From sub to teacher: Geo’s TeachStart journey

Author

Scoot Education

Back in 2023, Geo Morales was a newly graduated master’s student excited to teach history to college students. Fast forward to 2026, he’s now a full‑time middle school teacher in Sacramento, thanks to TeachStart–a teacher preparation and certification program powered by Scoot Education.

As a long-term sub, Geo got to translate his passion for history into designing lessons students enjoy, manage a classroom, and build real connections as a teacher. What started as a step toward becoming a professor ultimately became the career he truly loves.

Hear about Geo’s experience subbing with Scoot, TeachStart’s financial and consultative support, and his tips for subbing and showing students you care.

Q: What’s your name? What kind of classroom do you help teach?

My name is Geo Morales. I’m currently teaching eighth grade History and English in Sacramento, California.

Q: Why did you decide to start subbing?

I have a master’s in history, and my original plan was to teach at the college level, but it’s difficult to get your foot in the door as a college professor.

One of my professors advised me to get experience teaching middle or high school to become a stronger candidate, so I started subbing. My end goal is to get my credential and become a full-time teacher.

Q: What led you to choose Scoot over other opportunities?

When I first started looking, my friends who had subbed for districts before told me different options. I did a little bit of snooping online, but district and state websites were really hard to navigate. It was hard to find where everything was. I couldn’t understand why their application process was so complicated.

Scoot was just way more accessible. You can find them on any of the major job-hunting platforms. It was so simple to get started with the application process.

Also, financially speaking, Scoot pays a little bit better than some of the other districts in my area. So that’s why I went with Scoot.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about being a Scoot substitute?

In the beginning, honestly, it was the flexibility. If I didn’t want to take a job or I didn’t feel comfortable at a school, I could easily switch out and go somewhere else.

I had a couple of negative experiences at some schools unfortunately, and Scoot moved me to other campuses that were much more positive. They’re also flexible with providing you a teaching credential program through TeachStart.*

*Helpful terms to know!

TeachStart is a paid pathway to becoming a lead credentialed teacher. TeachStart Fellows earn a full-time salary and benefits, all while working towards their teaching career.

How does it work?

Complete one-week Foundations Training on classroom management and lesson implementation skills
Spend time in real classrooms as a substitute teacher
Receive training and support from a TeachStart Consultant
Earn a full salary with benefits
Attend ongoing paid professional development
Complete requirements to be hired as a lead teacher at the end of the fellowship: (1) Obtain Intern Credential, (2) Enroll in a teacher credentialing program at a TeachStart affiliated university (In California, we partner with Reach and Alliant University)

Q: How has your experience been in TeachStart?

I started classes about four weeks ago, and it’s been great. It’s asynchronous, which works well with a subbing schedule. After a long day as a day‑to‑day sub, you’re usually exhausted, so I like saving all my coursework for the weekend.

The classes are simple and straightforward. The teachers make themselves really available. Alliant also preps you well with tons of seminars and webinars before you even start classes, so you go in feeling ready.

TeachStart is also great at helping us find financial resources. I got to apply for the Golden State Teacher Grant, which is about $20,000 for free.

If you want to use subbing as a launchpad into teaching, I’d definitely recommend signing up for TeachStart—or at least asking about it.

Q: What do you like about being a long‑term sub?

As a long‑term sub, I have my own classroom and my own students. I create my own lesson plans. I’m not just picking up day‑to‑day jobs like before.

The respect level is also much better because the students see me as their teacher, not someone who’s only there for a day or two that they can take advantage of. They know I’ll be there consistently.

I’m in charge of their grades, and I get to design lessons—which is my favorite part of teaching. That’s why I got into this. I have a master’s in history, and I’m a total history nerd. In my free time, I listen to historical podcasts and watch YouTube channels about history. I’m deep in the history game!

I get to share my passion with these kids. I love talking about history, and being able to channel that into a lesson plan and teach it to my students feels awesome.

Q: Any tips for building relationships with students or getting comfortable in the classroom?

A big tip is to start learning their names. It sounds simple, but it can be tough. I have four periods with 20–30 students each—so over a hundred kids. It can be tough, especially with the quiet ones who don’t need a lot of correcting or attention.

I try to learn their names and little things about them. My lesson plans almost always include some kind of group activity, and that gives me a chance to move around, join different groups, and talk to them.

I’ll ask about what they’re working on, but I’ll also ask about their lives. Questions like, “Do you have a brother or sister here?” or “What did you do last weekend?” One student told me they like dirt biking. Next time I see them, I ask, “Did you go biking this weekend?” You really get to connect with the students.

Q: Tell me about a great experience you’ve had as a sub.

When I first started, I had just come out of my master’s program and started teaching eighth graders. I was really gung-ho about lecturing every day. Then I had this aha moment: they hate hearing me talk for 50 minutes straight every day.

One day, I looked around and saw all these kids with their faces on their desks, giving me a dead stare. They don’t care about the Industrial Revolution that much. It can be pretty boring.

I realized I needed to create activities for them to interact with the material in different ways–not just listen and take notes. They’re just eighth graders. They’re not at that level of lecture-style studying.

I asked myself, “How can I help them enjoy history without just standing in front of them talking?” So that’s really it–making lessons more fun and experimenting with different forms of pedagogy.

Q: Could you share a challenging, yet rewarding experience you’ve had as a sub?

My first placement was in one of the roughest neighborhoods in Sacramento. I was at a middle school right next to a high school that’s known for being one of the worst in the city, with some of the oldest and most run‑down facilities. It’s a high‑need population, so I had a lot of students acting up when I came as a day-to-day sub.

The school had a dean of behavior whose whole job was managing student issues. He noticed I was having a tough time and came over to help. He said, “Alright, here’s what you need to do. I know you’re new, and you’ll probably be sent here a lot, so this is exactly how to run things.”

Honestly, it didn’t fix everything, but it helped my days go much smoother—especially with the most challenging students. It was tough, but the kids were great. They’re just coming from bad places, and since I wasn’t their regular teacher, they tend to push the limits with subs, especially at that school.

My biggest takeaway: if you’re new coming in, ask for resources and support from the beginning. It makes a huge difference.

Q: What advice would you give someone subbing for the first time?

Find the bathroom. Honestly, when you’re in a new school, you don’t always know when your breaks are, and some schools have pretty high needs.

At that rougher school I mentioned, students weren’t allowed to go between classes on their own—they had to be walked by a teacher. That meant I barely had a break unless the kids were at recess or lunch.

I’m a big water drinker—I go through about a gallon a day—so by third period I was thinking, “When am I going to get my break?” So definitely, find the restroom.

Along with that, bring snacks and water, drink coffee, whatever you need. Subbing can be tough, so prep for self‑care. Bring little things that make you happy throughout the day.

Q: What would you say to someone considering subbing with Scoot?

I would say do it. It’s a great company.

I’ve had nothing, but great interactions. My main contact, Daniel here in Central California, is fantastic—he’s even called me on weekends when I was having a bad time, just to check in and make sure I was okay. You get a lot of support.

If you’re looking to earn your teaching credential, Scoot is tied to TeachStart and Alliant, which has been great. Your substitute hours count toward your credential–and you’re paid for it.

I have two friends who had to student-teach for free for months, even a whole year. It was really tough for them financially—loans, no income, all of that.

As a TeachStart Fellow, you don’t have to go through that because you have a paycheck coming in.

They also provide medical insurance, which is great. In California, they offer Kaiser, and that’s the best coverage you can get, so it gives me a lot of peace of mind.

It’s a great company. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else as a sub.

Geo’s ongoing impact

As of 2026, Geo is thriving as a full-time middle school teacher in Sacramento. We celebrate the difference he’s making every day!

Closing thoughts

If you’re interested in starting your career in education, start subbing with Scoot Education! We’re here to provide you with the resources and support you need to succeed.

Apply now

Interested in becoming a lead teacher while earning a full-time salary with benefits? Check out our teacher credentialing program, TeachStart!

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