How to Become a Substitute Teacher in Pasco County, Florida

<table border="1"><tr><td> Education/Experience Required </td><td>Minimum of high school diploma<br/>Completion of online training program</td></tr> <tr><td> Exam Requirements </td><td> Background check</td></tr> <tr><td> Average Annual Salary (2018) </td><td> $23,140 (substitute teachers in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater 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---Step1FulfillEducationalAndTrainingRequirements">Step 1: Fulfill Educational and Training Requirements</h3><p>All substitute teachers in Pasco County, Florida, need a minimum of a high school diploma - though those who hold more advanced academic and experiential credentials may be eligible for higher pay - and must complete a mandatory Online Substitute Training Program offered through EdTrainingCenter. This is an online introductory training program designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to work as a substitute in the Pasco County School District. Once completed, individuals must save a digital copy of the provided Certificate of Completion, to be uploaded with their online employment application. </p><h3 id="section---Step2ApplyOnlineAndScheduleAnInterview">Step 2: Apply Online and Schedule an Interview</h3><p>Once all the educational and training requirements are met, individuals are then required to fill out the Guest Teacher (Instructional Substitute) application on the Pasco County Schools website. They may choose to apply for a specific school or with the district as a whole. Substitute teaching candidates will then need to be interviewed by an HR representative. Full instructions on how arrange one of these sessions will be sent to individuals through e-mail. </p><h3 id="section---Step3BackgroundClearanceAndOnboardingSessions">Step 3: Background Clearance and Onboarding Sessions</h3><p>After a successful interview, applicants will then need to complete the school district's background clearance procedures, which include getting fingerprinted and passing a background check. Individuals must explain the circumstances of any past criminal incidents in a thorough, detailed letter, and submit certified documents or reports addressing arrests, charges, sentencing, pleadings, and other relevant factors. </p><p>Upon completion of the necessary hiring paperwork, individuals will then need to head to the district office to complete an onboarding session. Here, prospective substitutes must present all documents addressing employment eligibility, and they will have the opportunity to discuss further questions with an onboarding representative. Within one week of this session, individuals will be granted access to the district's SmartFind portal system for employed substitutes. </p><h3 id="section---SalaryInformation">Salary Information</h3><p>While practicing substitute teachers in Pasco County only need a minimum of a high school diploma, salary rates may be higher with more advanced academic credentials. According to the Pasco County Schools website, substitutes with a high school diploma are paid $65 per day. Those with a bachelor's degree or higher are paid $70 per day, while those who hold a current teaching certificate or are retired earn $75 per day. These are the standard rates for ''regular'' substitute teachers (those who have served 1-10 days); they may increase if you're considered a long-term substitute (having served 11-29 days). </p><p>Professional substitute teachers are those who have completed a bachelor's degree in an approved teaching subject and hold a current teaching certificate. These individuals substitute for teachers who are on leave for 30 days or more. These types of substitutes can earn $160 per day.</p>