Supply Teacher Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How much can a Supply Teacher expect to get paid? I guess they're paid by the hour- but What is the average going rate? Are there different rates according to subject? Are there different rates according to how long they've been a teacher? What are the general/average terms and conditions of working as Supply Teacher? What pitfalls should a Supply Teacher look out for? Are they paid gross or net? Do they pay their own N.I.? I'm guessing they're not covered if they're off sick, take a day off etc - but am I right?

Answer: Supply Teachers do not get sick pay and they don't get paid if they take a day off. They also do not get paid during the school holidays, unlike teachers who are on a contract with one school. The work is not always regular, as it comes in on an "as and when required" basis. However, you can usually find a decent amount of work if you sign on with several supply agencies, and you can also sign up to go on the supply list for Local Education Authorities in your area. You could find a long term supply job such as filling in for someone on maternity leave or someone taking a sabbatical. More usually, supply teachers will fill in at a school for anything from one day to two weeks, most commonly to cover for a teacher who is off sick. You can make yourself available to an agency on an "on-call" type basis as well, so that schools can call you in on the same day - the agency might call you at 7.30am and say School A needs someone today, and if you are available you would immediately set off for that school. As for NI contributions, "the basis for the payment of a supply teacher (other than for teachers engaged by an agency) is the teacher’s correct point on the salary scales set out in the annually revised Schoolteachers’ Pay and Conditions Document, and this is determined in the same way as for all other teachers. It is unusual, but not impossible, for supply teachers to receive allowances for anything other than qualifications and experience." (ATL union) So the amount you would be paid varies according to the level of experience you have, and where you are on the pay scale. As a guide, supply teachers would earn approx £100-£150 per day depending on the pay scale appropriate to their experience and qualifications. Your pay rate does not differ according to subject. As for tax, you can choose to be self-employed as a supply teacher, in which case you will be paid gross and will be responsible for your own tax and NI payments. More usually your agency, school or LEA will deduct tax and NI from your pay, therefore you will be paid net. The life of a supply teacher is very changeable. You may be in different schools from one day to the next, so you will often be travelling all over the place - you will have to be sure you are skilled at finding new places and don't get lost! You may not stay at one school for very long so it can be a lonely job as there isn't time to make friends. Some staff rooms are really friendly and welcoming, others can be clique-y and people will just ignore you. The same can be said for the children - you may have to teach at a "rough" inner city comprehensive full of young yobs who make your day hell, then the next day you could go to a lovely school full of great kids. As a supply teacher many of the more "naughty" kids will take great delight in seeing how far they can push you - they think you don't know the rules, you don't know the school and you don't know them, so they can do what they like in the classroom. You need to be good at instilling discipline, which can be difficult when you don't know the kids. This is easier on long-term supply as you will obviously get to know the school, the kids and the other teachers. One thing to remember is you may not always get the chance to teach your subject. In high schools, you will usually be supervising the classes, who will have been given cover work by the teacher you are filling in for. This is usually something that they can get on with without their teacher being there, and you are there to supervise them in the classroom. This can be frustrating after a while if you enjoy actually teaching - you can even feel like nothing more than a security guard. In primary schools this is slightly different, as you are more likely to do some actual teaching. On long term cover jobs in high schools you will probably be engaged as a subject teacher, and will be delivering the curriculum yourself. The job can be unreliable in terms of your income, especially as you don't get supply work over the long summer holidays, and would need to find another source of income at that time. Some supply teachers I know actually sign on during the summer holiday. It's not as easy as you'd think to find summer jobs that fit into the school holidays, as most temping agencies want you to be available for a minimum of three months these days! Supply teaching can also be flexible as you can fit it in around other careers. For example, I know one supply teacher who is a professional actress. She has been on TV shows such as "The Bill" etc and is trying to build her acting career. She is also a qualified teacher and is registered with several supply agencies. She does supply teaching when she doesn't have any acting jobs, and that way is able to still pay her bills. She can fit the supply teaching around her acting jobs or auditions, so it is very useful for her. So if you still want to go for this job as a result of reading all that, go for it! Teaching is a very rewarding profession. I am not a supply teacher myself, I am a singing teacher, but I know quite a lot about supply teaching as my dad, who is a retired history teacher, now does some supply work.

Question: How can a 21 yr old without a degree become a supply teacher in ontario? She is 21 yrs old and intends on returning to school to become a teacher. In the meantime, she wants to gain experience by supply teaching. Is this possible?

Answer: You cannot teach in provincially funded school without a Bachelor's degree in something AND a Bachelor's of Education (Teacher's College). Look for Cooperative Degree Programs that combine the two credentials. Many Universities offer 5 year Undergrad programs that include the necessary training for certification as a teacher, in addition to the undergrad degree in whatever discipline you would like to teach in. At one time in Ontario those applying to Teacher's College were required to have a Major and a second "teachable" subject (not quite a minor, but a specific number of courses in a different discipline.)

Question: How do I become a supply teacher? I graduated from university with a PGCE last year, and have got a full time job as a science teacher in a secondary school, based in the West Midlands, England. Can you tell me how I become a supply teacher & whether or not it has better job prospects than an ordinary secondary school teacher. What about salary? Would a supply teacher get paid more than a permanently based secondary school teacher?

Answer: I taught full time for 30 years, took early retirement and became a supply teacher. I had plenty of work, but now, with the advent of TA's and particularly HLTA's supply work has dried up. I know that schools are using them cos they are cheaper. If you want to be a supply teacher, there are agencies, or once out of full time work you could approach schools in your area and offer your services (which is what I did) But don't hod your breath. Sorry. Hope this helps, even though it's a bit depressing.

Question: Has anyone got some ideas for some activities to do as a supply teacher? I am a teacher in England and I am having a break from teaching and doing some supply teaching. Tomorrow, I'm teaching Year 1 and the head has asked me to bring with me some quick 10 minute activities for children to do if they finish their work quickly. They really need to be activities that can be done without prior photocopying. Does anyone have any ideas? Thank you!

Answer: Play a game which involves learning Or do a an exercise activity Talk to them and get the to describe themselves and what they enjoy doin the best. ;) hope i helped x

Question: What are my rights as a supply teacher? I have been working full time as a supply teacher in the same primary school for 20 months and have now been let off after the school advertising the job and the new headmistress deciding to get a young teacher straight from college in order to get funds as they're NQT, Do I have any rights after being in the school for so long?

Answer: I think not. But here are something to consider and clear up. As a supply teacher do you have a contract. Or do you work when some other teacher is out, thus. supply? Are was this a vacant position waiting for a qualified teacher to apply? What the case it might be that you are working in an "work at the will of the employer" state without a contract. You can be released at the will of the employer. If so , yes I believe you can be released. The most qualified person should be hired. When money enters the picture for a school, chances are they will seek what the best route is to bring in the cash. No matter what the age of the new teacher is, if she is more qualified than you and will earn money for the school I can see why the headmistress has made this decision. What's NQT? None qualified teacher? Is this the headmistress that is NQT

Question: Can I supply teach in Ontario without being a certified teacher? I am currently at teachers college, and some of the students here are having a disagreement. Some say we cannot be supply teachers without joining the Ontario College of Teachers, which requires completion of teaching certification. Others think that we can supply teach now if we were able to find a board or a school willing to accept us. Can you help clarify for me what the reality is? (BTW, we are talking public school boards).

Answer: To teach in a public school you must have certification. The obvious exception is classroom practica as part of your education.

Question: Which materials should a Primary SUPPLY Teacher take to school? Any suggestions for resources a Supply teacher for KS1 and KS2 should take to the school with her/him? I am secondary MFL specialist with no experience of Primary. Yes, I am fully qualified, with QTS, but this is a new field for me. These are not very useful answers for a proffessional but thanks. No need for you to get worried 'Cait', don't stress, it's bad for you.

Answer: Having been a supply teacher myself, i would suggest that you ALWAYS take some easily adaptable resources with you. I have turned up at many schools and found that there is some confusion about what is supposed to be taught that day, usually because the class teacher was not expecting to be off sick and so has not left everying out. Simple quizes and worksheets that can occupy the children for 10minutes or so are good. This allows you the time to find the resources you need. It is also a very good idea to make a bank of lessons for each year group that you can dip into. You could pick something to do with PSD. They are always good lessons to do as a 'one off'. Or what about art? I have always thought it very unprofessional when supply teachers turn up with no resources and then are stuck for something to do. Then again, it is also very unprofessional of teachers to not leave everything out the night before, just in case they suddenly develop some chronic illness overnight. Good luck.

Question: Where can I find teacher supply wholesaler or manufacturer? I am looking for information on school or teacher supply wholesaler or manufacturer. I am only finding wholesalers and manufacturers that sale teacher supplies for the same price of stores selling to the public. Can someone help me?

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Question: What exactly is a supply teacher in preschool? I have never heard the term used before. From my research, in grade school it seems to mean some sort of substitute or temporary teacher. That isn't the impression I get for preschool. Does anyone know?

Answer: A supply teacher is a teacher who substitutes for the regular teacher who is away on sick/holiday/personal leave. Generally they are "supplied" by a recruitment agency who specialize in placing staff into preschools/schools/child care centres whether it be on day to day basis or for a contract or even permanent position. It is a term more familiarly associated with schools, but is being embraced more and more in the preschool sector as well.

Question: Anyone interested in buying a teacher supply store? I am a teacher and my husband and I own Teacher's Paradise & Party Supplies. We have two children and both work full time jobs. We are selling the store because it is too much for us right now. We rent the building so we are selling all inventory/shelves/racks/computer(w/Quick… Point of Sale) /copier. We also have a website. Inventory can be shipped to you. I've tried selling inventory on e-bay. Most people wanted just certain items. I have to sell all items teacher supplies and party supplies. Have any ideas let me know. I forgot to tell where the store is...it is in Hazlehurst, GA.

Answer: You might try calling other existing teacher supply places and asking them if the will buy your inventory OR fax out fliers to local schools advertising a "out of business" sale with a big discount like 50% to %75 off everything in the store!!! That might get them to come in and clean out your inventory.