I agree subbing does get easier
I do agree that subbing gets easier with experience. In addition to the experience, you have the potential to gain respect of both staff and students. Once you develop a relationship with both groups, you will find your job a lot easier. Also, don't take the bad days personally. The students may act out in your presence, but they truly are just testing the water, showing off or whatever. Be fair, but firm. Be yourself. When you have a bad day, remember that you don't have to ever take that class again. Of course, I say that, and then when the job is offered again, I will accept it. I usually don't regret taking on a challenge. I have a class that I sub for 1-2 times per month. That class started out pretty rough. The regular teacher has her struggles with that class. She has a lot of special education students, both learning and behavioral challenges to deal with. At first, things were just awful, especially when they had a sub. A para was assigned to work with this class for 2 hours a day and that, along with the teacher's perseverence has worked wonders with these kids. For me, that translates into a calmer atmosphere when I substitute. I too am learning more about the kids in this class, and what works and what doesn't work with some of those students.
As for being called - I work for a rural school. I made it known that I only sub for one school. I also have spent time volunteering if I didn't have a sub job. The way I see it, whether I'm volunteering or not, I will receive the same paycheck in the end. I need the money and volunteering certainly is free. The benefits are far more than I could have imagined. First of all, I have a sense that I am making a difference for some of the teachers and students. An added benefit is that when I am not subbing, but volunteering, I am making myself known to the staff. Some teachers appreciate that and will call me when they need a sub. Other teachers just find me convenient since I happen to be in the building when they are thinking about their next day out of the classroom. Keep in mind that volunteering can be for the teachers or the students. The copier is located in the teacher's lounge so I talk to many of the teachers during their planning time while we are all waiting in line for the copier. One day I just happened to be volunteering and a teacher had to leave suddenly when her son needed to go to the doctor's. She was taking her class back to class and passed me in the hall. Of course, volunteering is good for everyone and we don't have enough volunteers to go around in the public school system today.
