The complete guide to become a substitute teacher.

To become a substitute teacher, there are several steps you must follow; understand the responsibilities in the job description, learn the requirements for your state, the application process, and how to take assignments.

As the leader in substitute teacher staffing in the United States, Kelly Education has assembled these articles to help you get started. Below you can read summaries of each. 

• Requirements to become a substitute teacher in your state
• Duties and responsibilities
• Job description
• Salary expectations 
• Types of substitute teachers
• How substitute teachers get their assignments
• Benefits of being a substitute teacher

Requirements to substitute teach in your state. 

Each state has different rules and minimum requirements. Even then, school districts can add requirements. We’ve put together a more comprehensive list of state specific requirements in this article. You’ll want to understand details about these minimum requirements: 

• Credentialing – Do you need a permit or license?
• Education verification  – Do you need a college degree?
• Background checks and fingerprinting 
• Employment verification – Are you legally able to prove that you can work in the United States?
• Training – Does your state or district require pre-hire training?

Duties and responsibilities.

Substitute teaching means filling in for teachers when they’re absent. Some of the key duties and responsibilities of substitute teachers include taking attendance, following lesson plans provided by the teacher, assigning homework, and supervising students in a classroom.

Generally, as a short-term substitute teacher, you won’t develop lesson plans, grade papers, or communicate with parents. That’s the job of the teacher or school district. Long-term substitute teachers are more likely to take on these responsibilities after being assigned to do so by a school administrator. 

Substitute teacher job description.

A great way to better understand what it takes to become a substitute teacher is to review our example job descriptions or check out your school district’s site. Job descriptions outline key details about a  particular substitute teaching position. Here are some of the pertinent details typically included in job descriptions:

• Title 
• Reporting structure 
• Key objectives 
• Required qualifications 
• Special job requirements 
• Job duties and responsibilities 

Some job descriptions also provide salary information. For more details, check out our full article about job descriptions.

Salary expectations.

Substitute teacher pay varies by state and by the school districts within each state, but can typically range from $16 per hour to $33 per hour, on average. A couple factors that can impact pay include local and state taxes, and your education level. Some school districts pay by the hour, while others pay a daily rate. 

Types of substitute teachers.

There are many types of substitute teachers working in school districts. For example, you can become a short term, daily, long-term, building substitute teacher. Learn about all the differences in this article. It provides details about each role and how they might fit into your need for a flexible or more predictable job schedule.

Benefits of working as substitute.

There are several reasons people choose to work as substitute educators. Here are a few of them to consider: 

• Ease of entry. You might be surprised to learn that you rarely need a teaching degree to become a substitute teacher. In many states, you just need a high school diploma or equivalent. Many school districts do not require you to have any prior teaching experience. 

• Flexible schedule. As a substitute teacher, you can choose the days you want to work. On the days you do work, your day typically ends before the normal business day, giving you time to run errands before heading home for dinner. You’ll also enjoy weekends, nights, and summers off. 

• Extra money. As a substitute teacher, you benefit from a steady paycheck and regular opportunities. Even if you only choose to work a few days a month to increase your savings, pay bills, travel, and more. You can also choose to schedule as many days as possible for full-time pay. 

• Positive impact. Substitute teaching is a great choice for those driven to make a difference in their communities. Not only will you make a difference in the lives of your students, but you’ll also have fun doing it through the diversity of assignments, connecting with different students, and coming up with fun ways to work with students when needed. 

• Community and connection. Community is important. One of the things many love about substitute teaching is that they have fun and enjoy connecting with other coworkers. Many even make lifelong friends and colleagues. 

Grow as a substitute teacher with Kelly Education.

At Kelly Education, we want all of our substitute educators to be successful on the first day they step foot in the classroom. We provide pre-hire training, voluntary professional development, and a comprehensive series of articles with tips to improve skills. :

• What to wear as a substitute teacher.
• Classroom management for substitute teachers
• Do substitute teachers get health benefits

Are you ready to make a difference? Substitute teaching is a flexible and rewarding job. Fill out our brief interest form. Then, one of our expert recruiters will contact you to share more. We’re excited to get to know you and help you get started! 

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