Polk County Public Schools

Substitute Information

Substitute Teachers

Steps to Become a Substitute Teacher in Polk County

(All applicants must be at least 18 years old and possess 30 semester hours of college credit from either a regionally accredited or Florida Department of Education recognized post secondary institution.)

Contact: Delya Forbes

1. Submit On-line Employment Application (all applicants)
2. Request official transcript to be mailed to (Transcripts must be received and verified prior to completion of Steps 3-11):

   
   Polk County School Board
   Office of Teacher Certification
   P.O. Box 391
   Bartow, Florida 33831
   
   NOTE: Former Polk County School Board Instructional Employees who hold valid Florida Professional Educator’s Certificates, will not be required to submit a transcript, but rather a copy of the most recent Florida certificate issued.

3. Pay fees On-Line after your transcripts are received by the district (you will be notified by e-mail). If you are eligible for a waiver:
   • See the On-Line Substitute Teacher Orientation/Training/Cost Chart
   • Contact Delya Forbes
4. Download, print and complete Employment Paperwork (New or returning employees after a twelve month break in service with the district.) Submit completed Employment Paperwork when you report for Fingerprinting and Drug Testing. Former Polk County School Board Instructional Employees will update Employment Paperwork at the orientation. (see Employment Paperwork section below)
5. Read Substitute Teacher Handbook. Sign verification and submit signed copy along with the other Employment Paperwork when you report for Fingerprint and Drug Test.
6. Contact Support Services within 48 business hours of the On-Line payment for an appointment for Fingerprinting and Drug Test. (863) 534-0414
7. Report for Fingerprinting and Drug Test on the date and time assigned by Support Services. (New or returning employees after a twelve month break in service with the district.)
8. When your transcript has been received and verified, your on-line employment application reviewed, references checked, fees paid, fingerprint and drug test clearance received, and employment paperwork is complete, applicants will receive an email with the access code to register for the on-line training program (if you do not hold a valid Florida Professional Certificate.) On an average, the on-line program takes five hours to complete; however, you may be a registrant in the system for up to one month from your initial registration. You may incur additional costs if you are unable to complete the training during this period.
9. Upon successful completion of the training program, applicants will receive an email with the date, time and location for orientation. Please bring this email with you to orientation.
10. Upon completion of the orientation, the applicant’s file will be given to the Personnel Assistant II in SEMS to be set up for payroll purposes.
11. You will receive written notification by e-mail when you are eligible to begin substituting. (E-mail within 24 to 48 hours)

Employment Paperwork

• Substitute Teacher Forms Check List
• Statement Concerning Your Employment in a Job Not Covered by Social Security
• Substitute Teacher Handbook
• Acknowledgement Statement (for reading handbook)
• I-9 Form - Employment Eligibility Verification
• Bring to Support Services 3 copies of Driver's License AND 3 copies of Social Security Card (and if applicable 3 copies of Permanent Resident Card)
• Important Notice: Oath of Loyalty (Form must be notarized)
• SEMS Classification/Profile
• SEMS School List
• Reference Form (Please print 2 forms; give a form to each of your references - references cannot be an immediate family member. Your references must mail the forms to the School Board.)
• On-Line Substitute Teacher Orientation/Training/Cost Chart

Substitute Paraeducators & Secretaries

Registration

Becoming a Substitute Paraeducator and Substitute Secretary

Thank you for your interest in becoming a substitute paraeducator and substitute secretary for the Polk County School District. To meet minimum qualifications, you must be at least 18 years old and have earned a High School Diploma or GED. You will be required to attend a 3 hour orientation and training and will need to be fingerprinted and drug tested. Each substitute paraeducator and substitute secretary will pay a non-refundable $90.00 up front fee to pay for the cost of fingerprints, drug testing and materials. Money orders and cashiers checks made out to the Polk County Schools will be the only form of payment accepted.

You must fill out an on-line application. To register for the orientation and training, please call (863) 534-0724. All completed paperwork and $90 money order or cashiers check made out to the Polk County Schools, must be submitted the first day of your scheduled orientation and training. Please review the Hiring Policy and the Drug Testing Policy that can be found on the Employment home page.

You will be mailed an approval letter within 3 weeks after the completion of all orientation, training and employment requirements.

Thank you for your interest in the students and schools of the Polk County School District.

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