teacher

elementary school teacher

educator

teaching assistant

special education teacher

ONSLOW COUNTY SCHOOLS

It's school, so a typical day isn't easily explained when you work with children in the EC department. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing students vary in their needs, but they work just as hard as we do to learn and grow. On average, the interpreter goes with their assigned student to all their classes and facilitates communications between staff, students, and faculty. Class lessons, group reading, friend interactions, disciplinary actions, Parent/Teacher conferences, assemblies, outdoor activities (gym), sporting events, and tutoring are just some of the normal, everyday duties you perform during your typical day. The workplace culture here is definitely a "can do" philosophy. Management as a department has grown and become much more organized since I started. School management depends on the school you're assigned and can vary. At the schools I was fortunate enough to be assigned to, management has been very proactive with students and staff and are always striving to better the programs. The hardest part of the job, in my opinion, is not getting discouraged when your student isn't excelling. You could be giving it 200% of your effort and your student still fails to reach a previously set goal. It can be so frustrating, because you think it's something you could have done differently. The best part of the job is how collaborative we are as a department. If you're struggling with any concept and its delivery, there is a whole group of people to network with. So instead of one head working on a problem, you get 8 or 9 heads thinking along with you. We win and lose as a team, so I would definitely reiterate that the best part of the job is having a great team to work with to help your student excel.

As a dedicated Teacher Assistant supporting high school students with special needs, I worked closely with both educators and students to create a safe, encouraging, and inclusive learning environment. My role centered on providing individualized academic and behavioral support, helping students build confidence, independence, and essential life skills. I assisted with classroom instruction, adapted materials to meet diverse learning needs, and offered one‑on‑one guidance to ensure each student could engage meaningfully with the curriculum.

Beyond academic support, I helped students navigate daily routines, reinforced positive behaviors, and celebrated their progress—big and small. I collaborated with teachers, therapists, and support staff to implement IEP goals, maintain consistent communication, and ensure students received the care and structure they needed to thrive. My work also included supervising students during transitions, supporting sensory or emotional regulation needs, and fostering a classroom atmosphere grounded in patience, respect, and encouragement.

Through this role, I contributed to a team committed to helping every student feel valued, capable, and supported in their journey through high school.

As a substitute, you do have quite a lot of power in your choices and preferences of schools in Onslow County. They use an online program that lets you see which openings they have. It is broken down by School, Grade, & Subject so if you don't like working with certain age groups or feel intimidated by certain subjects, it is not a problem. There is an opening somewhere nearly everyday, but it may not be within your preferences. If you aren't picky you can work for your maximum number of days every month. Currently the maximum you can substitute is 14 days in a month. There is no requirement to work the full number of days, only that you work once every 60 days to keep your name on the list, making this an extremely flexible job to schedule around. When Schools are closed you have no hours, so this can be good or bad for you. The months of July and August have no days for you, and December and June are thin because of the breaks. The major downside of this job is if you have difficulty working for long periods of time or if you struggle being patient with kids. I personally tend to avoid the high schools because the majority of the classes I have subbed with them have students who are rude to substitutes, and will test authority constantly.

For non-certified staff (everyone outside of teachers, counselors, instructional support, and administrators) there is very little room for advancement. You do a decent amount of work and the pay is not reflective of that, as is common in all jobs within public education systems. If you’re good at your job, supervisors mostly leave you to your work and do not micromanage. They are also open to suggestions and welcome feedback once you’ve proven your capabilities. After the first few months, I always felt like my opinion was valued and often sought out for matters I had shown I was knowledgeable about. I felt like the work I was doing was important and helpful to the students, parents, and staff within the school and at the district office. Getting hired can be more about connections and in house hiring is favored over outsourcing. Within the clerical roles availablel, if you can get your foot in the door and you’re planning on settling in the area, it’s a good place to work overall. There’s job security, decent benefits, some great coworkers, and meaningful and interesting work. The biggest downside is the pay. 

The fact that everyone on the lower levels makes the same is absolutely disguising! The teacher assistants make the same as the janitors and office people. You have to work over 10 years to be making more than your coworker who has no experience and just started.  

Not to mention that jobs that require a degree aren’t being compensated. The janitor with no degree makes the same as the teacher assistant. 

The Financial Officer sent a email talking about increase but it is the end of September and they are no where to be found. I can make more money working at Taco Bell making tacos than I do educating these children. Something is wrong about that, everyone is quitting because they can make more money somewhere else with way less stress. We got the increase that the STATE REQUIRED minimum but the actual county got 10% increases. The benefits aren’t worth it if I can’t feed my children! Over 10 years of experience and I only make $2,600 per month before taxes, mandatory retirement and benefits are taken out. 

The school system USED TO be the place to work,  it anymore. Go work somewhere else, I know I’m planning to. 

This is the worst school system to work for in NC. I have been in multiple schools. Some of  admin is racist and the diversity of staff does not meet the culture of the community. Students are disciplined differently depending on their race and socioeconomic status at some of the schools. The ieps and 504 are NOT followed by teachers or admin. They are out of compliance and students are not taken care of. There is mold in many schools with many parents complaining and sicknesses from the mold, but ocs denies mold in any of their schools. The Human Resources staff are beyond rude, unprofessional, and at times very inappropriate in their treatment of teachers if they make a complaint or try to stand up for themselves. I have seen them literally “blacklist” a teacher who was also a former marine and she gave the appropriate 30 days notice. There is a huge turnover rate bc of the poor treatment of teachers by administration. They are very behind the times and it’s astounding what does happen in this school system due to poor management and ethical training. Do not work here. It is not a safe or proper working environment for teachers.

I learned a lot about the special education aspect of public education and how to seamlessly integrate exceptional needs students into an inclusion classroom with their higher functioning peers.

The staff and administration were extremely accomodating not only to me but to the students with whom I worked on a day to day basis ensuring that the materials and information we needed to succeed were always in abundant supply.

My coworkers were professional and tactful in the carrying out of their daily duties, as well as compassionate and caring toward their students; Each of them would go the extra mile to ensure each student receives quality education.

The most challenging part of the job was also the most enjoyable, and that was the building of relationships with the students to learn their strengths and weaknesses and to see them progress as they overcame their various learning disabilities in order to successfully complete the course of their education.

A typical workday starts about 7:45 arrival, log in to computer, check email, and begin setting up materials for the day. Then morning duty to greet students as they arrive. Return to class, and begin teaching. six classes per day (K-5+EC - some mainstreamed, one individual class). About 15 minutes for clean up, then afternoon carpool duty until 4:00 pm. I also serve as coach for the National Geographic Bee and the Woodsmen of the World Speech Contest each year.

The most enjoyable part of my job is my time in the classroom with the children.  Making art with students, and getting to know them as individuals, is a privilege and a pleasure.  

Teaching all the children in the school makes it difficult to stay healthy due to the exposure to viruses and germs.  That fact, plus the fact that my friends and family are in Brunswick County, is why I am moving.  I really do love my job.

At Richlands Middle School I taught about 27-29 High Level Students.  They were the most remarkable students I have ever had.  Although chatty, they were brilliant.  Determined to talk, stubborn with discipline, yet shining and delightful!  My method of management was very strict.  They knew there were consequences for disobedience.  The culture of my classroom was varied.  The most enjoyable part of this year was seeing my beautiful students come in to the year shy, insecure, little children, and go out to 6th grade with confidence, boldness, structure, and goals. The hardest part of this job was not being able to take them home with me!  I learned that I was not responsible for everything that happened to my students, and I could not protect them like I wanted to.

A typical day is getting to the bus before dawn, starting the bus and making sure that all the equipment worked properly, by walking around and checking for anything that would be unsafe.  The driver and monitor would begin the route and work together to pick up the children and get them safely to school, then later in the day to get them safely to their home.
I learned how to monitor, then drive, a school bus and take care of the children that were riding on the bus, including those with wheelchairs and/or special needs.
The hardest part, to begin with, was getting up early in the mornings.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Teacher 10 salaries reported	$43,300 per year
Elementary school teacher 5 salaries reported	$36,000 per year
Educator 4 salaries reported	$40,750 per year
Teaching assistant 3 salaries reported	$23,167 per year
Special education teacher 3 salaries reported	$34,667 per year

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