How to Become a Substitute Teacher for Elementary School
Teaching can be rewarding, but it is a demanding job. Substitute teachers provide relief for regular, full-time teachers who get sick or otherwise need personal days off. School districts today usually use automated systems to match substitutes to classes by qualifications, subject area expertise and availability. Generally speaking, elementary school teachers and administrators select substitutes with backgrounds in elementary education. Qualifications to be a substitute teacher vary by school district. To be considered for a position, you must have some college education, an elementary school teacher certification or job experience in an elementary school setting.
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Instructions
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Fill out the substitute teacher application on the school district website. Some school districts require you to create an account on their website and submit the application online, while others allow you to download the application and send it to human resources by mail. Include on your application information about your college education, your elementary school teaching qualifications and references. Some school districts require substitute teacher applicants to submit a resume and college transcripts.
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Complete the online interview, sometimes called an assessment. The online interview asks questions that asses your ability to work in a K-12 education system. School districts that use online screening do not publicize what constitutes a passing score, and you know whether you succeeded only if the school district invites you to proceed with the next step of the application process.
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Pay for fingerprinting and a criminal background check. The school district human resources office provides applicants with forms to fill out and collects the fees, which vary by jurisdiction. You must pass the criminal background check to be considered for employment. Some, but not all, school districts require you to provide a negative tuberculosis screening for substitute teaching consideration, which you can get at your local public health center.
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Attend substitute teaching orientation. Because of the volume of applications, school districts, especially those in large metropolitan areas, invite successful applicants to participate in orientation as long as they pass the online screening, health screening and criminal background check regardless of experience or education. Some school districts, such as Boston Public Schools, could require you to participate in additional training if you have no classroom experience before you can accept elementary substitute teaching assignments.
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Create a profile in the automated substitute teacher system. Indicate your availability and qualifications to teach elementary school. Elementary school teachers search for you based on those qualifications when they need a substitute. The automated system contacts you by email or telephone when a teacher selects you to fill in.
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