Guest Teacher Program: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. If I have an emergency permit from another school district or intermediate unit, can I use it to substitute for the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 and participating school districts/entities?
A1. No, that permit is only valid for the school district or intermediate unit applying for it.
Q2. What are the costs involved?
A2. There is no fee for Schuylkill County residents who attend the Guest Teacher Training Program. There is a $50 participation fee for out-of-county residents. Both in-county and out-of-county residents are responsible for all other costs associated with the training program. Those costs include:
· a $5.00 processing fee made payable to Schuylkill IU 29. Due at initial and recertification
· completion of the Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Check (Act 34)
· completion of the Child Abuse Clearance Record Check (Act 151)
· completion of the FBI Background Check (Act 114 Section 111)
§ Must be through the PA Department of Education
· completion of the Act 126 training
· a current physical examination which shall be administered within six (6) months prior to the date the school receives the form. A physician fee may apply to complete the School Personnel Health Record. As per Pennsylvania School Code, the tuberculin skin test shall be administered within three (3) months prior to the date the school receives the form.
§ School Personnel Health Record
· obtaining a physician signature on Section III of PDE Form 338G (A physician fee may apply.)
§ PDE 338G
§ DO NOT MAIL THIS FORM TO PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
· obtaining an official bachelor’s degree transcript in a sealed envelope from an accredited college/university.
Q3. Where do I obtain the necessary clearances?
A3. Clearances can be accessed by clicking the links below.
All Clearances are required and must be less than on year old at the time of the training.
· Act 34 Clearance (PA Criminal Background Check) – If applying online, please be sure to click the "certification form" link and print the certificate
· Act 151 Clearance (PA Child Abuse) - Original certificate must be presented.
· Act 114 Clearance (Federal Fingerprinting) - You must obtain an FBI Clearance under the DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (PDE).
NO other FBI Clearance will be accepted.
DO NOT click the "PA Department of Aging, Banking, Public Welfare or Transportation”. You must present the registration ID (which starts with PAE) to the IU.
· Arrest or Conviction Report (Arrest/Conviction Report)
Q4. What happens if my clearances do not say “proof of no incidents”?
A4. The superintendents have indicated that Guest Teacher candidates must show “proof of no incidents” on all required clearances. If any of your clearances are not clear, Schuylkill IU 29 will not process your request for an emergency permit. You will receive written notification from the Curriculum Services office and your paperwork will be returned.
Q5. Can I apply for my Emergency Permit before I go through the training?
A5. No, Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 applies for the emergency permit and participating school districts/entities have agreed all candidates must attend all training days in full prior to the start of the application process.
Q6. Can I send for my Emergency Permit myself?
A6. No, individuals may not apply for their own permit. Emergency Permit applications are processed through Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29.
Q7. If my bachelor’s degree is almost completed, can I go through the training now?
A7. Yes, you may go through the training. However, Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 may not apply for an emergency permit until a bachelor’s degree has been conferred and an official transcript has been submitted to the Curriculum Services office.
Q8. May I use the transcript of my master’s degree to send for a permit?
A8. No, the Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation (Pennsylvania Department of Education) requires a bachelor’s degree.
Q9. May I use a copy of my bachelor’s degree to send for a permit?
A9. No, the Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation requires an official bachelor’s degree transcript in a sealed envelope from an accredited college/university.
Q10. How long will it take to get my permit after the training?
A10. This is dependent upon the receipt of all required paperwork and successful completion of the TIMS application process. Once Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 has all the required information, it will be submitted to the Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation via the Internet over a secured network.
Please Note: PDE may do a random spot-check requiring IU 29 to
submit paperwork – if this happens the final approval will be delayed.
Q11. May I have a copy of the permit?
A11. No, the Bureau of Teacher Preparation and Certification and Preparation does not issue certificates. You may check your Emergency Certification status by logging into the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s website at www.education.state.pa.us/, then select “Teachers, Administrators and Certifications”, and then select the TIMS icon.
Q12. How soon will I be called to work as a substitute?
A12. Upon Emergency Permit approval by the Bureau of Teacher Certification, Curriculum Department staff will forward your application packet to all preferred school districts/Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 programs as indicated on your Guest Teacher Program application. Districts/programs will then follow established processes and notify individuals of approval status.
Q13. If I would like to add a district or two, what do I have to do?
A13. You must contact Theresa Kozura or Annie Milewski at Schuylkill IU and request that your file be forwarded to other school entities on our list. Please note that if you have never substituted in the new district and your clearances and TB Test are more than one year old, you will need to obtain new clearances and TB results in order to add the districts to your list.
Q14. How often will I be called to work as a substitute?
A14. This is dependent upon your availability, preferences and performance.
Q15. How will I be contacted to substitute?
A15. The method of contact varies by school entity. Once the school entity approves you as a substitute they will inform you of their process. Some entities are using 3rd party contractors to manage substitute services. If that is the case, you will be contacted by that contractor to become their employee.
Q16. If I am unavailable on a day that I am called to substitute, will that be held against me?
A16. It is understood that you will not be available to work every day; however, if an entity calls you numerous times and you are unavailable, they may move you to a low priority list or remove you completely. You should make the entity aware of your availability in advance whenever possible.
Q17. Are regularly certified teachers used before Guest Teachers?
Q17. The law stipulates that a school entity must first look to someone who is properly certified, second to someone certified but working outside of their certification area, and third to Guest Teachers that are certified through the emergency process.
Q18. What is the rate of pay as a Guest Teacher?
A18. The rate of pay varies by school entity. Some entities have a sliding pay scale, i.e. increased daily rate the more days you work. The daily rate generally ranges from $80.00 - $110.00 per day. A listing of substitute rates for all districts will be provided to participants at initial training.
Q19. Who will pay me?
A19. You will be hired and paid by each school entity or 3rd party contractor for which you work. If you work for five different schools during a two-week period of time, you will receive a paycheck from each hiring entity.
Q20. How long is an Emergency Permit valid?
A20. The permit is valid for one (1) school year. Your Emergency Permit must be renewed each year in order to continue as a substitute. Third party contractors are not certifying entities. Recertification will be completed with the IU or district.
Q21. What do I need to do to teach again next year?
A21. You will need to follow the renewal procedure that the Curriculum Department staff will email to you at the conclusion of the current school year. If you do not receive an email please visit www.iu29.org and select Guest Teacher in order to download the “Renewal Packet.” There are no additional requirements or training as long as you continue to substitute in consecutive school years. If you change your preferences or do not work at least one day in each district, you will need to provide current clearances to the new districts selected. If you miss a school year and wish to return to the program, you will need to complete new paperwork, including clearances. If you are away from the program for more than (2) years, you will be required to retake the training.
Q22. Can I use this permit to work as a full-time teacher or long-term substitute?
A22. No, this permit is only valid for work as a day-to-day substitute. You may not teach for the same person in the same subject area more than 20 consecutive days with this type of permit. A district may choose to apply for a different type of emergency permit if they wish to hire you for a long-term assignment.
Q23. How do I become permanently certified?
A23. You must contact a college/university that offers teacher education courses to discuss what additional course requirements would need to be completed.
Q24. In what subject areas can I substitute?
A24. You may substitute in any subject area with your day-to-day Emergency Permit.
Q25. What if I was educated outside the United States?
A25. Foreign-educated applicants are required to supply a Foreign Evaluation Report completed by a private agency listed on the NACES website. This evaluation must show U.S. equivalent of all foreign degrees plus a course-by-course evaluation showing semester hour college credit and cumulative GPA.
Also required:
· Affidavit: completed Affidavit of "Declaration of Intent to Become a Citizen" or completed "Declaration of United States Citizenship."
· Supply/Provide: Aphotocopy of the front and back of your Permanent Resident Visa (green card)
Q26. How should I dress for the Guest Teacher Program sessions?
A26. Suggested attire is business casual. You will be meeting district/IU administrators it is important to make a good first impression.
Q27. Who do I contact if I have further questions?
A27. Registration and Paperwork –
Theresa Kozura (ext. 1276 or )
Detailed Information or Specific Questions –
Annie Milewski (ext. 1227 or )
1/5/17