Teacher Tips: Why I Love to Substitute

By Kimberly Stanfield, Dysart Unified School District Substitute

When I retired from education in 2021, I was ready to be finished. I loved my 30 years as a teacher, and felt thankful for the privilege of educating hundreds of students over the years, but it was time for a change. I wanted to see what other careers would be a good fit for me. About six months into my retirement, I felt myself unexpectedly being drawn back to the classroom. It turns out I wasn’t quite done with teaching after all. I made the decision to be a substitute teacher, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Over the past few years, I have worked at many schools in the Dysart Unified School District. I prefer to work closer to home, but will drive farther if it’s a school where I’ve worked before and enjoyed my time there. Every school campus has its own energy, its own personality. As a substitute teacher, you can find the schools where you feel the most comfortable, where you feel the most at home. You can also build connections with teachers who will request you the next time they need a substitute. I have felt welcomed and appreciated at every school I’ve visited. The administrators, the front office staff, the support staff, and the teachers on campus are all so thankful to have guest teachers, and they do everything possible to make you feel supported.

Working with children means that every day is a new adventure. That is one of the best parts of being a substitute teacher. You have the opportunity to have a positive impact on the students you teach, whether they are in preschool, high school, or somewhere in between. What you bring to the job is your knowledge and life experience, and what you take away is the satisfaction that you have been part of the education process. I am currently working in a 3rd grade classroom, and we recently read an article about the decline of the honeybee population. It was fascinating! We discussed theories about why the population is decreasing, and the methods scientists are using to track the decline. I loved to hear the students’ ideas and to learn along with them. There are two final reasons why I enjoy being a substitute teacher: flexibility and freedom. My love of teaching brought me back to the classroom, but being able to create my own schedule is what has kept me going. Some weeks I work every day, but more often I just work two or three days. It is perfect for someone who just wants a part-time job. You can even work as a substitute and still have time for another job. If you are thinking about getting into the field of education, substitute teaching is a perfect way to discover where your strengths lie, while also making some money. As a substitute teacher, you also have the freedom to select the position that suits you best. I spent my career teaching middle school, but decided to aim for variety as a substitute. I have danced and sang with preschool students, taught art classes at the elementary level, and spent a few days with high school students in their engineering and coding class.

I may someday find another career path as I originally planned when I retired. In the meantime, I find such reward and value in working with students as a substitute teacher, and don’t plan to give that up anytime soon.

Dysart Schools contracts with ESI for substitute teacher services. Interested applicants can learn more and apply at dysart.org/substitutes