Substitute teacher applicants who DO NOT currently hold a Kentucky teaching certificate will need to create an account on KECS PLEASE NOTE: This process cannot be completed until you have applied to be a Sub Teacher with the Board of Education, received notification of hire, submitted all required paperwork, had background checks done at the Board of Education, and completed the online training. Once all of these requirements have been completed, the CA-4 application will be submitted to the Ky Department of Education and you will receive an email from them asking you to complete your CA-4 application. You MUST have an active e-mail address to apply for this position.
- You WILL be required to present an official transcript (or have one on file with the district) showing at least 64 acceptable university semester credit hours with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA to apply for this position.
- This is a two-phase process - you must apply with your district AND you must complete your one-year Emergency Substitute Certificate once we start the application. This will need to be done every school year.
Go to and create an account. We will start the application, then you will receive an email to complete your emergency substitute teaching certificate. You will go to your account that you created to complete it. WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER?Before you enter the classroom:
- Arrive early.
- Report to the school office and find out about how to report absences, tardies, determine if any students have medical or other special needs, review school maps, pick up keys, and any other pertinent information.
- Meet other teachers, especially those in the rooms around yours, and obtain advice or information from them.
Before students arrive:
- Write your name on the board.
- Review the classroom behavior standards. Locate and read through the lesson plans and seating charts left by the classroom teacher.
- Locate the books, papers, and materials you will need throughout the day.
- Have students' work prepared for students to begin immediately when they enter the room.
- Stand at the door and be prepared to greet students when they enter.
During the day:
- Have the students call you by your proper name (Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms.).
- Introduce yourself briefly.
- FOLLOW THE LESSON PLANS.
- Use a positive approach and be flexible, as schedules may change.
- Ask questions of other teachers and of responsible students. Do not hesitate to ask for help.
- Constantly move about the classroom to assist students at their desk on an as-needed basis.
- Improvise using the material in your Substitute Teacher Pack to fill extra time or enhance activities.
- Be positive and respectful in your interaction with students and school personnel.
- Don't feel threatened when administrators visit your classroom.
- Attach all referral slips (to the office, nurse, etc.) to your note to the teacher.
- Do more than required. Grade work when possible. Teachers appreciate it when simple grading is completed. If the key was left behind, that may be your clue. Grade any objective or simple type assignments in the free time you have. Leave complicated short answers, essays or open responses for the classroom teacher to grade.
At the end of class or the end of the day:
- Review the major learning concepts studied during that class/day.
- Remind students of homework assignments.
- Have students pick up papers and help straighten the room.
- Leave detailed notes for the classroom teacher on the work accomplished and any significant events, including discipline issues and positive comments, or occurrences during the day.
- Organize and label the students' work.
- If you were unable to complete the lesson, leave a note for the teacher indicating how much you were able to cover.
- Make sure that all classroom materials are accounted for.
- When you are ready to leave for the day, be sure the room is left in better order than you found it. Close the windows and lock the door, if applicable.
- Turn any keys in to the office and check to see if you are needed the next day.
- Be sure to thank those in the office for the opportunity to substitute in the school.