Sub Teaching

Sub teaching, why did I write this book: because I want to dispel any prevailing myths that sub teachers have it easy and share a few examples why. On one hand, teaching children is a pure joy, but it can also be incredibly challenging; being a sub teacher requires compassion, understanding, and a fertile mind that works at the speed of light.

If you were ever a sub, or if you contemplate being one, you are in for the ride of your life. A sub will definitely be taken to the edge of their wits: you will panic when there are no lesson plans and you have to be on duty, with no time to prepare. What better test of character is there than this? At the same time you will have to remain optimistic and open and deal with life challenges that might erupt any time.

My book gives insight into the kind of energy a sub invests into one day and the feedback they receive. Some days are sublime and the class is like pure silk, while others you are dealt the worst hand in the world. You are pushed to the edge; you are requested to do the impossible, and subjected to contradictory, inappropriate behavior. On these days you need to be in full control with a very crisp awareness, your eyes and ears tuned to every weird pencil click, rustle of paper or giggle. You must also beware of long periods of silence, because silence means something is wrong.

A sub teacher has no position or standing to complain about raw deals, or being thrown into new and embarrassing situations point blank; like being instructed to stand in front of a school assembly and award certificates to students you have never met, giving a word of congratulations. There’s quite an atmosphere with every eye trained on you; what do you say with only seconds of notice? On these days you need to stay cool and find a place of rest. You need to act as if maintaining a professional, optimistic outlook, though deep inside you are tempted to feel like a bag of nerves.