By now, I'm sure you've met those subs who have either completely moved away from the subfinder system to get jobs or they say nothing when you mention how difficult it is to get jobs through subfinder as there always seem to be none available. Yet there are 7-14 subs in any given high school in our district on any given day. Those jobs come from somewhere and go to somewhere. HOW are they getting those jobs, when it's a struggle for you to fill two or three days of your week?
That's an awesome question, with an even more awesome answer: Subs who get asked back make less work for the teacher - networking is a blessing for both substitute and teacher. The more teachers who feel comfortable contacting me at home via email or calling me on my home phone, the better. Lesson plans over a glass of wine the night before? Sure!
Well-networked subs that are good get more jobs than well-networked subs that are bad. Even well-networked subs that are bad get more jobs more easily than less-networked subs. Better, those networks mean that when the teacher is in a moment of crisis and can't remember her own phone number, she remembers your name and slugs it into the subfinder system. She may be able to find nothing more than her phone (maybe) to deal with the situation, or place a single phone call to school "Get Susie!), but you'll be the one they call because they know you can do the job and their normally well-prepared students will be well-cared-for in their absence.
This emphasis on networking has landed me paternity leave stints, a couple of surgery long-term jobs and one emergency injury day that turned into 8 weeks through the end of the year.
On the FTE teacher side, networking with subs is something that may not even cross their mind. Do yourself a favour and head to that faculty room for lunch, and let them see your face and know that you know their building and the kids in it. Give them your card (or two!) and invite them to call you if they ever need a sub. They all say they never need subs, but that's kinda like saying you never need a spare tire. Nails in the road of life happen, and your card may be the one that's tucked in their purse or wallet. Being the teacher who can step in for them is a blessing to them.
Giving them the time to worry about their families, children, life situations and whatever else may be taking them away from the job so suddenly is a blessing, and that starts by being there before they need you to say hi and introduce yourself. Knowing that they won't come back to a stack of grading, an inbox full of angry parent emails and a note from the principal saying "See me" is a blessing. Doing all you can to ensure that they come back to as little work as possible is a very meaningful thing.
What's stopping you from networking? Make it your New Year's resolution to jump start your career by shaking a few hands and saying hello! You'll never know what kind of dividends each handshake will pay.
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