Becoming a Substitute Teacher in Maryland, MD
Ranking 19th in population with 1,424 public schools and 869,000 public students, Maryland is currently expanding its school districts. With this expansion brings demand for new teachers, and new teachers bring the demand for new substitutes to fill in. One of the main benefits of substitute teaching is that many states do not require a Bachelor’s Degree to become a sub which is great because it allows you to get a taste for the field before jumping in head first with a 4 year degree. Along with being a Substitute comes the understanding that your work schedule will be flexible, 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
Bachelor’s Degree requirement in Maryland varies by district, so it is important to communicate with local schools and districts to meet the expectations. You must also 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 stipulations are required for a 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 after expiration
Career Expectations For Substitutes in Maryland
Becoming a substitute carries many unique advantages, and now is an ideal time to consider a position especially as the nation comes out of economic downturn. The recession proved the educational system to be relatively stable as teachers faired better then most throughout the downturn. Along with the many other benefits of becoming a sub is the favorable boost it gives to your resume, even if you’re not looking to move into a full time teaching position. Depending on the district you may need a Bachelors Degree, however in either case you are afforded more flexibility then a full time teacher would be. Substituting also allows you to gain a better understanding of what it is like to become a teacher without committing to a full time position and the requirements that go along with it. Regardless of whether you wish to pursue a full time career as a teacher or not, substitute teaching looks great on any resume showing you have valuable skill sets that translate to almost any field of work.
Salary Expectation
Currently, the average salary for a Substitute Teacher in Maryland is approximately $31,000 a year (according to bls.gov) which is about 9% higher than the national average. 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.