Tagg’s Sub of the Month for March is Tamara Stackhouse! Check out our interview with James below to see what he loves about substitute teaching.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself
I am a recent college grad, who has lived all over the United States and studied in Columbia, Missouri, San José, Costa Rica and Florence, Italy.
2. Why did you decide to be a substitute teacher?
I began to substitute teach because I loved tutoring, mentoring and working with children in the community near where I went to college. I hadn’t planned on being a teacher at all but now I enjoy the flexibility of substitute teaching.
3. What do you love most about substitute teaching?
What I love most about subbing is working for a great school with great kids and becoming a “regular”. The students remember me for my enthusiasm and I get to encourage them to continue learning even when their teacher is out for that day or sometimes the whole week.
4. Do you have any favorite grades or subjects you like to teach and why?
I have found that I am constantly changing which grade is my “favorite”. I think it always depends on the school! I love teaching the specials/elective classes.
5. If you had to give any advice to a new substitute teacher, what would it be?
My biggest piece of advice for future subs is to bring students up to your high standards. Treat them with the same respect you expect them to treat you with and set boundaries in the beginning. Students of all ages and grades can pick up on adult energy and more often than not follow good leadership.