Substitute Teaching

I found this article, http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/07/18/36substitutes_ep.h31.html, discussing the main concerns society has with student teaching and the ways in which we look down upon it. I found this article interesting, however, wanted to expand on it. While teacher absentences are detrimental to the students, at the same time they can be very beneficial to future teachers. My mom did not study education nor get any degree in it, she subs every day and has for years, and I'm convinced she has a better relationship with students and is all around a better teacher than many of the teachers she subs for. Why does this matter you ask? Well, I purpose the idea that student teaching and then being released into your own classroom is too sudden and not enough preparation. I think all students, should be required to spend time as a sub in a classroom. See kids from a different angle, having bad days, or acting fled up due to their teacher being gone. Subbing is a whole new, much harder ball game that I personally think we don't value enough. I think it would be great experience for a future teacher to determine whether or not they are actually cut out for this career path.