Becoming a Substitute Teacher in Missouri, MO
Recently educational systems nationally have been expanding due to growing state populations. This coupled with economic upturn makes now a great time to look into the teaching field. Missouri, ranking 18th in population, has 916,000 public students, a number that is continually growing. The need for more subs is contingent upon the need more full-time salaried teachers, so the recent increase in both goes hand in hand. Becoming a substitute is very alluring for many reasons, one of the main ones being that most states do not require you to have a Bachelors Degree. Missouri is one of the states that doesn’t require a Bachelors, however you do need to show at least 60+ hours of collegiate experience directed towards the educational field. In becoming a substitute teacher it is important to understand the need for a flexible schedule, as you can be needed on very short notice. Many full-time salaried teachers started as subs and greatly appreciate the experience as it allows you to get a feel for the teaching industry without fully committing to a 4 year degree right off the bat. Many subs also enjoy the flexible work schedule as it allows them to pursue other ventures on the side, often times finishing up their Bachelors Degree or working part-time on the side.
Find Additional Pages About:
- Education: Path to Become a Teacher
- Becoming a Teacher in Missouri
- Teacher Certification and Credential in Missouri
- School Teacher Requirements in Missouri
Required Training, Qualifications, and Education
Missouri is one of the states that does not require a Bachelors Degree in order to become a sub, however you do need to show 60+ hours of collegiate experience. You will also need to go in for state fingerprinting and state and federal background checks. Some districts may have other requirements so make sure to check before applying.
Licensure and Certification
The following situations are required for a substitute teacher license (valid for the school-year)–
- Submit the Substitute Application through a local school system
- Include any official transcripts, references, or other relevant material
- Include required Application fee/s
- Must reapply for certificate every four years
Career Expectations For Substitutes in Missouri
Although Missouri does require at least 60 hours of college courses, this makes becoming a sub a perfect opportunity for a student looking to receive a degree in education as you can work subbing while still going to school. Job security for teachers and subs is pretty good considering growing state populations require more teachers to cope with more students. Teachers manage fairly well through the recession, and are doing even better now through the economic upturn. Coming out of the recession has allowed most states, including Missouri, to continue expanding their educational systems, which bodes well for job security as well as job availability. Since a lot of substitute work is given based on experience and education, many substitute teachers use their time when not subbing to complete Degree Programs or hold work on the side.
Salary Expectation
Currently, the average salary for a Substitute Teacher in Missouri is approximately $31,000 a year (according to bls.gov) which is about 4% higher than the national average. Substitute Teachers in Missouri make better then the national average, however it is important to realize this number can vary greatly as final pay is determined by experience, education, and by district. Additional income can be gained during times when you are not substitute teaching through things like test proctoring as well as tutoring.