What Does It Take to Become a Substitute Teacher in the State of Florida?
Working as a substitute teacher can prove a fulfilling occupation -- once you complete the process. The process begins and ends with the school district. The specific requirements will vary from district to district since, in Florida, each district sets its own standards for training, education and experience. While it sounds like an administrative hodgepodge, some research about the school districts, their training requirements and paperwork will simplify your progress.
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The Basics
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The state of Florida only has minimal requirements for substitute teachers. The applicant must have completed high school or an equivalent educational program and be over 18 years of age. The applicant must consent to a drug test and fingerprinting -- fingerprints are taken so the state can conduct a background investigation, including the applicant's criminal history. Before commencing employment as a substitute teacher, the applicant must have completed the district's training program in the safety and security processes established for the district's schools, the professional responsibilities of teachers, the laws concerning educational liability in Florida and ethics. Candidates without prior experience must complete a course in classroom management.
School Districts Make the Rules
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In Florida, the individual school districts are allowed to set most of the employment standards for substitute teachers, apart from the basic state requirements. Even if an applicant meets the state's requirements, the district may have more stringent requirements. Districts may require the substitute to have a degree, live in the district or work a specified number of hours each year. Substitute teachers may be required to complete Florida-specific or subject-specific state teacher certification programs prior to commencing employment. As part of the certification process, you must provide a notarized statement that you subscribe to the constitutions of both the United States and Florida.
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Selecting and Researching a District
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Gasoline is becoming more expensive with each passing year. This makes the location of a potential employer a factor in any job choice. It becomes even more important when a school district requires you to live within the boundaries of the district, as some do. Since the decisions and standards regarding a substitute are made at the district level, once you've found the district -- or districts -- that you wish to work in, it's up to you to contact the district, either through its website or in person. All 74 of Florida's school districts have websites. Generally, the website is the applicant's first contact with the district, and that first contact may inform the hopeful applicant of everything necessary.
Getting the Job
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From the Keys, to Jacksonville, to Pensacola, no two parts of Florida are alike. No two Florida school districts are alike, either. Glades County schools require you to have a bachelor's degree, a valid Florida certification in the subject you will be substituting in and a laundry list of certifications. Miami-Dade County, on the other hand, requires you to pass the General Knowlege portion of the Florida Teacher Competency Examination -- a test of language and math skills -- and a two-day "Temporary Instructor" course at Miami-Dade College. Some districts have the application for employment as a substitute on their websites, while others do not. You'll need to call or visit those that do not -- another reason to choose a nearby district -- to find out what their requirements are for residency and to pick up an application and start the process.
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References
- Florida State Senate Website Archive: The 2010 Florida Statutes, Section 1012.35
- Florida State Senate Website Archive: The 2010 Florida Statutes, Section 1012.56
- The Heartland Education Consortiom: School Board of Glades County
- Miami-Dade County Public Schools: Temporary Instructor (Substitute Teacher)
