Becoming a Substitute Teacher in Hawaii: Training & Certification

<h2 id="section---OverviewOfSubstituteTeacherRequirementsInHawaii">Overview of Substitute Teacher Requirements in Hawaii</h2> <p>Substitute teachers in Hawaii must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Though not required, preference is given to those candidates who have completed a State Approved Teacher Education Program (SATEP). A list of eligible teacher education programs is available on the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board website. Candidates who have completed such training programs are also eligible for higher hourly rates than those who have not. The table below is an overview on the requirements for Hawaii substitute teachers. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Education Required</b> </td><td> Bachelor's degree</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Training</b> </td><td> State Approved Teacher Education Program (SATEP) preferred</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Certification</b></td><td> Substitute Teacher Course Completion Certificate awarded after passing 30-hour course (for those without a teacher education training program)</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Skills</b> </td><td> Speaking, active listening, coordination</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Average Salary (2018)</b> </td><td> $47,020 (for all Hawaii substitute teachers)*</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026)</b> </td><td> 10% growth (for all teachers and instructors nationwide)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics </i></p> <h3 id="section---Step1SelectASchoolAndJoinTheirPreferredList">Step 1: Select a School and Join Their Preferred List</h3> <p>To begin the application progress, you must select specific schools where you are able to teach based on your location. The Hawaii State Department of Education website has a school locator tool available for use to help you select the appropriate schools. Once you have chosen one or several schools in your region, you will need to reach out to each school's administration individually to request placement on their substitute teacher preferred list. Be ready to submit a resume and copies of all applicable college transcripts for review, as you may be asked for this information. Once the school approves your request to be added to their preferred list, you will be ready to move on to the next step. </p> <h3 id="section---Step2CompleteTheSubstituteTeacherCourse">Step 2: Complete the Substitute Teacher Course</h3> <p>With a few exceptions (teachers already licensed in Hawaii or any other state), all substitute teacher applicants are required to complete the substitute teacher course, which is offered by the Hawaii Department of Education's Community Schools. You can only enroll in this course with an approval notice from a school's administration confirming their interest in adding you to their preferred list. The course lasts approximately 30 hours and ends with a final examination. </p> <p>Once you complete the course satisfactorily, you will receive a five year certificate, which you will need in order to continue the application process. </p> <h3 id="section---Step3CompleteAndSubmitTheApplicationPacket">Step 3: Complete and Submit the Application Packet</h3> <p>Once you have a certificate from the substitute teacher course, you will be able to complete the final steps of the application process. The next phase includes filling out the substitute teacher application packet, where you will be asked about your professional history, education history and teaching subject preferences. When you have completed the packet, you must return it to the school's administration along with all college transcripts, a copy of your social security card, the certificate of completion from the substitute teacher course, and a tuberculosis (TB) clearance certificate from a healthcare provider. </p> <h3 id="section---Step4PassTheRequiredBackgroundCheck">Step 4: Pass the Required Background Check</h3> <p>The final step before getting cleared for work is a national criminal background check, which will be managed by the school's district office. The appropriate staff-member at that office will reach out once your application packet has been processed to give you the relevant instructions and information. On the scheduled date, the office will take your fingerprints and send them to several national databases to verify that you have no criminal record or prior convictions. Once this step has been completed, you will be officially cleared for work on the school's preferred list (and will be contacted should the need for a substitute teacher arise).</p>