If you didn't get a teaching position, which would be the next best option substitute teacher or teacher's assistant?

In my opinion, it would be better to take a job as a
teacher's assistant.  I think that you would get more relevant experience and have a
more satisfying experience.

As a teacher's assistant, you
would get to do many of the same things a teacher would do.  The only thing you would
not be doing would be the record keeping (and the lesson planning).  But you would have
the chance to be with one set of kids, learn how to build relationships with them over
time, etc.  You would also be able to learn from watching the
teacher.

As a sub, you would be "in charge," but you would
not really get an experience that is much like that of a real teacher.  You wouldn't get
to spend time with one group of kids and you still wouldn't be doing the lesson
planning.

So, to me, a teacher's assistant job would be a
much better way to hone your skills and it would be more likely to help you get a
teaching job down the line.