Job Discussion Forums

jabberjaw · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 57

Just wondering if anyone knows the best place in the US to substitute teach for an American with a B.A. in French, 6 years experience teaching English abroad and no TEFL/TESOL certs or teaching license. The main factors are salary, cost of living, and quality of students. Specific details like school names or programs are appreciated. Thanks.

Vanica · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 368 Location: North Carolina

In NYC, you can teach every day as a substitute once you have the Temporary Per Diem certificate (TPD).

jabberjaw · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 57

NYC is an expensive place to live. What's the pay for substitute teaching there?

Vanica · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 368 Location: North Carolina

Five years ago it was approx 140 a day, but the day was very short. 3 90 minute classes at the alternative hs, 5 reg classes at the reg hs and ms. You have time to do other work as well, no prep, no meetings.

jabberjaw · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 57

Three 90 minute classes plus five 50 minute classes constitutes over an 8 and a half hour day. For $140 a day that would come out to about $16.50 an hour. Rent in NYC averages about $1000 a month if I'm not mistaken, so you'd probably actually be losing money and working more than a 40 hour work week. NYC is a great place to live if you've got the money but apparently it's a hard place to save money for a substitute teacher.

Vanica · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 368 Location: North Carolina

No, it's three 90 minute classes for the day in the alternative high school. Nothing else. No planning, no meetings, the absent teacher leaves you a lesson plan that you can go with or do as you will.

jabberjaw · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 57

But are those three 90 minute classes in a block or are they split up throughout the day?

Vanica · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 368 Location: North Carolina

It depends who you sub for that day.

jabberjaw · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 57

So, is it pretty much guaranteed that you will be able to find work for $140 everyday? Also, how much vacation time is there?

I'm asking because I'm trying to calculate how much money you would be able to make in a given year. For example, if you could work 20 days a month for 10 months at $140 per day, then you'd be pulling in $28,000 for the year -- I'm assuming you don't get any pay for national holidays and when school is out -- which isn't enough to live off of in NYC once the tax man and everyone else get done with you. See where I'm going with this. I appreciate you trying to help, but I just don't think you can make enough money substitute teaching there to get by. There's got to be someplace where a substitute teacher can better get by.

Vanica · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 368 Location: North Carolina

I interpreted, translated and subbed, all in the same day. In NYC, it's possible because the opportunities are there. For you to decide if it works out in another city or region.

pirateinpanama · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 93 Location: Panama City, Panama

Try Houston. If the system is the same as it was 10 yrs. ago, you can pick and choose which part of town you want to work and when you want to work. Once the teachers get to know you, you'll probably work everyday especially if you can do ESL. It was about $58 per day back then.
During the eight years I did this work, I never saw a boss once. Everything is done by an automatic phone system. You can choose to work or not. No pressure. You sometimes have to deal with some idiots, but overall it was OK. Thay're always desperate for people.

jabberjaw · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 57

Hi pirate. Thanks for the post but I did the math and Houston looks problematic as well. Let's assume it pays $68 a day now. If you multiply that by 20 days a month and 9 months - I'm assuming the students get three months off in the summer -- then you've got $12,240 a year. Even if the students only get 2 months of vacation you'd be looking at $13,600 a year. That's not enough money to live off of in Houston. See what I mean?

john_n_carolina · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 700 Location: n. carolina

....good post, Jabberjaw -- i was in that exact same position as asst ESL director for a highschool. probably, a little more like $80 / day X 5 = $400 wk X 40 weeks, is only $16K a year....

then, they took $200 / mo out for health.

after school, i went and worked as a lifeguard until 11 to supplement my income. Sat, had another job.

the only way it works out well, is if the school system will fund you getting an MAT or MA ESL, or something.

otherwise, it's a dead-end. i'd rather teach History, and be a FT contract teacher.

however, if you are in a state like mine (Maine) and are under $30K income, you get full health coverage for you and your family. this can add up to thousands of dollars a year...we had a baby, full coverage.

in addition, we stay in the 10% income bracket. so, we pay very little tax.

finally, if you get cozy with the school system you can get summer work. usually with summer students or autistic programs..

in a school system, it's all about contacts.

jabberjaw · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 57

Do you have to have a special qualification to teach autistic kids? If I taught summers in Maine how much money do you think I could pull in per year? Also, what's the cost of living like in Maine? Is 20K a year enough to live off of?

jabberjaw · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 57

Also, you mentioned you get full health coverage in Maine if you make under 30K. Is there an application process required for this? If so, then how bureaucratic and time consuming is it and how much effort does it require?