Becoming a Substitute Teacher in South Carolina
Current economic and growth factors make now an ideal time to consider a career in the educational system. Substitute teaching is perhaps one of the best ways to begin in the educational system, providing many benefits not offered to full-time salaried teachers. The need for flexible schedule allows for free time to do things like continue education, work a part time job, or simply relax on days off. Substitutes need to maintain a flexible schedule as they are on call and can be needed in very short notice. Potential full-time teachers should seriously consider substitute teaching as it allows the opportunity to get a feel for 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. South Carolina, a state with 700,000 public students and 1,177 public schools ranks 24th in the nation in terms of state population, and educational expansion makes teaching in the state a very attractive opportunity.
Required Training, Qualifications, and Education
Bachelor Degree requirement in South Carolina varies by district so make sure to check with local schools and districts to meet any necessary requirements. In all cases it is also 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 South Carolina
South Carolina varies by district on whether Bachelors Degree is required or not, but either way substitute teaching has many unique advantages. Prospective full-time teachers greatly value the experience of substitute teaching as it provides enormously important educational experience that can set apart a resume from the rest. Consistently growing state and national populations forecast the continued need for educators making the educational system fairly stable. The flexible schedule of a substitute teachers allows for continuing of education in pursuit of a more advanced degree, working a part-time job, or even taking time off to relax. Regardless of whether you wish to become a full-time salaried teacher or not, substitute teaching looks great on any resume as it shows you have numerous valuable skill sets including good information communication as well as organizational and personal communication strengths.
Salary Expectation
Currently, the average salary for a Substitute Teacher in South Carolina is approximately $27,000 a year which is about 8% lower then the national average. It is important to consider the fact that this number can vary greatly, due to the fact that actual pay is dependent upon district, experience, and education. Additional income can be gained through other part time work when you are not substitute teaching.