Teaching your way to success
In the not-so-distant past I was a substitute teacher for about six years. More recently, I’ve toyed with the idea of subbing again, or possibly even going back to school to get my certification. For me, substitute teaching was actual teaching, not just babysitting. I made it a point to follow the regular teacher’s lesson plans, and I brought along my own plans just in case.
As a freelance writer or home-based business owner, you may consider substituting because you’ll have some flexibility in your work-life, and you can even teach kids about your profession.
If you do decide to teach, check out this new blog for teachers called, appropriately, Teacher Lingo. It’s chock full of lesson plans, teacher blogs, and a helpful forum. I would love for it to have a special section for substitutes, though.
If you’ve ever taught, you know that teachers do talk to each other, but aside from lunchtime, you don’t really have a chance to connect with everyone. Teacher Lingo is basically a really cool social networking group.
Just like any other social networking site, there are contests from time to time. You can win a $50 gift card to either Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com if you share one of your lesson plans in March.
Even if you’re never going to teach, I think it’s an interesting blog that could serve as a model for others.
Have you ever been a teacher? Would you consider substitute teaching as a way to supplement your freelance income?
Home Business, Websites | Theda K. | February 27, 2008
Theda, please get that certification as quick as possible. You can still write, as a hobby, or a passion. But times are bad now, and about to get worse, I’m afraid. Get that certification while you still have a window of oppurtunity.
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Certification is only a thought for me. A very tiny thought, actually. But it’s something that others might want to consider, and if you have a degree it only takes a year to get certified and get your master’s at the same time.
If I ever change my mind, though, I’m not worried about missing out. Teachers are always needed, if that’s what you want to do (I don’t…6 years was enough).
My mother was a dance teacher. Start when shes 30 and quit at 36. After that she’s open up an aerobic studio and make’s money from it. With all the experiences she’s got no problem and people do like her. Maybe it’s time you should find other things beside substitute teacher. With your knowledge find something else that can seriously generate income to improve your life. It’s all about taking a risk.
Thanks for the comment. I like subbing, but it was hard work. I come from a family of teachers, so I know there are definitely benefits, but I’m not sure if it’s for me too. We’ll see.
I’ve thought about teaching/subbing. But I live in a very conservative town. Many people know me and that I’m gay, and was a bit promiscuous in my youth. I think some parents would strongly object to me teaching their teen-sons. I know It’s silly, but my fav teacher was forced to move when he was “outed”.
Plus, I could see some of my students reading my work (book or blog). That would be bad.
I also wouldn’t want to be in that place where some one could accuse me of anything, simply because I was alone with a male student. It has happened here.
My home town thinks it’s liberal and GLBT friendly. But when the chips are down…They show their true colors.
But if non of that applies to you…Then you should sub if/when you can. Teachers are heroes! They should be honored for their hard work and dedication in field that pays nothing and gives no rewards or promises of fame.
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Hi BadEvan, I see your concern, but officially you can’t be stopped from teaching. Unofficially it may be difficult in your town, but once you get certified you can go anywhere you like. It sounds like you won’t be ‘outed’ since you’re not hiding who you are (congratulations!). But hetero teachers have to be careful with being alone with students of the opposite sex too.
If you want to teach, go for it. If you get a master’s degree too, the pay is quite decent. And a lot of teachers make extra money in the summer months working elsewhere, and working extracurricular activities during the year.
Good luck with whatever you choose!
Very good idea. I’m a freelance writer and I’ve been trying to figure out how to find a decent paying job that I don’t have to work everyday so I can still have time to write. Subbing might be the way to go. Guess I hadn’t thought about it before.
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Hi Chris,
If you sub for high school, you may also be able to write while you work, depending on the students and what the main teacher left for them to do. Good luck!
In my situation only one way to success is studiing but not teaching anyway. Very interesting information, Thank you.
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I admire each and every one of you who teaches children today. I trained to be a teacher and started and just did not care for it. The need is great for good teachers, and
kudos to each hard-working teacher out there!
A social network for teachers is a great concept. It seems to me like teaching is a profession that could use alot more collaboration then it receives.
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I write tutorials on my blog sometimes so I guess that is a form of teaching. I find its very fulfilling when someone really needs some sort of information and you are there to help them
Theda,
I thought some of your readers may be interested in this resource for teachers if they decide to teach full time. It allows teachers to put out there what they need and ask for donations for their classroom for those reasons. This widens the audience that they are asking and also allows them to continue to do great things without being strapped because of our poor economy and the government’s inability to fund schools properly.
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