Become A Substitute Teacher
Completing The Application Process is Your Biggest Obstacle
Today, school districts have tightened the requirements for becoming a substitute teacher. You must have at least a high school diploma, and depending on where you teach, a four year degree. Your daily compensation depends on your level of education. If you have a degree in education, you will get paid more than someone who has a degree in another field.
If you are interested in substituting in a public school, you usually have to go through the school district’s central employment office. There has been much discussion recently regarding the neglect in adequate screening of individuals employed by the nation’s school systems. Making sure criminal background checks are conducted, and references are secured is imperative in hiring anyone today in a school system. You will be asked to complete a thorough application, including any jobs you might have held in other school districts. Your prospective employment packet, which you are required to fill out before being considered for employment in a school, will include standard employment and education sections, as well as other components you may not find on a standard application. You might need to get a tuberculosis shot, and you will need your immunization records.
It is important that you keep all relevant papers regarding the employment process. Keep track of dates of contact with the employment office, and make sure you find out how long it will take to be accepted by the district as a substitute. Be patient; the larger the school district, the longer the wait might be before you get an answer. If it’s been longer than the district said it would take, give them a call to see how your application process is going.
Most school districts have an orientation for substitute teachers. Usually those attending have already completed preliminary steps towards being accepted as a substitute for the district. During the orientation, you might watch a video that would give you helpful information pertaining to substituting for a class. There might be some role-playing, and a question and answer session. The orientation is usually conducted by someone in the central district who is skilled in training new substitutes for the schools.
Becoming a substitute teacher takes time and commitment, but the rewards are well worth it. The flexibility of being able to go to a different school each day works well for many individuals. Districts are always looking for qualified substitute teachers. If you get to your schools on time, and follow the rules of the district, you will be a valuable asset to the school system.
