Becoming a Substitute Teacher in Michigan, MI
Michigan, ranking 8th in population, has 631,334 students. The state has 4,126 public schools and is looking to continue filling them out. Increased demand for teachers brings along an inherent need for more Subs, so now is a great time to look into becoming one. Most states do not require a Bachelor’s Degree in order to become a sub, and Michigan is one of those states which is great because you don’t need to commit 4 years of school to look into the teaching field. 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
You do not need a Bachelor’s Degree to become a sub in Michigan but you do need to show at least 90 hours consolidated at a 4 year accredited College or University. 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 1-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 Michigan
Since Michigan has been able to continue expanding its educational system, now is an excellent time to look into the field of becoming a Substitute Teacher. Although the recession hit everyone pretty hard, teachers managed to fair pretty well compared to average. 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 Michigan is approximately $27,000 a year (according to bls.gov) which is about 7% lower 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.