I’m looking for any information, personal anecdotes, requirements, or advice on substitute teaching, specifically (if anyone knows) in the Dallas area.
I’m about a year shy of my Bachelor’s in English, although I’ve already got my Associate’s in Liberal Arts, and have heard that anyone can substitute teachthat’s interested (however, I’m not sure that part is correct), but other than that, know almost nothing else about how this all would work. Except, of course, what the kids put them through back when I was in school, lo so many years ago. And I know that right there should be enough to make me shudder. Regardless, I’m a glutton for punishment.
Any help here would be appreciated. I’d really like to start the process (if there is one) now to be ready for the fall.
Well, this should give you information about subbing in the Frisco publich schools, this one gives information about subbing at the Shelton school, go here to find out about subbing in Irving and while I couldn’t find any information about becoming a substitute on the Dallas ISD web site, I did find a phone number for human resources on this page. I’d give them a call and see what the process is.
I’m not anywhere near Dallas, but every district I know of in Texas requires 60 credit hours of college courses, a background check, and a TB test for substitute teaching.
I have been in the trenches of sub-teaching before, for 2 years. Elementary school is the easiest, provided you are good with kids. It’s also great to sub at elementary schools because you are actually expected to “teach”. And the kids generally see any “grown up” in school at the same level as their teachers, they don’t think of subs as ‘second rate’.
Elsewhere you mainly pass out worksheets, or show a video, and keep 'em in line. Most high schoolers tend to be indifferent, as long as you don’t seem to be a pushover they will usually do the “busy work” and leave you alone. Middle schoolers are something else, they can be pure evil at times.
I actually had few bad experiences with the kids. My problems were with teachers who left NOTHING for you to hand out or do, or with staff that would keep the classroom doors locked until the very minute school started, giving you no time to prepare for 30 kids rushing in at the same time. But here (and I would imagine in Dallas) there is usually a shortage of subs so if you are competent, you will be called often enough to be able to pick and choose which jobs to take.