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Substitute Teachers

Overview
Eligibility
Application Process
Internet Resources for Substitute Teachers
Benefits
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;
Successfully complete a screening interview with the Boston Public Schools Office of Human Resources; and
Complete the Boston Substitute Teacher Training Program and pass the online SubAssessment with a passing score of 85 or greater;
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.

To apply to become a substitute teacher, search for "Substitute Teacher - District Wide" in the Career Center and apply to that position.

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

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.
It takes an average of 30 minutes to complete each section, with a total of four sections.
Print a copy of your SubDiploma which shows a passing score of at least 85 and bring a copy to your screening interview.

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

Step 4. Upon successful completion of Steps 1-3, eligible applicants will be directed by the Office of Human Resources to complete the hiring process.

All information and completed forms must be returned to the Office of Human Resources either in person or via U.S. mail. Your contact information will be entered into the Substitute Employee Management System (BPS SubCentral). 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.

Internet Resources for Substitute Teachers

Benefits for Substitutes

As a substitute teacher, you are eligible to receive benefits according to very specific rules and the type of position you have been assigned.

Health Benefits

Health and dental benefits are available, after working an average of 20 hours a week for one month. Substitutes become eligible the first day of the following month and will have 60 days to complete all necessary paperwork to receive health benefits.

Boston Teachers Union

Substitute teachers who work 60 days or more in a given school year are considered bargaining union members of the BTU. The BTU is the exclusive bargaining unit that negotiates the collective bargaining agreement, enforces the agreement, and promotes the general welfare of its membership. BTU dues and agency fees will be automatically deducted from each paycheck.

Per Diem Substitutes

Per Diem substitute teachers are those teachers who work day-to-day assignments to fill positions on an interim basis.

Per Diem Annual Bonus: Per Diem substitute teachers are eligible to receive, subject to budgetary restrictions:

a $1,000 annual bonus after working more than 120 days by the end of June; or
a $1,500 annual bonus after working more than 150 days by the end of June

Retirement: Per-Diem Substitutes must contribute to the OBRA Retirement system.

Long-Term Substitutes

Long-Term substitute teachers are teachers who are assigned to fill a position anticipated to be vacant for more than 20 consecutive workdays but less than a full school year or teachers actually serving continuously for more than 20 consecutive workdays in the same assignment.

Compensation:

A long-term substitute teacher will receive a higher rate of pay after 10 consecutive workdays and again after 25 consecutive workdays.

Contract obligation:

A long-term substitute teacher shall be granted a provisional teacher contract on or before December 1st if the assignment in which he/she is serving becomes vacant for the remainder of the school year.

Sick Days:

one sick day for every 20 days worked. Sick time is cumulative from year to year provided that the substitute remains a BTU member, and sick time shall carry over upon becoming teachers or paraprofessionals.

Professional Development:

The substitute teacher will also be eligible for Professional Development Opportunities. However, the teacher is required to attend the eighteen hours of professional development required of all teachers. This time is scheduled beyond the school day and compensated accordingly.

Cluster Substitute

Cluster substitute teachers are those teachers who are assigned to one of the nine Cluster Offices in the BPS for a full year, rotating among schools within the Cluster. Daily assignments to specific schools are made by the responsible Cluster Leader. The Cluster substitute is paid at a higher rate than per diem substitutes.

Health Benefits: Health and dental benefits are available.

Sick Days: one sick day for every 20 days worked. Sick time is cumulative from year to year provided that the substitute remains a BTU member, and sick time shall carry over upon becoming teachers or paraprofessionals.

Health and Welfare Benefits: Cluster substitutes shall be included in the Paraprofessional Health and Welfare Fund benefit for dental insurance, eye care and legal services.

Professional Development: able to participate in professional days sponsored by the school and shall be compensated accordingly. The substitute teacher will also be required to attend the eighteen hours of professional development required of teachers. This time is scheduled beyond the school day and compensated accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

If I have been an active substitute teach during the last year for BPS, do I need to do anything differently?
No. If you are a current and active substitute teacher, you do not need to re-apply.
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 over the course of the previous school year are automatically terminated. You will need to re-apply following the process described above.
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.
How long does the training take?
Between 6-13 hours
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.
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.
What is the passing score for the test?
85 or better.
How long does the test take?
The test will take anywhere from 30-40 minutes.
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.
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.
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.
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.