What Are The Requirements To Be A Substitute Teacher In Texas?

Get our free mobile app

The new school year is well underway for most East Texas school districts and teachers and students are getting back into the routine of the bell schedule and soon they'll all be wondering when the first holiday break will be here. It's just a fact of life of being a student and teacher.

Teaching is a rewarding job but it can be hard and stressful at the same time. Teachers often spend more time with their students than the parents of their students do. So I say a huge THANK YOU to all of our East Texas teachers.

Teachers are like any other person, they get sick, they have doctors' appointments, they are called in for jury duty, they have babies and they have other reasons why they must take the day off, and when they're off they need someone to fill in for them. Enter the substitute teacher.

What does it take to be a substitute teacher in Texas?

According to the Texas Education Agency (TEA), substitute teacher applicants are required to have at least 60 college hours or a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, but that isn't always the case with all school districts. Some districts only require a high school diploma to be a substitute teacher. All districts are looking for good successful substitute teachers. Those that are great at:

• building relationships
• flexible and adaptable schedule
• manage a classroom
• passionate
• positive
• professional

Over the past few years there seems to be constantly be a shortage of substitute teachers and while there are people willing to step up, some, don't have or meet the requirements so some school districts have removed certain requirements to be a substitute. If you would like to become a substitute teacher contact your local school district and ask about the requirements. Here are some basic things that East Texas school districts may require.