That Early Morning Phone Call

In our school district, substitute teachers usually get called to work around 6:15 a.m.  Since I work other part time jobs as well as this one, I have told the district that I am available on Mondays and Thursdays.  So on the night before these days, I try to get to bed earlier than usual in case I get that early call.  Some days I get a call between 7 and 9 a.m.  This call is usually asking me to sub that afternoon only.  In the first part of the school year, I didn't get called very often.  In the months after the New Year, I've been called very often!  Once in a while, I have an early notification for days to sub.  These calls are nice since my family and I can do our planning better for meals, etc.

I understand that in some other school districts, this "early phone call" is done differently.  Some places have their substitutes report every day.  When they are needed in a classroom, they go there.  If they are not needed, then the substitute is assigned office work to do (sorting mail, making copies, etc.)  This way, the district knows that it will have subs for the classrooms, and the subs can count on a regular paycheck.  In some school districts, they post the substitute needs on their website.  Subs have to check this page every day and choose where they want to sub.

It's hard to say what ways work better.  I just know that I need to be ready for that call when it comes!