Becoming a Substitute Teacher in Kentucky, KY
Kentucky, ranking 26th in population, has 631,334 students. The state has 1,474 public schools and is looking to continue filling them out. This makes now an excellent time to look into the teaching field, and becoming a Substitute is one of the best ways to do that. Although most states do not require a Bachelor’s Degree in order to become a sub, Kentucky is one of the few that does so this is important to keep in mind. Being able to have a flexible schedule is important in becoming a Substitute Teacher, which many people enjoy as it allows them to accomplish other things with their time such as furthering education or working another job.
Required Training, Qualifications, and Education
Kentucky does require a Bachelor’s Degree in order to become a substitute teacher, so this is important to keep in mind when thinking about applying. In addition to this you must complete a 64 hour teacher preparation program as well as 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 5-year substitute teacher license–
- 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 Kentucky
Although the recession hit everyone pretty hard, teachers managed to fair pretty well compared to average. Coming out of the recession has allowed school districts nationally to expand, which makes now a good time to look into becoming a Substitute Teacher. Growing national populations pretty much dictate the fact that teachers will continue to be in need for a long time, which alludes to good job longevity. Many Substitutes utilize the flexible schedule to further their education or work a job on the side. Although a Bachelor’s Degree is still required to become a Substitute Teacher, this position gives you a lot more flexibility then becoming a Full Time teacher, allowing you to test the waters before you make your final decision. Either way, Substitute Teaching looks great on any resume whether applying for Full Time status or not.
Salary Expectation
Currently, the average salary for a Substitute Teacher in Kentucky is approximately $30,000 a year (according to bls.gov) which is about 4% higher than the national average. It is important to understand that this number can vary greatly due to the fact that actual pay is greatly dependent upon variables like district, experience, and qualifications. Additional income can be gained during times when you are not substitute teaching through things like test proctoring as well as tutoring.