As a child, I loved school. Yet, I remember each year, I was more than ready for the end of the school year. I also remember halfway through summer break, I was eager to go back. I have found that things really haven't changed. Each year, I am so stressed that I can't wait for school to be out. Then in the fall, I march right back to school, ready to get back into the swing of things.
I think if the income were better, it wouldn't be so bad. It's no wonder we subs are so stressed by the end of the year. We work like mad during flu season. Afterwards, subbing is up and down all year. Most subs don't even have an idea of what they monthly income will be when they start subbing in the first place. Then when the end of the year approaches, the substitute may be shocked at how little they have made for the year. Also, reality is setting in that the income will be coming to an end, usually much sooner than most subs realize. Then of course there is the added stress of student behavior which kicks into overdrive in the spring. By the time you accept all that, the teachers are stressing with their end of year responsibilities. Oh, and let's not forget the end of year drama -- "so and so teacher is leaving this year", "this one is teaching a different grade next year", "so and so said they are changing the sub requirements next year"...
Although there is a lot of gray area with substituting, if you sub for more than one year, you really can get a feel for what to expect. You can generally say what your yearly income will be. You learn not to get wrapped up in the talk around school. You accept the fact that the kids behavior is worse at the end of the year. You can't worry, just deal with what comes your way.
Also, it doesn't hurt to have a back of plan either. If you must make a certain income, you may wish to have a part time job. The first year I subbed, I worked for a small business. When I was hired, I told the man I was a substitute teacher and needed him to be flexible with my schedule. The deal was that I would show up to work, unless I got called to sub. If I got a sub call, I would call in letting him know. Then I would agree to work for him the next day if he needed me.
I know that sounds impossible, but a lot of small business owners could use an extra employee part-time, but aren't able to commit to another salary. He got the extra help, but wasn't obligated to work me every day. If work happened to be slow, which did happen a few times, he would call me and give me the day off. No big deal.
The only real drawback to such an arrangement, is that you aren't really able to build yourself as a substitute who will work every day. I wanted to sub every day, but wanted the security of a "real job". For that year, I did work most every week day between the job and the substituting. In that way, it was good. I had a fairly steady income.
