For individuals aspiring to contribute to education in West Virginia, substitute teaching offers a valuable entry point. Interestingly, possessing a diverse academic background, such as an English Major Is An Excellent Tool For Stem Career Preparation, can surprisingly pave the way for a fulfilling career in various fields, including education. While seemingly unrelated, the analytical and communication skills honed through an English major are highly transferable and beneficial in numerous professional contexts. In West Virginia, the process to become a substitute teacher is structured and offers several permit options depending on qualifications and desired commitment. This guide outlines the different types of substitute teaching permits available in West Virginia, detailing the minimum criteria for each, to help you navigate your path into the classroom.
Understanding West Virginia Substitute Teaching Permit Options
The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) provides various substitute teaching permits to accommodate different levels of qualification and commitment. These permits range from short-term to long-term options and even specialized permits for areas like nursing and Career Technical Education (CTE). Each permit has specific requirements that applicants must meet to be eligible to teach in West Virginia schools.
Restricted Short-Term Substitute Permit
This permit is designed for individuals who may have an associate’s degree or equivalent college coursework and are interested in short-term substitute assignments. The minimum criteria for a Restricted Short-Term Substitute Teaching Permit include:
- An associate’s degree or a minimum of 60 semester credit hours or 90 quarter hours from an accredited institution.
- A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0.
- Completion of county-authorized initial substitute teacher training.
- Candidates must be at least 21 years of age.
- Coursework should demonstrate competency in core areas such as English, reading, writing, and mathematics. Acceptable courses include communications, social sciences, humanities, fine arts, analytical and inferential reasoning, and computational skills. These hours must be documented on an official transcript.
Holders of a Restricted Short-Term permit can substitute teach in the same classroom for up to 10 consecutive days at any grade level. This permit is valid for one year and expires at the end of each school year, requiring renewal for continued short-term substituting.
Short-Term Substitute Teaching Permit
The Short-Term Substitute Teaching Permit allows for more extended short-term assignments compared to the Restricted Short-Term permit. Individuals holding this permit can substitute teach in the same classroom for up to 30 days at any grade level.
- Similar to the Restricted Short-Term permit, individuals with a Short-Term Substitute permit can substitute teach throughout the school year, provided they do not exceed 30 consecutive days in the same classroom.
Short-Term Substitute permits are valid for 3 years, offering more stability for those regularly engaged in substitute teaching roles.
Long Term Substitute Teaching Permit
For those seeking to fill longer vacancies, the Long-Term Substitute Teaching Permit is the appropriate option. This permit allows an individual to substitute teach within a specific subject area and grade level for more than 30 consecutive days in the same classroom. Applicants must meet additional coursework criteria related to the subject they intend to teach.
- Applicants must have at least 12 semester hours of credit with a grade of C or higher in the specific subject area. This coursework must be demonstrated on their college transcripts.
- For elementary education endorsements, the 12 semester hours must include at least one college-level mathematics course and a combination of core content coursework in English, science, and social studies. A course related to child development, early learning, or reading and writing can be substituted for a core content course other than mathematics.
Long-Term Substitute permits are valid for 3 years, aligning with the Short-Term permit validity period.
Substitute Permits for Nursing
For substituting in school nursing roles, West Virginia offers a specialized Substitute Teaching Permit for Nursing. The minimum criteria include:
- A Nursing Diploma or Associate Degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
- A valid Registered Nursing license issued by the West Virginia Board of Examiners.
- Completion of 12 hours of initial substitute teacher training specific to school nursing.
- Completion of 6 hours of clinical time with a certified school nurse who is a registered nurse.
Nursing substitute permits are valid for 3 years, reflecting the standard validity for specialized substitute permits.
Substitute Teaching in Areas of CTE
Substitute teaching opportunities also exist within Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. Eligibility for a Substitute CTE Permit involves contacting local school districts for specific requirements, as these may vary. However, state-minimum eligibility criteria generally include:
- Being at least 18 years of age, of good character, and physically, mentally, and emotionally qualified.
- Meeting an identified education level, such as a high school diploma or GED.
- Holding industry credentials relevant to the CTE endorsement area.
- Meeting specific wage-earning experience requirements in the relevant industry.
Candidates for CTE substitute permits typically require a recommendation from their employer and must complete initial substitute teacher training. Specific endorsement requirements can be found in the CTE Endorsements and Testing Manual.
Next Steps to Becoming a Substitute Teacher in West Virginia
To begin your journey as a substitute teacher in West Virginia, follow these steps:
- Contact the Human Resources Office: Reach out to the human resources office of the county school district where you wish to substitute teach. Inquire about employment opportunities, county-authorized training, and specific requirements for becoming a substitute teacher in that district.
- Complete Initial Substitute Teacher Training: School districts may require applicants to complete the WVDE-provided eLearning initial substitute teacher training course online. Information about registration can be found at Teacher Professional Learning.
- Review WVDE Policies: For comprehensive details on licensure requirements, refer to West Virginia Board of Education Policy 5202, accessible at http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/.
- Explore Licensure Pathways: For further information on licensure pathways, visit Recruitment and Licensure Pathways.
By understanding the different permit types and requirements, and by taking proactive steps to contact local districts and complete necessary training, you can successfully navigate the process of becoming a substitute teacher in West Virginia and contribute meaningfully to the state’s education system.
