Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in penny hoarder.
If there’s a job that’s always in need of people, it’s substitute teaching.
All you have to do is open a tab in your browser and type “jobs near me” and you’ll start seeing ads offering flexible hours and “no experience needed” to help fill gaps in your local school system.
The teacher shortage has largely impacted the need for substitute teachers, but no matter where you live, teachers need extra support to avoid being overworked or even teaching while sick.
Here’s everything you need to know now about how to become a substitute teacher.
Why schools are paying more for substitutes
according to ZipRecruiterthe average hourly wage for a substitute teacher ranges from $14.13 to $23.73, depending on the state, and can go as high as $49,368 if you teach full-time. The highest-paying states are Nevada, Massachusetts, Alaska and Washington.
But that’s not all. As it becomes increasingly difficult to meet demand, some school districts are raising salaries, adding incentives and easing common requirements for substitute teachers.
Report on substitute teacher shortage Includes stories about school boards raising salaries as they battle shortages: Up to $240 per day in one areaa bonus of up to $500 in another district, and a $130 per day bonus for those with a teaching license in another district. In some areas, schools even try Recruiting parents to fill gaps.
To fully understand what’s causing the shortage, it helps to look back a few years.
Recent data shows a 20% to 30% reduction in numbers become a teacher Compared to ten years ago. The trend of declining numbers of new teachers occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, but what is the reason for this decline?
The rise of remote and flexible work has given educators more high-paying job options than working in the classroom. Coupled with resource constraints, we face a shortage of qualified teachers to fill vacancies in schools.
How to become a substitute teacher
With all the challenges facing school systems, becoming a substitute teacher is easier than ever. Whether you want to work full-time, part-time, or on a day-to-day basis, many schools are willing to accept any help they can get.
But before you start applying, there are still some qualifications to know.
Requirements for aspiring substitute teachers are set at the state level and by each local school district, said Joseph Fitzgerald, vice president of operations for the Mountain West States Division of substitute staffing provider ESS.
“Many states and school districts allow individuals with a high school diploma or GED to become substitute teachers, while other states have added requirements ranging from passing the ParaPro exam to requiring a bachelor’s degree,” Fitzgerald said.
While education and experience requirements vary, one thing is for sure: you must pass a criminal background check and receive some training before you can enter the classroom.
Substitute teacher application process
Procedures vary from state to state and from school district to school district. But this is the typical process.
1. Apply at your local school district or talent agency website
Although you may be applying for a specific substitute teaching position, most substitute teaching roles are filtered through the school district, not just a specific school.
The main exception is when you apply for a position with a staffing agency such as ESS, in which case you can apply on their website, which will coordinate with the local school district on your behalf.
2. Complete the substitute teacher onboarding process
Once your initial application is reviewed, you may be prompted to submit to a criminal background check, which is required by law for prospective substitute teachers.
Once approved, you may also be asked to attend an orientation and provide professional references and proof of your education and certifications.
3. View through the “Alternative Portal”
After completing the onboarding process with your local school district, you can typically access the online substitute teacher portal, which is where the position is posted.
This is where the process gets interesting, because from here you can start creating a new work schedule.
“If you’re a Type A planner, you can log in early and get early-posted work,” says Whitney Rancourt, a longtime certified teacher and education blogger. Mom management. “But there are some benefits to logging in early in the morning on days when you can work.”
By combining the two, you’ll be able to grab work that occurs earlier (planned teacher absences) and take advantage of last-minute sick days.
How much money can you make as a substitute teacher?
Although many schools do not require extensive Teaching experiencehigher education degree or university credits, you may earn more if you have these qualifications.
“I’ve heard that replacement wages can be as low as $70 a day and as high as $200 a day,” Rancourt said. “Most school districts will pay slightly more than their base rate for certified, bachelor’s degree and retired teachers in the district.”
A bigger factor, Langu said, is location. Areas with a higher cost of living typically pay higher hourly rates.
That being said, school districts everywhere are increasing their services to provide more competitive services in the current market.
“We’re seeing school districts respond to substitute staffing shortages with higher wages and other incentives,” Fitzgerald said. “If you considered substitution a year or two ago, we encourage you to think again as many school districts have increased their salary levels.”
Which substitute teaching job pays the best?
Another factor that affects salary is the duration of substitute teaching.
“Construction-based alternatives and long-term alternatives are generally higher-paying positions,” Fitzgerald said. Substitute teachers in the building are committed to working in the same school every day. Long-term substitute teachers also have the additional responsibility of lesson preparation and grading, “so the district compensates this position more than a daily substitute teacher.”
Some school systems will also pay higher wages to aspiring substitute teachers who have a valid teaching license, are qualified to work with special needs students or teach specific subjects or grade levels.
Another thing to ask is whether the school pays by the hour or by the day. If you end up working longer shifts, this can have a big impact on your total take-home pay.
One last thing to remember when it comes to earning potential as a substitute teacher: Some jobs may even offer benefitespecially if you were hired through a staffing agency.
“At ESS, we provide health, vision, dental and life insurance to all replacement employees,” Fitzgerald said. “Most school districts don’t offer benefits to their substitutes, but it’s worth checking because some do.”
Is substitute teaching right for you?
It’s important to consider whether classroom teaching is actually right for you – because it definitely isn’t. the simplest job.
“It’s not easy to make money as a substitute teacher,” Langu said.
“If your body is not feeling tired at the end of the day, then you are not doing the job well. Substitutes should be walking around the classroom throughout the day, interacting with students, and actively monitoring and checking the quality of their work.
So who is suitable for this side job? Fitzgerald tells us this.
“The best personality types for substitute teaching are those who care about education and want to make a positive impact on students’ lives,” he said. “They must also be able to relate to and lead a group of children or young people, so those with strong social skills and confidence can particularly thrive in substitute teaching.”
How substitute teaching can boost your career
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you might just want to try substitute teaching. Even if it doesn’t end up being your long-term career, the position may open other doors and career opportunities.
“Substitute teaching can inspire career development in all areas of education,” Fitzgerald said.
“Many of our substitute teachers later become district employees in various capacities such as teachers, paraprofessionals or other support positions such as front desk staff.”
The bottom line about substitute teaching
While it may not be suitable for everyone, if you are passionate about education and would like to work with children and make some extra money, substitute teaching is worth exploring.
Who knows? Alternative teaching may inspire you to explore other role in educationincluding online tutoring. This can also give your resume a big boost. In either case, it’s a win-win.
