Becoming a Substitute Teacher: A Guide to Getting the Job

Substitute teaching is a great way to be able to help mold young minds and earn a little extra money each month. I've compiled a how-to guide on how to get started as a substitute teacher.

First, you'll want to contact your local school district, and find out what their requirements are. In my district, one needs a State Substitute Teaching License. There is a small charge for the license. To obtain the license, one needs a complete background check - there is an additional charge for this. One also needs to have their college transcripts, and certain immunizations must be up-to-date. Once all of the required documentation is together, the applicant must go through a complete drug screening, and interview process before they can be approved to work for the district.

After you complete all of the district's requirements to become certified to substitute, your next step is to wait for that call from the district - the one that will bring you your first substitute teaching assignment. While you wait for this call, however, you will need to prepare yourself for your first assignment. Sometimes teachers will leave you detailed instructions of what needs to be accomplished in the classroom in his/her absence. Other teachers will leave you with nothing but a classroom full of students, and you'll need to make sure the students spend their time productively. There are several ways to do this. If you know what grades you will be teaching, it is wise to hit up your local Wal-Mart or dollar-type store for some grade/age-specific workbooks. These are very inexpensive, and you can make copies for each student, and keep them busy (and learning)! You can also find many different websites on the internet that offer these types of worksheets, in math, reading, and other subjects. These are a great resource.