Estefany De La Cruz has been selected for the Sub Spotlight Teacher in New Jersey for the month of July! She was one of our first New Jersey substitute teachers to be hired, and since then has accepted a floater Long-Term assignment at one of our partner schools, and has not called off once. She is passionate about changing the lives of the students in her community, and supporting the teachers and staff she works with. To see why she loves being a substitute teacher so much, continue reading to learn more about her…
1. What made you want to be a substitute teacher?
I obtained a Bachelor's degree of Arts In Psychology at William Paterson University of New Jersey, but finding a job in my field has been difficult. One day a Lyft rider recommended that I take out the Substitute license in New Jersey and I started looking into it 3 months after. I decided to start the process to get my teacher Certification and here I am. I became a substitute teacher because it is a career that provides valuable, transferable skills for other careers, such as problem solving, time management, flexible schedule, public speaking , and experience working with kids.
2. What is your favorite thing about being a substitute teacher?
The thing I like most about substitute teaching is my students. I enjoy interacting with the students, I love learning from them, and I love helping them understand the content of any course.
3. When you are not substitute teaching, what do you like to do in your spare time?
When I am not substitute teaching I am shopping, cooking, traveling, spending time with my family or working as a Lyft/Uber driver.
4. Why do you feel that is it so important to have good substitute teachers?
Substitute teachers are important because they make sure the lesson is taught to the students when their teachers are absent.