Pauline Said:

I am going to retire from my teaching job in 2 years would it be worth my while going on supply for a year?

We Answered:

Guess it depends upon your subject. It will also depend in what type of socio/economic backgrounds the schools are in.

Supply teaching makes you a target for kids disruptive behaviour. If you are only there for a day or 2, then as it was said to me "you are fair game..." Pupils feel they can try you out and as you are only going to be there for a period or 2 then they can do what they like, as there will be no sanctions/punishment as you won't be back.

It one town I worked in, the kids thought it was fair game, not only to hurl abuse at you in the school but it was good sport to shout at you when you went to the shops etc... This was not reserved to supply teachers, probabtioners got it as well.

The money is not guaranteed and when it comes to holidays, exam times and so on you suffer financially. Therefore if you have monthly expenditure such as loans, rent, council tax and so on - you can't guarantee enough income.

So, no, I woudn't recommend it...

However, there are some people who think that being a bum on a seat and taking the money, with no admin/marking/prep/parents evenings think it is ok.

Vincent Said:

Two conflicting teaching jobs (what should I do?)?

We Answered:

Hmmm... I would get the teacher assistant position. Aside from getting you experience in an academic classroom setting, it will get your foot in the door: the principal will get to know you, how you work etc and then when there is a vacant position, you just might be at the top of the list.... or if not the principal might be able to serve as a reference if there is a vacancy in another school or district. I would go for the assistant teacher. That's actually what I did do :)

Natalie Said:

Why am I failing to get a teaching job?

We Answered:

I'm sympathetic, but I'm still going to be blunt in this answer.

I don't know you or all the details of your situation, but sometimes a person has qualities that are kind of off-putting. You say the school loved you, but in my experience people are really reluctant to tell others when they don't like them.

I have friends who have been on hiring committees who said "this person had a great education background but was not employable because they dressed really inappropriately/had poor hygeine/had a really annoying voice" or whatever. I always ask, Did you tell the person why you didn't hire them so they could correct that? and the squirming starts. Of course not, because that's hard to do.

I myself have worked with student teachers who I wouldn't want in my building as a colleague in a million years. Have I said that to any of them outright? Of course not. In this business, it's all about the constructive feedback, so everything is couched as praise. If the person isn't reading between the lines, they're not going to see that they have a lot of work to do before they're ready.

Another common issue is attitude - whiny people, people who act like they're owed something, presumptuous people, people who don't just muck in and share the work (committees, extra-curriculars, etc.) - these are people who don't get permanent positions easily.

Are you enthusiastic in your interviews? As a supply teacher, did you show competence with curriculum and did you do exactly what the teacher asked you to do? Do you have good classroom management or are you constantly sending kids to the office? Do you have other attributes or experience that you can offer a school? If you don't, that's why you're not getting a job.

On your CVs, is your spelling and punctuation as bad as it is here? Did you ever come late or call in sick on a supply job? When you're being interviewed, do you ever make (to be brutally honest) self-pitying statements like you have in your question? If yes, that's why you're not getting a job.

Andy Said:

Should I look for a full time Teaching Job or work supply til easter?

We Answered:

Supply can be a good stop-gap - but a friend of mine has hardly worked at all this term - only a few days.

Depends on the area, and your level (my friend is secondary trained).

I would also recommend signing with several agencies, not just one.

Joel Said:

SUPPLY TEACHING in Ontario, can it work?

We Answered:

I am not familiar with Ontario.

However, teaching supply is a good idea. The best idea is to get a long term supply job, if at all possible. Remember supply teaching does not pay well and you only get paid on days you work.

My other suggestion is to move where there are jobs.