in at 8:30 or 9 and leave at 8... Today I left at 4 for a doctors appt.

But I think you missed the fact that I was referring to subs, not full-time teachers. I don't know many people who get off work at 3.

In turn, I know a lot of people who get done at 3. Most jobs around my area first shift is 7-3 or 6-2. I think it depends on the job market in your area/what type of jobs there are. My husband works 12 hour days and is done by 4pm. It is nice that he gets done at 4pm but it doesn't mean he is working a "half day of work".

inomniaparatus

ohbaby714 said:

inomniaparatus said:

CuriousKiddosMama said:

Oh

inomniaparatus said:

CuriousKiddosMama said:

@inomniaparatus so how many hours do you work every day? The average full time American works 32-40 hours per week, an 8 hour day so I'm still not understanding where you are saying that this is a half day.
And yes, by saying that teachers or subs work half days you are diminishing the field.

Most people I know work until at least 7pm - so to get off at 3pm would be nice. What do subs do after 3pm? If they are responsible for lesson planning and grading then I'm sorry - I didn't know. I thought subs aren't responsible for that stuff.

Didn't actually answer my question. But whatever.

Sorry - It varies for me depending on my work load. Some days I get in at 6am and leave at 7pm ... Other days I get in at 8:30 or 9 and leave at 8... Today I left at 4 for a doctors appt.

But I think you missed the fact that I was referring to subs, not full-time teachers. I don't know many people who get off work at 3.

In turn, I know a lot of people who get done at 3. Most jobs around my area first shift is 7-3 or 6-2. I think it depends on the job market in your area/what type of jobs there are. My husband works 12 hour days and is done by 4pm. It is nice that he gets done at 4pm but it doesn't mean he is working a "half day of work".

No if he starts at 4am, it's quite different- of course. I also don't know of any schools to start at 7am - I thought they usually start 8/ 8:30 and end 2:30ish- which is only 6-6.5 hours. I used to be a substitute para when I was home on break in college freshman and sophomore years before I needed to do internships in my field and I remember the hours weren't that bad. I had a whole day once I ended. Again, I know it's very different for teachers who sometimes just are starting their real work at 3.
I'm also sure it's just a different world I'm in. I don't really know people with set "hours" or "shifts" - we leave when we can and sometimes (but rarely) it's early enough for happy hour and sometimes it's 9pm.
I know we all work hard - I think it's just nice to be able to leave when it's light out and you can come home and make dinner- get home in time to catch a couple of episodes of Seinfeld on TBS- lol

CuriousKiddosMama

High schools are from 7-230, middle schools are from 8-3 and elementary are from 830/9-330/4. Teachers are required to generally be there and stay and extra 30 minutes in either side of the school day. So you get to an 8 hour if not longer day.
Plus then you add in things like mandatory metal detector duty for an hour each week before school starts, ards, parent conferences, planning, grading, hmm what else am I forgetting? By telling a teacher and really anyone else who is done at 4 pm that they work half a day is condescending.
Having been a para does not give you experience in the field the only good ones I've ever known were doing that while they got their teacher license or planned on staying in education for a long time. Those like you who did it for spring break or whatever typically did just work a half day as they often ignored the requirement to get there early, stay late, etc.
And if you seriously think most teachers get to go home and watch hours of TV, again you are mistaken. There are hours of after school work.

I haven't been on the bump much lately because of stupidity like this. I can't handle stupid this pregnancy. I have no tolerance for it. If you can't comment on what op says because you have experience don't comment, because you are just annoying people with your opinion (often condescending) about everything.
And I get it, you often work 12 hour days, so you must be better than a teacher educating future generations who only puts in a measly 8 at the 'office'. And I guess your probably a lot better than me, a sahm who doesn't 'work' at all.....
I honestly may or may not be back after this thread is over. I'm just done.