There would be no education system as we know it if full-time teachers and substitute teachers didn't exist. Both roles are rooted in instruction and support, but they differ in daily responsibilities, duties, stability, and long-term impact. 

Whether you're an aspiring educator or simply interested in what goes on in the classroom, it's essential to understand the nuances between these roles to help determine where your strengths and interests best align.

A Day in the Life: Sub vs. Full-Time

Substitute teachers are unsung heroes with a considerable number of responsibilities and duties. Subs must be able to adapt at a moment's notice and keep things running smoothly, even in the absence of the regular instructor.  

Substitute Teachers: Flexibility is Key

• No day is the same for substitute teachers. They walk into unfamiliar classrooms on short to no notice and must quickly assess the needs (and wants) of students. If a sub is lucky, they're welcomed with lesson plans left by the regular teacher. If lesson plans aren't available, subs must improvise.

• The most challenging aspect of being a substitute is classroom management. To maintain any type of order in the classroom, substitutes must establish authority among students who are likely to test boundaries since their actual teacher is absent.

• Different subject matters, different grade levels, different schools, being comfortable with the unknown is a requirement for subbing. Depending on how you view it and resources available to you, this unknown or variety can be invigorating or exhausting.

Full-Time Teachers: Showing Up Every Day, in Every Way

• Permanent teachers are responsible for planning and implementing the curriculum. Such instructional planning encompasses developing lesson plans, structuring the academic calendar for the year, and supporting students in meeting curriculum standards.

• Unlike substitutes, full-time teachers are responsible for administering assessments and providing feedback. Specifically, these teachers grade assignments, monitor student progress, and communicate praises and concerns to students and parents.

• There's plenty that goes on beyond the classroom. Permanent teachers attend faculty meetings, communicate with parents and guardians, manage paperwork, and sometimes oversee extracurricular activities like clubs and sports teams.

Pay, Benefits, & Job Security

Teaching is both a calling and a career. The intersection of the two results spotlights a key difference between substitute and full-time teachers. Both roles are critical to maintaining the education system, yet compensation and job security vary.

Substitute Teachers:

• Subs are usually paid on either a daily or hourly basis. Rates differ between districts and regions, and even vary between short-term and long-term substitutes. (Long-term subs are typically paid more.). Regardless of the differences between certain areas and specific designations, substitutes as a whole are often paid considerably lower than full-time teacher rates.

• While not impossible, short-term subs rarely receive benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. Long-term subs, on the other hand, are more likely to enjoy some benefits.

• Employment is less secure for substitutes. Given that a 100% attendance rate for full-time teachers is rare, there is always a need for backup. However, demand fluctuates, and assignments aren't promised.

Full-Time Teachers:

• Permanent teachers receive a comprehensive package, including an annual contract, salary, and benefits. Like subs, salaries aren't created equally. However, full-time teachers significantly outearn substitutes, and these earnings are paid on a regular schedule.

• Benefits may include various types of insurance, paid leave, retirement plans, tenure protections, maternity/paternity leave, and pension plans. The most substantial distinction between these two types of teachers is found in the benefit of job security. Full-time teachers don't have to worry about week-to-week or month-to-month employment.

Relationships & Responsibilities

Educators and students have a one-of-a-kind relationship. Teachers play a vital role not only in students' educational experience. They also have a hand in shaping students' personal development and outlook on life. Substitutes and full-time teachers alike make an impact, but the extent of their influence varies.   

Substitute Teachers:

• Due to their short-term presence, subs hardly get to witness the long-term results of their efforts. Since it's harder to build rapport, implementing meaningful change in students' lives may be a challenge. In the same breath, substitutes can offer a new, fresh perspective and bring new energy to the classroom.

• As previously mentioned, the uncertainty caused by unpredictable demand can be stressful for those who prefer routine or need a consistent paycheck. On the other hand, if you enjoy spontaneity, subbing is an alternative to the predictability of a full-time teaching position.

Full-Time Teachers:

• It's no surprise that permanent teachers have a greater ability to make an impact on students and school culture due to their permanent presence. This presence, although it fosters long-term relationships and classroom community, commonly leads to burnout. Sure, full-time teachers are contracted to work a certain number of hours. Still, they oftentimes spend time beyond that limit in lesson planning, grading assignments, communicating with parents, and more. Permanent teachers don't just work Monday through Friday. They work evenings and weekends too.

• Full-time teachers have a lot more to lose. Subs have a notable amount of responsibility, but permanent teachers have even higher stakes. These teachers face major pressure from standardized testing, administrative expectations, and sometimes the community. Permanent teachers carry the weight of being solely responsible for both students' progress and well-being, which can be both rewarding and daunting.

Professional Growth and Career Trajectories

Both roles offer valuable development opportunities. Subs have the chance to build transferable skills and explore the profession, and full-time teachers have a more defined path. 

Substitute Teachers:

Subbing doesn't necessarily mean you want to be a full-time teacher, but it could be helpful if that's the case. To gain hands-on experience, many educators test the waters as substitutes. They use the experience to gain direct classroom exposure, learn various teaching styles, and network within the local school system. For those who aren't looking to make a full-time career out of teaching, subbing still offers many transferable skills. 

Full-time Teachers:

Permanent positions inherently offer more opportunities for professional development. These opportunities may include mentoring or leadership roles. The path for career progression may not be crystal clear, but there's typically some sort of blueprint that provides direction for becoming a specialist, administrator, curriculum developer, etc.

The Final Bell: Deciding Between Substitute and Full-Time Teaching

Both substitute and full-time teaching offer distinct challenges and distinct rewards. Permanent teachers can build longstanding relationships, and they enjoy more structure and security, but subs enjoy unparalleled flexibility, variety, and a chance to develop transferable skills. Together, the roles serve as the backbone of the education system, as they fulfill unique and essential functions.

Substitute teaching isn't for everyone, nor is a full-time role. However, if you're even slightly curious about being in the classroom in some capacity, subbing offers a low-risk, high-reward starting point. 

With Zen Educate, you'll have the proper support to make that first step easy. Resources are available to help you enter the classroom. Zen Educate makes it simple by providing tools and guidance to help you along your way.