From College Senior to Substitute Teacher
Instead of taking the spring to travel, or live and work at home, as so many mid-year graduates do, Jade Le decided to stay in Oakland and substitute teach in an urban, high-needs school.
Instead of taking the spring to travel, or live and work at home, as so many mid-year graduates do, Jade Le decided to stay in Oakland and substitute teach in an urban, high-needs school.
More exposure in the classroom, whether through a practicum or subbing, allows you not only to develop quick decision-making skills, but also to make those skills automatic.
The idea was simple; to provide an opportunity for our associates to become certified substitute teachers and then offer their services to our public schools on days when classroom teachers were scheduled to be out for pre-arranged professional development.
In honor of Substitute Educators Day, I write this letter to you, the “guest teachers” who worked in my various classrooms over the years. First grade, second grade, computer lab – you covered them all, ably, at a moment’s notice, and to my eternal gratitude.
What do substitute teachers need to thrive? If a recent West Contra Costa Unified School District professional development day is any indication, it’s: teaching resources, a chance to interact with other subs, and the space to try out new ideas.