So, I'm getting things together to get the 30-Day Emergency Teaching Credential so I can sign up as a substitute teacher in our school district. I finally got a list cobbled together about what I need to do and in what order. It would be nice if there was a list somewhere that said what you need and where to go to get it, but I had to ask two people and check a bunch of websites.

This is what I have figured out I need to do:

First off, I have to take the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), and when they say Basic, they mean BA-SIC. I took the sample tests, and got 92% on the reading (I missed a couple because I read too much into the passage) and 100% on the math. I didn't even bother with the writing. I read over the samples and I think I can pull off something acceptable when the time comes. The next test is in early October (they have computer-based testing more often, but they're all over an hour away, and if I wait a few weeks, I can take the paper one just 15 minutes away). After that, I can apply to the state for the credential, for which I need the CBEST scores and my college transcripts proving that I have a bachelor's degree. And then I can apply to the county to be put into the sub registry, if they open up applications (I'm counting on them opening up on Sept. 1, but we'll see). If my application is accepted, I go in for an orientation and then they'll put me in the registry. At first, I'm going to limit it to our elementary school, but after Ruby goes full-day, I might open up to the other elementary schools in the district, and maybe even be brave and do the middle school, too. I probably won't go out of our district. I also need to get fingerprinted and entered into some fingerprint database.

And then I need to get someone to pick me out of a selection of fully-credentialed, recently pink-slipped teachers. Hey, it could happen! Subbing will allow me to be off when my kids are off and give me the flexibility to say 'no' when I need to.

We'll see how things go.