Substitute Teaching

Thank you for your interest in substitute teaching at the Boston Public Schools! Substitute teachers play a very important role in educating our children, and we are looking for committed professionals to contribute to our focus on children by substitute teaching in our schools.

• Overview
• Eligibility
• Application Process
• Application Selection Process and Screening Interview
• Daily Salary Information
• Benefits
• Internet Resources for Substitute Teachers
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Contact Us

Overview
If you are interested in becoming a teacher in the Boston Public Schools, working as a substitute teacher is a great way to sharpen your teaching skills while getting to know our schools as well as the principals and teachers in our school district. Substitute teaching can lead to professional teaching positions, if you hold a valid Massachusetts teaching license.

Eligibility
All new candidates interested in substitute teaching in the Boston Public Schools must meet the following requirements:

• Must possess a minimum of an undergraduate college/university degree;
• Complete the Boston Substitute Teacher Training Program and pass the online SubAssessment with a passing score of 85 or greater;
• Complete an online TeacherInsight interview;
• Successfully complete a screening interview with the Boston Public Schools Office of Human Resources; and
• Pass a Criminal Record Check.

Application Process
The following steps should be completed (in order) by candidates wishing to substitute teach in the Boston Public Schools.

Step 1. Apply on-line to become a Substitute Teacher through the BPS Career Center.

After you have successfully completed the Boston Substitute Teacher Training Program and passed the SubAssessment as indicated in Step 1, you should apply for a substitute teacher position on the BPS Career Center.

To apply to become a substitute teacher, search for the Substitute Teacher posting in the BPS Career Center and apply for that position. Additional steps will require you to create an online profile and upload your resume.

Step 2. The Office of Human Resources will call you to schedule a Screening Interview.

After you have completed your online application and interview, the Office of Human Resources will review completed applications and contact those candidates who meet the specific subject area needs of the school district. Remember, only those applicants who have passed the SubAssessment will be considered for a Screening Interview.

During the Screening Interview, candidates are asked general questions about substitute teaching and real-life sclassroom scenarios.

Successful candidates will be recommended for the substitute pool and their contact information will be entered into the Substitute Employee Management System (SEMS). Please remember that substitute teaching assignments are subject to availability and no one is guaranteed an assignment, even after the application selection process is complete.

Remember, only those applicants who have passed the SubAssessment will be considered for a Screening Interview.

Step 3. Complete the Boston Substitute Teacher Training Program, including the online SubAssessment.

The Boston Substitute Teacher Training Program was designed by the Substitute Teaching Institute (STI) at Utah State University.

The cost of this program is payable online by credit card, check or money order, and includes 6-13 hours of interactive SubInstructor training (included as a CD), a Substitute Teacher Handbook, and the online SubAssessment and a SubDiploma.

The interactive SubInstructor training is provided online or you may complete the training via the SubInstructor CD that is provided with your Substitute Teacher Handbook.

The SubAssessment may only be taken over the Internet. Candidates may take the SubAssessment a maximum of four times, to obtain a passing score of at least 85. This test takes roughly 30-40 minutes to complete. You should print a copy of your SubDiploma which shows a passing score of at least 85 and bring a copy to your screening interview.

For those candidates who do not have a computer or access to a computer at the local library, computers are available for use in the Office of Human Resources, located on the 3rd floor at 26 Court Street, Boston, MA. These computers are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information and to be redirected to the Boston Substitute Teacher Training Program visit: http://sti.usu.edu/rlogin?dist_org=boston

Step 4. Upon successful completion of Steps 1-4, eligible applicants will be directed by the Office of Human Resources to complete the hiring process.

If you are recommended by the Office of Human Resources to become a Substitute Teacher in the Boston Public Schools, the following forms will be provided to you by the Office of Human Resources. These forms must be completed and submitted as part of the hiring process.

• Criminal History Record Check (CORI)
• Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9)
• Income Tax Forms (W4, M4)
• Retirement Forms
• Substitute Teacher profile for Boston Public Schools' Automated Calling System
• Official Copy of your Undergraduate Transcript

All information and completed forms must be returned to the Office of Human Resources either in person or via U.S. mail.

Daily Salary Information

Please see The BTU Website for the latest salary information.

Note: Long-term and Cluster Substitutes are required to participate in professional development days along with regular teachers and will be compensated as such.

* Cluster Substitutes are assigned to one of the nine Cluster Offices in the Boston Public Schools system for a full year. Daily assignments to specific schools will be made by the responsible Cluster Leader.

✝A new salary schedule will be posted as soon as the new BTU contract is ratified.

Benefits

• Health and Welfare Benefits - Cluster substitutes are included in the Boston Teachers Union/Paraprofessional Health and Welfare Fund, which provide dental insurance, eye care and legal services.
• Health Insurance - Cluster substitutes, long-term substitutes and per diem substitutes who consistently work three days a week are eligible for health care coverage through the City of Boston. Eligible substitute teachers may sign up, within 60 days of hire, at the Health Benefits and Insurance Division at Boston City Hall, Room 807, Boston, MA 02201.
• Sick Time Accrual - Long-term and Cluster Substitute teachers accumulate one sick day for every twenty days worked. Sick time is cumulative from year to year provided that the substitute teacher remains a Boston Teachers Union bargaining unit member. Sick time shall carry over upon becoming teachers or paraprofessionals. Per Diem substitutes do not accrue sick time.

Internet Resources for Substitute Teachers

• Boston Public School profiles, directions, and calendars
• Substitute Teaching Institute at Utah State University
• Online application for teacher licensure
• Boston Teachers Union
• Boston Public Schools SubCentral
• SubCentral Profile Form

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. If I have been an active substitute teach during the last year for BPS, do I need to do anything differently?
   No, you are all set. If you are a current substitute teacher, you do not need to re-apply.
2. If I have been a substitute teacher in the BPS previously but have not been active during the past year, do I need to re-apply?
   Yes, substitute teachers who have not been active (e.g. have not worked as a substitute teacher) are automatically terminated from the SEMS system approximately every six to nine months. If you have been terminated from the SEMS system, you will need to re-apply following the process described above.
3. If I am a retired teacher in the Boston Public Schools do I need to take the training and test?
   Yes. Everyone must take the test and interview with BPS.
4. How long does the training take?
   Between 6-13 hours
5. How quickly can I start the program?
   Once you register and pay the fees, you will be able to start the training online or you can wait until you receive the training CD and workbook in the mail.
6. Can I take the test without taking the training?
   If you feel confident that you have the knowledge required to pass the test, you could take the test without taking the training. However, we would not advise it. You only have 4 chances to take the test and the test is designed around lessons learned from the training. In addition, you will still need to pay $29.95 for the entire substitute training program which includes the test. The test is not sold separately.
7. What is the passing score for the test?
   85 or better.
8. How long does the test take?
   The test will take anywhere from 30-40 minutes.
9. If I am an existing substitute teacher, can I still sign up for training?
   Yes, you can still sign up for training, but please be aware that it is at your expense.
10. If I become a substitute teacher and later I am hired as a regular teacher, can I get reimbursed for the training costs?
    No. Even if you later become a regular teacher, you will not be reimbursed for the training costs.
11. When I click on the URL link http://sti.usu.edu/rlogin?dist_org=boston an error message page appears.
    First, try to copy and paste the above address into the address bar of your browser. Sometimes older versions of browser software or your system's settings are not set up to automatically load the page when you click on a link. If you continue to have difficulty, please contact the Help Line for Utah State 1-800-922-4693.
12. What is BPS SubCentral?
    BPS SubCentral is our new web-based Substitute Assignment System. This does not replace our telephone assignment system but instead is an added feature. You can now search for assignments by logging into BPS SubCentral. To learn more, see the SubCentral Page.

Contact Us

For any additional questions regarding substitute teaching in the Boston Public Schools, contact the Substitute Teacher Staff at (617) 635-9380.