Types of substitute teacher training and development.

Do you have what it takes to become a substitute teacher? Looking to take your substitute teaching skills to the next level? The most successful substitute teachers embrace training and professional development. 

At Kelly Education, we hire and place thousands of substitute teachers in classrooms across the country every year. We can confidently say that you don’t have to know everything about the substitute teaching job when you apply to become a substitute teacher. 

New substitute teachers get training at key intervals.

A substitute teacher’s willingness to become trained and continue learning is critical. As with most jobs, most substitute teachers start out by learning the fundamentals and grow their skills over time. 

From certification to pre-hire training to continuing education, let’s look at the progression of training and development for this important role in schools. 

State-mandated training.

Some states mandate pre-hire training as part of the application process to become a substitute teacher or obtain a substitute teacher certification. For example, Missouri requires 20 hours of department-approved online training to obtain a substitute teacher certification. Wisconsin also requires candidates to complete a substitute teacher training program to secure a substitute license. 

Other states, like Vermont and Georgia, require child abuse reporting training. In Florida, you’re required to take instructional strategies and classroom management training. 

PRO TIP: Check out How to become a substitute teacher in your state for your substitute teacher minimum state requirements or details about substitute teacher certification when applying for substitute teacher jobs. 

Pre-hire training and onboarding.

No matter what a state requires, if you work for Kelly Education, we also require all substitute teacher applicants to complete an online pre-hire substitute teacher training course to set them up for success. Our proprietary ClassSmarts training helps candidates determine if they have the right skillset for the job. Example content includes: 

• Classroom management 

• Following lesson plans 

• Classroom instruction techniques  

• Applying a student-centered approach 

• Following laws and policies 

• Being flexible and adjusting to various assignments 

• Fostering a safe and healthy learning environment 

• Safety and emergency preparation 

Note that we require all our substitute teaching candidates to complete this 90-minute online ClassSmarts training module. Even if you’re already a skilled educator, you might pick up a new trick or two. 

Continuing professional development.

Professional development is a great way to grow in your role. Schools (and Kelly Education) frequently offer courses focused on the following: 

• Specific subject skills training (i.e., elementary math, English) 

• Dealing with current issues (i.e., bullying) 

• Curriculum development 

• Classroom management and behavior modification techniques 

• General teaching skills 

• Paraeducator development 

• Adhering to and understanding pertinent laws and regulations (i.e., Meghan’s Law) 

This training is often free or low-cost to the educator. It’s worth your time to build your resume, hone your skills, and remain current on trends and regulations. Investing in your training and development shows potential employers that you’re dedicated to the profession and giving it your all. 

Kelly Education professional development.

Kelly Education is dedicated to supporting substitute teachers in career growth and development. One way we do that is by offering several ongoing webinars to our educators. They can register through our myKelly website. A few topics to choose from include: 

• Special Education. We have a variety of webinars focused on special education, including “Working with Students with Disabilities” and “Working As a One-to-One Paraeducator.” This training is designed to equip substitute teachers and paraeducators with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively work with the diverse student needs and abilities that exist in all classrooms.  

• Classroom Management. We offer webinars focused on classroom management and student behavior, including “Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Overview for Substitute Teachers,” “Responding to Student Behaviors Webinar,” and “Communication Essentials for Substitute Teachers.” 

• New Substitute. Our new substitute webinars are designed to instill confidence and inspire first-time substitute teachers. Learn what to expect, how to ensure the day runs smoothly, and how to handle potential challenges. For example, tips on what to do if there isn’t a lesson plan provided are discussed. 

Grow your career with Kelly Education.

If you’re looking for other ways to improve your practice, check out our library of articles including: Tips for teaching: Instructional strategies for substitute teachers, Classroom management for substitute teachers, and How to introduce yourself as a substitute teacher. 

Now that you know more about what it takes to become a substitute teacher or grow in the role, consider joining our team! Fill out our brief interest form and one of our recruiters will contact you to answer your questions. We’ll also share more about opportunities to become a substitute teacher with one of our school district partners. 

I’m interested