Substitute Teaching in Colorado, CO
Compared Nationally, Colorado has a very highly rated educational system. With 454,000 students and 1,734 public schools, they are and have been expanding their educational system and hiring new teachers. Along with this comes the need for Substitutes, and now is a great time to look into becoming one. In becoming a substitute teacher it is important to understand the job requires a very flexible schedule, it is easy to go from a week off to 3 weeks straight of work. This does however allow for generous time off, in which many current subs use to continue education or work on the side. Substituting is an awesome starting point for anyone that is looking to become a full-time salaried teacher, as it allows you to gain some experience and get real hands on time before completing committing to it as a career choice.
Required Training, Qualifications, and Education
To become a Substitute Teacher in Colorado you do not need to hold a Bachelor’s Degree. What you do need is a Highschool Diploma or GED equivalent, and passing scores on the Colorado Basic Skills and Oral English Proficiency Exam. Also you will need to go in for fingerprinting and state/federal criminal background checks.
Licensure and Certification
The following stipulations are required for submitting a substitute teacher application-
- Submit the Substitute Application through a local school system
- Include any official transcripts, references, or other relevant material
- Include required Application fee/s
For certification information please visit our Colorado Teacher Certification page.
Career Expectations For Substitutes in Colorado
Upturn from the recession has allowed most states to continue expanding their educational systems, including Colorado. Already having a fairly highly rated educational system, Colorado is looking to continue the trend with skilled teachers and substitutes alike. The educational system as a whole has shown to be a relatively safe job market, and increasing populations ensures the continued demand for more teachers and subs in the future. Becoming a substitute has many advantages, including flexible work schedules as well as an amazing addition to any resume, especially when seeking long term full time employment as a teacher.
Salary Expectation
The average salary of substitute teachers in Colorado is approximately $26,000 a year (according to bls.gov), which is about 12% lower then the national average. Considering the position does not require a Bachelor’s Degree, becoming a substitute teacher is a great opportunity for anyone without one or looking to try out the educational system before committing to a 4 year degree. Being a substitute also affords you the ability to work outside of substituting, or merely to have more time off then most other positions with like income.