How to Become a Substitute Teacher in Polk County, Florida

<table border="1"><tr><td> Education/Experience Required </td><td> 30 semester hours of college credit<br/>Substitute teacher training program<br/>Paid employment training</td></tr> <tr><td> Exam Requirements </td><td> Background clearance</td></tr> <tr><td> Average Annual Salary (2018) </td><td> $23,960 (Lakeland-Winter Haven area)*</td></tr> <tr><td> Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026) </td><td> 10% (teachers and instructors, all other, nationwide)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau Labor of Statistics </i></p><h3 id="section---InformationOnKellyEducationalStaffingAndHowToApply">Information on Kelly Educational Staffing and How to Apply</h3><p>Polk County Public Schools is in partnership with Kelly Educational Staffing, a nationwide employment company that assists substitute teachers in finding available work. Prospective substitutes in Polk County will need to complete an online pre-screening process through the KES website, a procedure designed to determine applicants' eligibility for employment. </p><p>Once pre-screening is completed, a representative gets in touch to schedule an interview and provide applicants with further instructions for completing the application process. This may include submitting letters of recommendation from professional contacts. </p><p>Applicants must also submit to a background clearance procedure, which involves undergoing a fingerprint and drug test screening. Individuals must pay the appropriate fees to undertake both tests. </p><h3 id="section---EducationalAndTrainingRequirements">Educational and Training Requirements</h3><p>All substitute teachers in Polk County schools must have a minimum of 30 semester hours from an accredited college or university. As part of their application process with KES, individuals also need to attend and complete a substitute teacher training program that covers legal and health issues, classroom management, instructional strategies, professional standards, and other fundamental areas of teaching. </p><p>Once employed, the school district will provide substitutes with paid, on-the-job training - helping them fully grasp the responsibilities of their role as well as district policies and procedures. </p><h3 id="section---UsingTheFrontlineEducationSystem">Using the Frontline Education System</h3><p>Once enrolled with KES, substitutes will have access to Frontline Education's Absence Management Solution, an online system that assists with viewing, scheduling, and accepting teaching assignments. Individuals will need a login to enter this system, directing them to a dashboard where they can manage their existing tasks and view other available jobs. </p><p>Additionally, the system has an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) feature that allows individuals to receive notifications of any available assignments to help them stay on top of new substitute teaching opportunities. </p><h3 id="section---AdditionalRequirementsForSubstituteEmployment">Additional Requirements for Substitute Employment</h3><p>Substitute teachers employed by KES must meet the minimum work requirements by teaching at least two days per week. Additionally, over the course of 45 days, they must work a minimum of two Fridays and two Mondays. They must also be willing to work in at least two schools and accept last-minute or same-day assignments when necessary. </p><h3 id="section---SubstituteTeacherPay">Substitute Teacher Pay</h3><p>Polk County substitute teachers working under KES earn a rate of $80 a day, increasing to $90 on their 11th day teaching in the same classroom (also known as long-term substitute teaching). No fees are required to be employed under the NES system. </p><p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May 2018 that substitutes working in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL, area earned an average annual salary of $23,960.</p>