Many school districts are now requiring that students who are performing field experiences in their schools present a valid substitute teaching certificate before they can begin their field work.  The College of Education, therefore, is strongly encouraging ALL education students to obtain a substitute certificate.  If you have not already applied for a substitute certificate with your local school district, we know that you will be interested in this Substitute Teacher Certification Workshop.

 §        Where do you start? 

The Teaching Performance Center at Kean University is offering all students at Kean University a 45-minute, free program during which all necessary paperwork for substitute certification will be completed and notarized.  A handbook will also be distributed with valuable information about preparing to substitute teach, working with school-age children ,classroom management and school district requirement. You will have the opportunity to gain valuable information about the substituting process.

§        What is required to obtain county substitute certification?

 A minimum of 60 college credits, no felony convictions, and a negative Mantoux (TB) test.  Start up costs include fees of $150 to obtain county substitute certification, $78 for a criminal background check and $10 for an official copy of your college transcript.   If you substitute just a few days, you can earn back your initial investment. (Fees subject to change)

  Frequently Asked Questions About Substitute Teaching

FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW TO REGISTER AND ATTEND THIS VALUABLE WORKSHOP

STEP ONE - BEFORE THE WORKSHOP:

Complete the Student Response Form and return it to the Teaching Performance Center (W110) on or before December 2, 2009.  You must preregister to attend this workshop. 

STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO THE WORKSHOP IF THEY DO NOT PRE-REGISTER.

 STEP TWO - AT THE WORKSHOP:

You must report in person on Monday, December 7, 2009 to CAS 118-119 at the time you indicated on the response form in order to complete your application for county substitute certification and to receive further information about substitute teaching.

Please bring the following items with you:

1.   One (1) form of identification (driver’s license and Kean University I.D. or other photo I.D.)

2.   $10.00 check or money order, made payable to Kean University, to obtain a copy of your transcript.  Cash will not be accepted.

3.   The complete address (including street number, street name, city and zip code) of the school district in which you will be applying to substitute teach (to complete the request for transcript), or you can chose to have an official copy  of your transcript sent to your home address.

4.   A pen with black ink.

5.  Substitute Teaching Handbooks will be available for sale at the workshop for a price of $20.  If you wish to purchase one, please bring a check or money order for $20 made payable to Kean University.

STEP THREE - AFTER THE WORKSHOP:

You will leave the workshop on December 7, 2009 with all the paperwork completed to apply for New Jersey substitute certification.  You will then need to apply for employment as a substitute teacher in the school district of your choice. The documentation you completed at the workshop, as well as additional documentation and fees, will need to be brought to the personnel or human resources department of that school district.  There you will also receive further documentation and information for your fingerprinting and criminal background history check.  (Fingerprinting for the criminal history background check can no longer be performed by municipal police.  A designated company is now performing live scan fingerprinting for the State.) 

 Please use the following checklist to make sure you have ALL of the required documentation with you when you go to the school district personnel/human resource department to apply for substitute teaching:

 ____    Completed Substitute Certification Application

____    Completed & notarized Oath of Allegiance

____    Completed & notarized Application & Authorization for Criminal History Background Check

____    One (1) certified check or money order for $175 payable to the Commissioner of Education (for county certification)*

____    Results of your Mantoux (Tuberculin) Test

____    Copy of your current resume; names, addresses, phone number of references (to complete the substitute teacher employment application)

 Once all documentation is received by the school district, it will be forwarded to the county office of education. The county office will process the information and issue a county substitute certificate directly to you in approximately six to eight weeks.

*Fees subject to change.