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.

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. We have limited seating, so please call (707) 524-2794 or (707) 524-2987 for session dates and times or to make an appointment to attend. Application packets will only be available at the orientation session.

2012-13 Timelines

Substitute orientations
Substitute orientations for the 2012-13 school year will be in July, August, September, January, and February. These sessions are open by appointment only.

Acceptance of substitute applications
During the 2012-13 school year, substitute application packets will be accepted by appointment only in July, August, September 1 to October 3, and January 1 to February 28. Please note that February 28 is the last day to submit a substitute application packet until July 1, 2013.

The sessions for this school year have ended. Please contact us in July to sign up for a substitute orientation session or to submit a substitute application packet.

Overview of Requirements

• A valid credential (teaching, pupil services, administrative) or Emergency 30-Day Substitute Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) is required to substitute in Sonoma County. For information about obtaining or renewing these credentialing documents, visit www.ctc.ca.gov.
• If you don’t already hold a valid credential or permit but are eligible for a 30-day sub permit (that is, if you have a BA or higher and have passed a California basic skills test such as CBEST or CSET with the writing portion), we will explain how to obtain a permit at the substitute orientation. You will need official transcripts to apply to the CTC for a sub permit.
• New substitutes who do not have previous classroom teaching experience must complete the STEDI online substitute training course, SubSkills ($39.95), with a minimum passage rate of 85% on the SubAssessment test prior to submitting a completed substitute application packet. Experienced teachers and student teachers are exempt.
• All other requirements will be discussed at the substitute orientation.

Resources for Substitutes

Adding districts
If you want to work for a new district, you must contact that district directly.

Applying to substitute in SCOE classrooms
SCOE offers classroom instruction to students through the Alternative Education and Special Education programs. After attending a substitute orientation session (see above), individuals interested in substitute teaching in SCOE classrooms should complete a formal application for the position, including all items listed below.

1. An online application submitted via the EdJoin website
2. A letter describing personal qualifications and reasons for interest in this position
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. A copy of appropriate credential(s)
5. A résumé

Note that applicants submitting incomplete applications will not be considered.

New substitutes who do not have previous classroom teaching experience must complete the STEDI online substitute training course with a minimum passage rate of 85% prior to submitting a completed substitute application packet. Experienced teachers and student teachers are exempt. All applicants must be cleared and registered as substitute teachers with SCOE’s 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.

Substitute training and resources from STEDI
A substitute training is offered by STEDI (formerly the Substitute Teaching Institute at Utah State University). This training, SubSkills, is required for new substitute teachers without classroom experience and is an excellent tool for veteran teachers. The STEDI website is www.stedi.org.

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
Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification
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 from CTC, please make sure that you submit a copy of your credential to the districts that you are working for.