Becoming a Sub
What are the requirements to become a substitute in Ohio?
To substitute in any school district in Ohio you must first obtain a Substitute Teacher License. The requirements for a license are:
Are there many openings for substitute teachers?
Most school districts have a high need for substitute teachers and substitute educational aides. Substitute teachers are needed when regular classroom teachers/aides are sick, on vacation or are participating in professional development activities, which take them away from their class.
Who are substitute teachers?
Substitute teachers hail from a variety of backgrounds and experience. Those who hold a substitute license comprise of people with degrees in fields other than education, college students just graduating with their degrees in education, retirees, or people wanting to work part-time as they raise their children.
How much can I expect to earn as a substitute teacher?
Contact the school district in which you would like to teach to find out the pay scale. Typically, substitute teachers are not eligible for healthcare benefits.
How do I begin?
You must obtain a short-term or long-term substitute teacher license through ODE. To obtain a license you must be sponsored by a school district or County Educational Service Center (ESC). These institutions should be able to perform the necessary background checks, gather the required paperwork and send these to ODE requesting a license on your behalf. This is done on the assumption that you will work for their district. Licenses are valid from July 1st to June 30th annually and may be renewed at the end of the licensing period at the request of the employing school district.
Some paperwork is needed to begin. You must show evidence of the following to obtain an Ohio Substitute Teacher License:
Is training required for obtaining my license?
In Ohio, training is not required to obtain your substitute teacher license. But, it is highly recommended and, in some cases, required for employment with school districts. Many districts provide orientation sessions but for fiscal reasons cannot offer professional development for their substitutes. OCST offers a one-day training session for substitute teachers. Participants are charged a nominal fee, which covers the cost of training materials, lunch and follow-up consultation services. All participants who complete the training will receive an official Certificate of Completion and a recommendation to be considered for "preferred" status on participation districts' lists of substitute teachers.
What can I expect to learn in the training session?
Topics covered in the OCST training program include classroom management, instructional strategies, professional behavior and ethics, and preparing emergency lesson plans. Building-level and district-wide legal issues and emergency procedures may vary by district. Try to visit the buildings within the school district in which you will be employed so that you are familiar with the procedures and key personnel.