7 mind-blowing facts about substitute teachers you never knew

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Substitute teachers are paid a median wage of $13.79 an hour.

• Many students may not have the opportunity to get to know their substitute teachers since they typically only come in for a day or two at a time.
• Substitute teachers tend to get calls the morning of the day they work and have only a few hours to prepare lesson plans.
• Some areas of the country are experiencing sub shortages, while others are overly reliant on long-term substitutes.
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As back-to-school season gets into full swing, substitute teachers will be gearing up for that early morning call into work.

While many students recall having subs cover for absent teachers, they don't usually have a chance to get to know their temporary instructor in the few days spent together.

Read more: 31 teachers across the US reveal their exact salary, and how much of it goes to paying for school supplies like chalk and pencils

Some may not know, for instance, that many states don't require substitute teachers to have schooling past a high school diploma in order to get certified. Or that some areas of the country are experiencing sub shortages, while others are overly reliant on long-term substitutes.

Here are seven facts you may not have known about what it's like to be a substitute teacher.

Are you a substitute teacher with a story to share? Email aakhtar@businessinsider.com.