(no subject)

[my_window_seat]

Query to the General Public, though I'm guessing that hillbillie, you'll be the best informed on this topic:

Where can I go to get the specifics for qualifications to substitute teach in California? Do they vary by city/county/district/region? Anything else I should know? (Like "anything" is probably a good start..)

I have a headache. I'm just sayin'.

Comments

[sinaesthesia.livejournal.com]

I believe they vary by district, why don't you call the distrcits you'd be interested in and ask them what they require? Then prepare for the politics. *yuck*

[davidkevin.livejournal.com]

California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov/

You should be able to find the information you need somewhere on this site.

Do they vary by city/county/district/region

[hillbillie.livejournal.com]

Yes. And no.
Actually, what varies most is the pay scale.

For sure you will need:

A BA or BS degree.
A full credential is nice too, but if you had a credential, then why would you bother with mere subbing?
:P

A TB test not more than four years old, and proof thereof.
(Hm. That reminds me: I need to get mine renewed)

A passing score on the CBEST, and proof thereof.
This is not a terribly hard test, and you only need to take it once, but at four hours it is gruelling.

Your fingerprints done. This is done through the district office usually, who will then refer you to the sherriff's office. It costs something like $60-$100, but you only have to do it once, for most districts.

I think that's it.

Anyways, you take this pile of documents in to the local school district, and either you will apply for a substitute teaching credential directly through them, or they will tell you where you need to send [yes, more] money to do it.

Once you have the above things done--except the "emergency-substitute-teaching" credential doesn't have to be in your hand; the receipt and application for it are usually enough--then you bring that stack of receipts and certificates and cards and diplomas and so forth to whatever district you choose to harrass, and they will in turn either tell you that yes they are desperate for subs, and will help you every step of the way, or
they will say there is a waiting list. If the latter, just go elsewhere. There are plenty of the former type to be found, in fact they are the norm around here.

So...why? You thinkn=ing of relocating?

Re: Do they vary by city/county/district/region

[my-window-seat.livejournal.com]

Hum. Well, that's not as bad as I suppose it could be. And yes, I've been planning on relocating for quite some time now. Not until I finish my stupid degree here - and that's still a good year and a half or so. But the teaching credential would add another TWO YEARS after that - and that would be the cred for New Mexico, where I don't intend to stay, anyway, so why not relocate, sub and get the teaching cred where I plan to teach, anyway?

I'm just trying to figure out what all my options are at this point. I'm still debating on the Teach for America gig as well. That would be another two year commitment, but it would, as I understand it, end in the Almight Cred - it would just depend on getting placed where I want to be. They supposedly have a 98% placement rate where the applicant chooses, but it's still chancy. And it's still a two year commitment.

Bah. I'm just getting more than a little burnt out with school, and VERY impatient with being where I am as opposed to where I WANT to be.

And again, trying to figure out what all my options are.

Bah.

[hillbillie.livejournal.com]

What part of California would yo be interested in?

[my-window-seat.livejournal.com]

Northern. Not sure exactly where, but probably Bay Area-ish.

Northern

[hillbillie.livejournal.com]

Good choice.
As opposed to Southern, that is.

I'd recommend the norhtern northern though, like up above Tahoe. Up in the "Villes" as I call it (for my reason, just check the city names on a map. You might get a giggle out of it.)