The phone will ring early in the morning and it is not an unexpected call. I need to report to work because I need to substitute for someone who is not able to go to work today. Before I hang up the phone, I ask what year I will be teaching for this day. As I hang up the phone, I go to my study room, look at my book collection and get the appropriate books I need for the day.
As a substitute teacher, I am already used to having the calls early in the morning and facing the challenge of preparing ample activities that I can give to my students for the day. When I started as a substitute teacher, I thought I wouldn’t get the hang of it knowing myself as to being more relaxed when my activities are set on a routine. The first few weeks were really hard for me. Imagine preparing and dropping off my little boy in child care before proceeding for work. When I get to work, I have to study and look at the plans of the teachers’ I am relieving (if there is any) for the day. I wouldn’t want to short-change the kids, just because I am just the substitute. Sometimes, I ask myself, “where is the fun in all of these?”
Well, the answers came in one after the other. Being a substitute teacher is fun after all! After getting the hang of it, I saw the beauty of becoming a substitute teacher. First, the job is challenging. It is not easy to go to work without knowing where you’ll be picking up from where the kids have left off.
Next, it has more variety. Let us admit it, sometimes having a routine day in and day out can be a bit tiring or boring in the long run. Well, you will definitely not have that when you are a substitute teacher because each substitution is unique, it is different.
Third, it is less stressful and less demanding. When you report for work and luckily the teacher you are relieving has a prepared plan, then you will not need to come up with your own plan, all you have to do is prepare the materials needed (that is if it is still not prepared) and execute the plan. Your day starts at around 8:30 am and ends up around 3pm. No lesson plans, no demands to make quizzes, to demands to attend meetings as well.
Lastly, it is mother-friendly. Because you don’t get tied up with all the after school academic and non-academic workload, you have more time for your family. Because you are not stressed big time, you tend to serve and care for your family better.
Yes, it is fun after all!
