Substitute Teaching

The Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) maintains a centralized substitute teacher database and individuals interested in substitute teaching in Sonoma County must register at SCOE. Applicants must hold a current, valid teaching credential or obtain an Emergency 30-Day Substitute Permit to become a substitute teacher. Apply for your substitute permit through the SCOE credentialing office only.

Substitute orientations are held at SCOE to explain the permit process and other requirements for substitute teaching in Sonoma County. Attendance at a substitute orientation is mandatory for individuals seeking substitute teaching positions. Please call (707) 524-2681 for session dates and times or to make an appointment to attend. You will receive an application packet at the orientation session.

Resources for Substitutes

Adding districts
If you want to work for a district that you did not initially sign up with, you must contact the district, then the district needs to request a Notice of Employment (NOE) from the SCOE Credentials Office. The Credentials Office must receive a written request from the district for your NOE. You will not be paid by the district until the district receives your NOE from the Credentials Office.

Bloodborne pathogens training
To ensure that all substitute teachers are properly informed about bloodborne pathogens, the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) offers a training video and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit to all substitutes registered through SCOE. This training is provided during the mandatory substitute orientation sessions (call 524-2681 to register). PPE kits may be obtained when you submit your substitute paperwork.

Reference materials and forms
The following documents are available as PDFs.
Applicant Disclosure of Misconduct
Bloodborne Pathogens
Child Abuse and Reporting Act
Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, State Form DE 4
Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, Federal W-4 Form
Public School Districts in Sonoma County
Substitute Teacher Job Description

Issued or renewed credentials and permits
When you receive or renew your credential or substitute permit via email, please make sure that SCOE’s Credentials Office receives a copy. In addition, you must submit a copy of your credential to the districts that you are working for.

Substitute teacher workshop
The North Coast Beginning Teacher Program offers a Substitute Teacher Training workshop. This class is offered several times per year in Santa Rosa. It is designed to give substitute teachers useful information about classroom management techniques, teaching strategies, fill-in activities, and more. Each participant receives a substitute teacher handbook. For more information and to register, see this Class List and locate the Substitute Teacher Training Opportunity classes.

Web-based resources for substitutes from STEDI
The Substitute Teaching Division of STEDI (formerly the Substitute Teaching Institute at Utah State University) provides a monthly eNewsletter of information, tips, hints, news, and resources for substitute teachers. You can sign up for this free resource by going to the STEDI website, www.stedi.org. The STEDI website also provides resource links for substitutes (SubLinks) and offers a Substitute Teacher Handbook for purchase.