How to Become a Substitute Teacher in Fayette County, Georgia

Have you ever given any thought to becoming a substitute teacher? If not, let me provide you with some information and food for such a thought. In nearly every corner of the country, there is a need for substitute teachers, but the need is considerable in Fayette County and other Georgia counties. This does not seem to be public knowledge, however. People are surprised and downright amazed to find that there is a shortage of qualified substitute teachers. There are thousands of man (or woman) hours that must be filled with substitute teachers because teachers-just like everyone else-get sick, have sick children, get flat tires and have car problems that prevent them from being in their classroom on a particular day or days.

Why is there a shortage of substitute teachers? Some of the individuals who register to become a substitute teacher are in job-hunting mode. This is a way for them to make money, while they look for the job they want, and a way to potentially meet people with whom they can connect to job opportunities. As soon as these individuals find the job they want, they stop substituting. Other individuals who register to become a substitute teacher find they don't like the work, once they have a class or two under their belt. Others are only interested in teaching at a specific school or schools, so they are unavailable to other schools. Then there are the myriad of other reasons people never start or discontinue substituting. such as change of family situation, illness or moves.

The school can't just pluck someone from the street or call a parent to sit in for the class. In this day and age, that could be very risky. We are no longer small town America. Substitute teachers must be screened to ensure that they are qualified, competent and trustworthy. (This may be another reason there is a shortage of substitute teachers-people are afraid of the process or that they can't/don't qualify.)

Each year the Fayette County Board Of Education takes applications for substitute teachers. Along with completion of an application, the applicant must provide proof of education, have at least three confirmable references and pay to be fingerprinted ($25.00 last year). Once the background check is complete, potential candidates are notified of a substitute training class. During that class, candidates are given information about the substituting process, the administrative procedures and general work information. New substitutes have an opportunity to select the school or schools where they prefer to teach. However, if only one school is chosen, the substitute should not expect to be called for other schools. For the maximu8m number of assignment offers, select a maximum number of schools.

Upon completion of the class, new substitutes are given an ID and a PIN number. The process for requesting substitute teachers and for substitute teachers to accept open jobs is done electronically over the phone and online through the Board Of Education website. The ID and PIN numbers are necessary to accept positions and access the online system. Many times calls will come out of the blue early in the morning, because there has been an unforeseen event. Other times the outage is planned and substitutes receive advanced notice of the assignment. If you are going to become a substitute, keep an outfit our suit on the ready and your teaching bag packed-because you never know when you might be called.

The lady who is in charge of substitutes for Fayette County is a very knowledgeable woman with significant teaching experience under her belt. She is the guru of substitute teaching in the county. No, I won't tell you her name, first because I haven't asked her permission and second because she is very busy and I don't want everyone in the world calling her with questions. If you make application, you will meet her and she will become your good teaching friend.

If you have a high school education, a GED or a degree, you may qualify to become a substitute teacher. You can look at this opportunity in two ways:

· It is a part-time job that pays you more than fast food, in an environment with other intelligent adults, and/or

· You have an opportunity to share your intelligence-and wisdom-with your community, while making a few extra dollars.

Interested? Call your local Board of Education and ask when and if they are taking substitute teacher applications (usually before the new school year begins). If you are retired, this is an excellent way to keep your mind sharp, stay active and supplement your retirement income. If you are a new graduate and haven't yet found a job, what better way to start building your resume? Who knows, you might just find a new career!

P.S. Don't be discouraged if you see hundreds of people applying to substitute teach. My number was 327. I told the interviewer, "I guess you won't need me, if you have this many already." Her response: "Oh, yes we will!" And she was right! I had many teaching opportunities during the year.