Becoming a Substitute Teacher in North Carolina
Substitute teaching is a great opportunity for anyone interested in a career in the educational system. Being a substitute teacher carries with it many perks, including a flexible schedule that allows for free time to do things like continue education, work a part time job, or simply relax on days off. Keeping a flexible schedule is important when becoming a substitute teacher as you may be needed on short notice. Substituting is a great experience for any potential full-time teacher as it allows the opportunity to test out the educational field before committing completely. Another bonus to substitute teaching is that most states do not require a Bachelors Degree, so it is possible to substitute teach while completing a 4 year degree. North Carolina, along with the rest of the nation, has been expanding its educational system recently, bringing with it the demand for more teachers and substitutes, making now an ideal time to consider a position as an educator.
Required Training, Qualifications, and Education
In North Carolina the requirement for a Bachelors Degree to substitute teach varies by district, so make sure to contact local schools and districts to verify if one is needed. In all cases it is required to submit to state and federal fingerprinting and 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-
- Submit the Substitute Application through a local school system
- Include any official transcripts, references, or other relevant material
- Include required Application fee/s
- Meet any additional state requirements
Career Expectations For Substitutes in North Carolina
Following the trend of economic upturn, North Carolina as well as the rest of the nation has been continually expanding its educational system. Growing state and national populations has driven the need for more teachers, and inherently more substitutes. Job security within the educational system is pretty good, considering the need for teachers is a variable of how many students there are to teach, and populations continue to grow. Because of the need for a flexible schedule, substitute teachers find themselves with extra time on their hands to accomplish things like finishing Degree work, holding part-time jobs, or simply relaxing in their free time. Whether you want to ultimately be a full time salaried teacher or not, substitute teaching looks great on any resume as it shows you not only have the capability and patience to teach others, but a wide array of additional skills including information communication as well as organizational skills.
Salary Expectation
Currently, the average salary for a Substitute Teacher in North Carolina is approximately $28,000 a year (according to bls.gov) which is about 4% lower then the national average. It is important to understand that actual pay can vary greatly because it is dependent upon district, experience, and education. Additional income can be gained through other part time work when you are not substitute teaching.