The Uphill Fight For Subs
Im Giulia Heyward, and since this school year began, Ive covered the nationwide labor shortage affecting so many of the countrys schools.
Low pay, few benefits and erratic hours have long created staffing issues for many districts. The pandemic only compounded those problems.
Substitute teachers are especially in demand. At least two states, Missouri and Oregon, removed their degree requirements for would-be hires, to try to attract more substitutes. Other districts raised pay and increased benefits. When that failed, many temporarily canceled classes or turned to remote schooling.
The abrupt changes sent families scrambling to find child care and extended learning losses from the pandemic. Here are a few unconventional strategies used by districts that show the extent of the problem:
State employees including a governor and the National Guard are being asked to teach.
In New Mexico, the governor is now a licensed substitute teacher.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is encouraging other state employees, and the New Mexico National Guard, to follow suit. The staffing shortages in the state are so dire that state workers are also being asked to go on administrative leave to work as substitute teachers.
Other state leaders are doing the same. In Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitts executive order will let state employees work as substitutes for the remainder of the school year. One Oklahoma City bank even urged dozens of its own employees to help out.
How Do I Become A Substitute Teacher In Nyc
Requirements for becoming a substitute teacher the New York City Public Schools vary based on whether or not the applicant has a teaching certificate. Once hired, substitute teachers are expected to teach, manage the classroom, perform administrative tasks, regulate student behavior, and ensure student safety and security. Substitute teachers in New York City are paid per diem and do not receive any benefits.
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How Much Can I Make As A Substitute Teacher
The average hourly pay for substitute teachers is about $15, according to Indeed.com. Some school systems pay more with top systems paying over $20 per hour for substitute teachers.
Your location will also help to determine how much you can make as a substitute teacher. New York City pays the highest with Los Angeles and Las Vegas both paying above the national average.
If you have the right certifications, you might be able to make more as a substitute teacher. BC/BE certification is the top option with the ESOL and ESL certification also helping you earn more.
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New York City Teacher Salary And Jobs Outlook
As is common in other states and metros, the average salary for teachers in New York City increases based on the age range taught. According to the New York Department of Labor, in 2018 NYC kindergarten teachers earned an average salary of $66,310, while elementary teachers earned $80,300, middle school teachers earned $79,260, and secondary school teachers earned $80,840.2 These averages are below statewide averages as of 2018, which showed that kindergarten teachers earned an average of $79,410, elementary school teachers earned $83,010, middle school teachers earned $83,490, and secondary school teachers earned $85,300.3
Long-term projections for teacher positions suggest that jobs growth for teachers in New York City should increase by between 4% and 5% through 2026.2 Special education teachers in preschool and kindergarten and elementary school should see even stronger growth, at 18.8% and 7.2% respectively.2
New York Substitute Teaching License
In most school districts, substitute teachers are not required to hold a certificate.
Some school districts however, do impose requirements on substitutes. Check with your district for its specific rules. The New York City Board of Education, for example, requires all of its substitute teachers to hold a license .
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New York City School District Steps For Becoming A Teacher
To work as a teacher or substitute teacher in New York City, you will need to have a teaching certificate issued by the New York State Education Department or have a bachelors degree and complete an alternative program that allows you to earn the certificate while you work, such as the New York City Teaching Fellows program. There are several programs offered to earn this certificate depending on your prior education and experience. You can learn more about these statewide requirements in the New York certification section below. Once you have obtained the NYSED teaching certificate, follow the steps below to look for New York City teaching jobs.
Tip: Try A Primal Scream
A group of about 20 mothers in Boston were exhausted. So they met at the 50-yard line of a high school football field one night and screamed and screamed and screamed letting out some of the stress of parenting during the pandemic.
It was so nice to feel out of control for the first time, one of the mothers told Sarah Harmon,who organized the gathering.
At the football field, Harmon signaled the start of a new round of screaming by raising two light-up unicorn wands that belong to her daughters. For 20 minutes, they screamed in different ways, laughing, competing, letting the catharsis wash over them.
Mothers often have no place to escape and no time to take a break, said Dr. Ellen Vora, a psychiatrist in Manhattan. Unlike their children, they cant have a meltdown. If you have two to three years of pent-up pressure, Dr. Vora said, going and being in a community of other moms and having a big release in the form of a scream is really healthy.
If youre in Massachusetts, Harmon is now leading other screams across the state. Or, you could call The Timess primal scream hotline, which is available to mothers who want to yell, laugh, cry or vent for a solid minute.
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The Complete Guide To Becoming A Substitute Teacher In New York
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Substitute teaching is a rewarding and flexible way to develop your career on your terms. Whether you have recently earned your degree, are entering the workforce after time off, or are ready for a change from a decades-long career, substitute teaching may be a natural next step for you!
In this guide to becoming a substitute teacher in New York, youll find information on subbing requirements and how to apply to teaching jobs in New York.
MORE GUIDES TO BECOMING A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER: New Jersey | Texas | California | Arizona | Washington D.C.
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How To Become A Teacher In New York City
Teaching in New York City can be a challenging and rewarding career path. Public school teachers in New York City are employed by the New York City Department of Educationthe largest public school district in the country with over one million students and 75,000 teachers in 1,800 schools.1 Although the application process for teaching jobs in NYC is generally competitive, there are many opportunities available, especially if you teach a high-demand subject, such as science, math, or languages, or are interested in teaching in a high-needs area of the city. You will need teaching certification to work in the public school system, although this certification is not necessarily required in private and charter schools in New York City. Continue reading to learn more about how to become a teacher in New York City.
Frequently Asked Questions About A Substitute Teacher Salaries
The average salary for a Substitute Teacher is $18 per hour in New York State. Salaries estimates are based on 325 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Substitute Teacher employees in New York State.
The highest salary for a Substitute Teacher in New York State is $28 per hour.
The lowest salary for a Substitute Teacher in New York State is $13 per hour.
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Become Licensed Or Certified
After meeting all the state requirements, you will need to become licensed as a substitute teacher. This may require specialized training or even passing the right examination. In some states, you will need a specialized permit, such as Illinois and Ohio.
The training will often include an orientation program with instruction on leading lessons and classroom management. You will gain the help you need to become better prepared for the classroom with this training.
If you have to pass an exam, you will likely need to study classroom management, instruction techniques, and pedagogy. Other topics may also be covered on the exam and will be discussed during the training program.
Get Your Bachelors Degree
You may need a bachelors degree or some college credit hours to become a substitute teacher. This will depend on your state. If this is the case, you will need to get your degree or complete the necessary college courses.
In some cases, you will need a degree in the area you plan to sub for. Other states will use you at specific grade levels based on the type of degree you have. If you want to become a long-term substitute teacher, you will likely need a bachelors degree in the areas that you will be teaching.
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What Does A Substitute Teacher Do
For many, the idea of being a substitute teacher invokes memories of days in school where a substitute teacher would show up for a day and plan an educational movie for the class. While this may sometimes happen, being a substitute teacher involves far more than serving as a glorified student-sitter. Job duties of substitute teachers often include:
- Continue an existing lesson plan started by the regular teacher.
- Take attendance.
- Report any improper student conduct in the classroom or school grounds and take appropriate disciplinary action.
- Create a new lesson plan that covers the class material in accordance with the regular teachers syllabus.
- Prepare notes or a summary for the regular teacher so they will be up-to-date on what happened while they were gone.
- Carry out other school duties, such as monitoring hallways, supervising lunch and recess, guiding students in safety drills or observing student pick up or drop off.
- Consult with the principal or other school officials regarding classroom concerns or issues.
- Explain homework assignments
Important skills to succeed as a substitute teacher include:
- Communication skills
Step 2
How Advanced Degrees Impact Salary
Advanced degrees can have a positive impact on the salary you earn as a certified teacher. In 2019-20, the New York City Department of Education reported that its starting salaries for teachers with a bachelors degree and no prior teaching experience began at $57,845, while new teachers with a masters degree and no prior experience started at $65,026.
In New York state, 84% of teachers hold a masters degree, so youre likely to need an advanced degree to stay competitive in the market. Youll also need a graduate degree to qualify for a Professional Certificate.
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Does Becoming A Substitute Teacher Make Sense For You
Serving as a substitute teacher can have many benefits, including allowing you to see what youre getting into if you choose to move forward and earn a teaching license. But even if thats not your end goal, those who are looking for a way to obtain supplemental income without changing careers is another great reason to teach. Here are a few questions you can ask before you leap to determine if becoming a substitute teacher is something you should seriously consider.
- Do you enjoy working with students, but arent sure if you want to teach as a permanent career?
- Are you okay with the possibility of unpredictable and part-time work?
- Do you need the ability to set your own schedule?
- Do you enjoy the idea of being able to work with students from multiple grade levels?
- Can you handle having a job where you may not be eligible for fringe benefits, like health insurance or paid vacation?
If you answered yes to most of the questions above, a career in teaching is likely a good choice for you.
Major Or Minor In Education And/or Teaching
Even though a bachelors in education, teaching or a comparable field is not required, its often recommended. A degree in an education-related field provides critical training and experience to effectively teach students within a classroom. These courses cover childhood development, curriculum creation, student inclusion, and child psychology and they provide necessary academic tools and skills not found in non-education majors. For those who arent sure about teaching or otherwise do not want to commit to an education major, minoring in education can be helpful too.
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Finding Approved Teacher Education Programs In New York
Projected Job Growth
6.2%
Growth in Teaching Jobs in NY through 20262
In addition to requiring all new teachers to hold a bachelors degree, New York requires prospective teachers to complete an approved teacher preparation program at an accredited institution. You can find a list of approved teacher preparation programs, known as NYS Registered Programs, through the New York State Education Department. To compare key metrics for these state-approved teacher preparation programs, use the sortable table on our New York schools page.
Programs in other states that hold accreditation from one of the six regional accreditation agencies overseen by the US Department of Education may also be acceptable. New York will not issue a teacher certification to those who have not completed a program at an accredited school, so its best to confirm accreditation before making a decision.
Additionally, many schools seek accreditation from the national accreditation organization, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation . CAEP accreditation is not mandatory for schools, but due to its highly-regarded reputation for stringent standards, most schools apply for its official accreditation.
Finding New York Teaching Jobs
After youve achieved your new teacher certification, youll be ready to start finding New York teaching jobs. You can search for open teaching positions by region using the Online Application System for Educators . If youre interested in New York City opportunities, youll find open positions on the NYC school district website. Many school districts also maintain their own job websites.
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Criminal History Background Check
Before you are allowed to substitute teach in any New York school, you must be fingerprinted and go through a criminal history background check. Your fingerprints will be submitted through the FBI and the Division of Criminal Justice Services. You will be given the necessary forms and fingerprint cards when you apply for a substitute teacher position, as well as instructions on how to complete and submit them.
Getting Your Substitute Teacher License
Each state has its own rules and regulations about substitute teaching licenses, if applicable. Most states that issue substitute teaching licenses will offer different types that dictate how many days per school year the substitute teacher can work and what subjects they can teach. Generally speaking, substitute teachers must meet the following requirements to obtain a substitute teaching license:
- Earn a college degree, usually a bachelors degree
- Pass a criminal background check
- Complete an application and pay a fee
Additional requirements may include a minimum amount of teaching experience and meeting a minimum score on a basic skills test. This might be a state specific test or a general test, including an Advanced Placement exam, SAT or ACT college entrance exam. To learn more about your states specific requirements, please visit Magooshs States that Require Substitute Teacher Certification page or the National Education Associations Status of Substitute Teachers: A State-By-State Summary page.
Step 4
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Contact Schools Directly To Apply For Open Jobs
If your application is accepted, you will be eligible to apply for open jobs using the New Teacher Finder tool on the application website, applying to schools directly, or attending recruitment events. Schools in New York City make hiring decisions individually therefore, you will need to contact each school independently to apply for open jobs. Schools may also contact you and invite you to attend job fairs or interviews using the online portal system.
New York Teacher Shortage Areas & Job Outlook
Youre likely to increase your career opportunities if you prepare for a teaching position in one of New York states subject shortage areas These subject and grade level specialties have the highest needs for certified teachers, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education:
- Bilingual Education : all grades
- Career and Technical Education: all grades
- Special Education : elementary grades
- Special Education : middle/secondary grades
- Special Education : all grades
Overall, long-term projected job growth for NYS teachers is expected to average 4% through 2029, with an average of 8,500 openings annually.
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How To Become A Substitute Teacher In New York City
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There are lots of opportunities for earning short term money as a substitute for New York Public schools, but be prepared for a two-month process to earn the reward! In the 2015-2016 school year, subs get $162.86 per day, and all you need is a bachelor’s degree and to complete the requirements below.XResearch source