If you’re looking for a flexible and rewarding career in education, becoming a substitute teacher might be the perfect fit for you. Substitute teachers play a crucial role in schools by filling in for full-time teachers when they are absent, providing continuity of instruction and ensuring that students continue to learn even when their regular teacher is away.
But how do you become a substitute teacher? In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the steps you need to take to start a career as a substitute teacher, including the qualifications and certifications you’ll need, how to find substitute teaching jobs.
What is a Substitute Teacher?
The substitute teacher called in on an as-needed basis. The district pays them a set pay rate per hour, and they are not entitled to overtime. These teachers are usually more experienced and have higher education. They’re called upon when schools want to control the quality of education better.
Why Substitute Teacher?
They work under the contract and must be licensed as teachers but do not have to have teaching experience. There are many reasons that schools call in substitute teachers. When regular teachers take time off, they are usually on medical leave. If there is an unexpected emergency at the school or a natural disaster, then substitute teachers are brought in to cover classes.
Teachers often leave for personal reasons. Sometimes they take a vacation or sick days, and sometimes they have to go home to care for a sick child. When teachers take time off, they are replaced by substitute teachers who are hired by the school districts.
Sometimes there is an issue with a teacher’s professional license. This can happen when a teacher is fired or is convicted of a crime.
How to Become a Substitute Teacher?
The first step to becoming a substitute teacher is to enroll in a substitute teacher training program. This will give you a much-needed edge during the application process. We recommend that you enroll in a program that is accredited by a school or university.
Here are the detailed process of becoming a Substitute Teacher:
1. Earn A Bachelor’s Degree
To become a substitute teacher, you need a bachelor’s degree. The specific degree requirements vary from state to state. Some states require a Master’s degree, and some do not. The degree requirement may be different for your particular state.
A bachelor’s degree is typically required for most positions, including those in elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and colleges. Some states require a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the subject you want to teach.
2. Complete A State-Certified Teacher Program
Once you earn your bachelor’s degree, you can go on to complete a state-certified teacher program. If you are an educator and have earned your bachelor’s degree, you may already have some teaching experience under your belt.
In this case, you can skip the state-certified teacher program and go directly into substitute teaching. If you don’t have any teaching experience or have been out of the classroom for a while, you will need to complete a state-certified teacher program.
The requirements vary from state to state, but most states require that you obtain a bachelor’s degree before you can start working as a substitute teacher.
3. Obtain Your Substitute Teaching License
When you earn your bachelor’s degree, you will be eligible to apply for a substitute teaching license. There are several ways to obtain a substitute teaching license. Most states have online applications that you can use to apply for your license.
The application process varies from state to state. Some states require you to take an exam. Other states do not require you to pass a state exam. If you don’t pass the exam, you can still apply for a license. However, it will not be valid in your state.
4. Apply for a Teaching Job
Once you complete your substitute teaching license requirements, you can begin applying for jobs. You will need to complete a resume and cover letter and pass the necessary tests to get hired. The specific requirements vary from state to state. You will also need to meet all of the requirements for the position you are applying for. This includes passing any required exams. You should check the job posting and make sure that you meet the requirements.
5. Work As A Substitute Teacher
Once you are hired, you can begin working as a substitute teacher. This means that you will work on a temporary basis. Many schools do not require that you have a contract with them.
Some schools may require you to have an agreement before they hire you. The length of time you will be a substitute teacher will vary from school to school. Some schools will let you work for only one day.
Others will let you work for several weeks or months at a time. As a substitute teacher, you will be paid per day. This will vary depending on the length of time you work and the number of days you work. It is usually more expensive to work as a substitute than paying for your own classroom.
6. Become A Licensed Teacher
If you are able to complete your state-certified teacher program, you will be eligible to apply for a full teaching license. You can get a full teaching license by passing an exam.
Each state has its own licensing exam, but the core of the exam is the same for all states. By completing your state-certified teacher program, you will be eligible to apply for a professional teaching certificate. You can get a full teaching license by passing an exam.
Video credit – Amanda Rose
FAQs
1. What does Substitute Teacher do?
A school district employs substitute teachers to fill in absent teachers. Depending on the situation, a substitute teacher will be assigned to teach a class for an entire day or a part of the day.
The substitute teacher will take over the class when the regular teacher is absent. The substitute teacher will usually work with the same students as the regular teacher, and they may even have some of the same students in their classes.
2. What Qualifications Do Substitute Teachers Need?
The job of a substitute teacher requires extensive training to provide a safe and effective learning environment for students. To become a substitute teacher, you need to have an associate degree, such as a bachelor’s degree or higher. You also need to be certified by the state in which you live.
In addition, a substitute teacher needs to complete training on how to deal with children who are special needs and how to handle emergencies that may occur during a school day.
3. What Are Some Common Responsibilities of a Substitute Teacher?
A substitute teacher has a lot of responsibilities, including:
- Making sure students are getting their assignments
- Assessing student progress
- Helping students with any special needs
- Being familiar with the school and its policies
- Keeping track of student attendance
- Monitoring classroom conditions and following up with school officials if there is a problem that needs to be corrected
- Maintaining classroom discipline
The substitute teacher must be able to:
- Know the subject matter
- Be able to motivate students
- Be able to interact well with students
- Be able to work with the principal and other teachers
- Be able to handle unexpected situations
- Be able to cope with stress Substitute teachers need to be prepared for every situation.
4. What Benefits Do Substitute Teachers Get?
Teachers who work for a school district usually get the same benefits as other teachers. Substitute teachers, however, typically don’t get the same benefits.
Substitute teachers typically get paid daily, not salaried, so they don’t get paid time off when they’re not working. Substitutes may get paid more than classroom teachers if they’re called to work during a holiday or summer break when no other teachers are on the payroll. The specific benefits that substitutes may receive depend on the state where they work.
5. What Is The Average Salary of A Substitute Teacher?
If you are looking for the average salary of a substitute teacher, it depends on the district and type of position. Some districts pay more than others. You should research your district’s pay scale to determine how much you should expect to make daily.
The Average Salary of A Substitute Teacher is $110 per day in the United States.
6. What Skills Are Needed To Be A Substitute Teacher?
The skills required to be a substitute teacher may vary depending on the educational level and institution. For instance, substitute teachers in elementary and high schools need to handle multiple tasks as students in these grades require more direct supervision.
Here are some essential skills that substitute teachers should possess:
- Good communication skills
- Ability to educate and explain concepts effectively
- Understanding of the students’ needs
- Strong organizational skills
- Awareness of current events and trends in education
- Flexibility to adapt to different teaching environments
- Ability to teach various subjects and classes
- Patience is a must-have quality for all teachers
7. What Is Substitute Teacher Training?
According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 1.3 million substitute teachers work in the United States. In some states, substitute teachers must have state-approved substitute teacher training.
This training can be as short as one day or as long as a couple of weeks or months. Substitute teachers might have to meet additional requirements in certain states.
8. Can Substitute Teachers Apply For Unemployment?
If your school is on a break, such as a holiday or a winter vacation, you can collect unemployment. You will have to be eligible to be approved for unemployment. If you do not work enough hours to be eligible, you will not be approved for unemployment.
9. What Is A Substitute Teacher Certificate?
The substitute teaching certificate is valid in all U.S. states. This certificate is also valid in some countries outside the U.S. This certificate is valid for two years. A substitute teacher certificate is required to teach in a public school.
10. Is Substitute Teacher Pay Taxed?
If you are paid as a substitute teacher, your reimbursement for substitute teacher pay is typically not taxable. If you are a full-time substitute teacher and receive a W-2 form, your pay is not taxable.
11. Is Substitute Teacher Self Employed?
The short answer is YES. However, the long answer is that the substitute teacher must still be employed by a public school district to be eligible to receive the tax deduction.
