Supply teaching is the ideal way in which to find a balance between the time you spend in classrooms and your personal extra-curricular pursuits. With this added flexibility and the opportunity to experience different schools, the choice to become a supply teacher may help you to refresh your career.
Supply teaching is also an excellent method for teachers to address their work-life balance. Or teachers that are just starting out in this industry, it offers a way to test the waters before making a commitment to a position that is more permanent.
If you are willing to forgo a regular routine and salary, there are many top reasons to consider taking up the role of a supply teacher. And if you’re looking for a teaching job in Chesterfield, you can check out the supply teaching agency in Chesterfield. Keep reading to find out what our expert suggests as the top ones.
Reasons to become a supply teacher:
1. Increased Flexibility
While the majority of teachers are only able to make plans for their holidays at a time that matches up to a school year, a supply teacher is free from these constraints. This means you can take advantage of avoiding crowded destinations and peak prices when it comes to travel.
2. Autonomy
Target-setting, meetings, assessments, and planning are part of the daily work of teachers. Supply teaching, on the other hand, can offer freedom from these types of tasks.
3. Variety
Many teachers remain in a school or schools for many years, and some never experience what life is like in other school environments. While this might provide security, familiarity, and a few other benefits, certain supply teachers can feel like they might miss out. Toby Swallow, a supply teacher states, “I have been to many different schools and met amazing members of staff and gained a much wider range of experience than most full-time teachers”.
4. Retirement
Many teachers find it difficult to leave the “classroom” and enjoy the opportunity to still play a role in teaching which is made possible through supply work. But more importantly, this can be achieved on their own terms. You get to decide how much work you would like to put in and when. You could also approach schools in your local area to find out if they are interested in part-time support.
5. Relocation
If you would like to relocate to somewhere new, you may want to consider the “try before you buy” approach, by trying out different supply work opportunities before you make a final decision. This will give you a great insight into what the community is like, its facilities, advantages, and problems through the work that you do with children along with their families. Permanent teachers in the community can also provide essential information about the area.
6. Test Drive
Similar to test driving a new car before you commit to such a major buy, supply teaching provides the opportunity to try out a range of schools, helping you to make an informed decision before you settle into a more permanent role.
7. Return To Teaching
Maybe you have left the classroom for a few years after having kids, or maybe you worked in other careers and you now want to return to teaching. To become an attractive candidate for any school, you will have to prove you have an experience that is up-to-date, and you have an understanding of current initiatives and developments in education, which means the time that you spend in classrooms should be used to refresh and update your skills. More importantly, you should also make sure that your return to the classroom is something you really want to do. This is when supply teaching provides you with this important opportunity.
8. Development
Your style of teaching could become highly insular when you remain in one environment. Supply work offers the opportunity to engage with other teachers, analyse how they assess, plan, and teach, and give you insight into different ways of teaching and doing things. It is also very likely that you might come across practices that are less desirable, that you will probably want to avoid.