Substitute Teaching
Substitute teaching allows graduate students the opportunity to experience a wide variety of schools while they are taking classes toward their certificate. You can begin building a network for the teaching job search, can see different types of teachers and teaching methods, and earn some money along the way. Many future teachers also find that substitute teaching allows them to build classroom management skills.
You must have a bachelor's degree to apply for and receive a substitute teaching certificate in the state of Illinois. All public schools require an Illinois substitute certificate for their substitute teachers. Private schools may or may not require a substitute certificate.
Applying for a Substitute Certificate in Chicago Public Schools
In the Chicago Public Schools, you will need these documents to apply for a job as a substitute:
- Substitute certificate
- Official transcript (you will need a second transcript; the State will not return to you the transcript mentioned above)
- Certified birth record or passport
- Driver's license or state ID
Take these documents to the Chicago Public Schools Substitute Center 125 S. Clark Street, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL, and complete an application. Since a background check is involved in the hiring process, it will be up to 6 weeks before you can begin working.
Applying for a Substitute Certificate in Suburban Districts
Each suburban district or private school will have its own process for hiring substitute teachers. Contact them directly for information about their application process.
To apply for a substitute certificate in Suburban Districts, you will need:
- An official transcript with a bachelor's degree posted.
- Certificate application
- $50 in fees. Contact the Education Office you're going to and inquire what method(s) of payment they accept.
Take or mail these documents to the appropriate Illinois State Board of Education office, as indicated below.
If you apply in person, you will receive a temporary employment authorization, which you may take to a District and be employed.
If you mail your application for a certificate, you will receive your substitute certificate in 3-5 weeks.
Helpful Resources for Substitute Teachers
The Substitute Institute at Utah State University, seeks "to revolutionize the role of substitute teaching into an opportunity for educational excellence, by assisting with policies and best practices in: recruiting, screening, training, evaluating, and retaining substitute teachers." Excellent materials here for substitute teachers.
Substitute Teaching: Tricks of the Trade.
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