Substitute Teacher Authorization:

Substitute Authorization: Fostering Student Learning as a Substitute

This 20-hour course is designed to meet the requirements for the Substitute Authorization Program. Receiving a Substitute Authorization will allow an individual who holds a baccalaureate degree to substitute in a middle school, junior high school, or high school for no more than five consecutive days in one job assignment. An individual who holds a paraeducator certificate and completes the Substitute Authorization course will be authorized to substitute ONLY in the special education classroom in which the individual paraeducator is employed for no more than five consecutive days.  This special education classroom may be on the elementary level as well as the middle school, junior high school or high school level.  Check our online catalog for a schedule of when the Substitute Authorization course is being offered. All participants will be required to complete two hours of classroom observation. The process will be explained during the class.

The Substitute Authorization may be issued to an individual who:

1. Has successfully completed all the requirements of the approved Substitute Authorization course.
2. Has achieved at least one of the following: (1) holds a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, OR (2) has completed an approved Paraeducator Certification Program and holds a Paraeducator Certificate.
3. Has attained a minimum age of 21 years.
4. Has successfully completed an Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation background check.
5. Has successfully completed a national criminal history background check.

This course addresses the four components required by the Board of Educational Examiners:

1. Classroom Management - Participants will develop an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior that will enable them to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.
2. Strategies for Learning - Participants will develop skills to use a variety of learning strategies that encourage student development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
3. Diversity - Participants will develop an understanding of how students differ in their approaches to learning, will be able to create learning opportunities that are equitable and are adaptable to diverse learners, and will develop an understanding of the diversity within the classroom.
4. Ethics - Participants will develop an understanding of how to foster relationships with parents, school colleagues, and organizations in the larger community to support student learning and development and become aware of the Board's Rules of Professional Practice and Code of Ethics.

The Substitute Authorization Application Process:

Upon successful completion of the substitute authorization class, you must submit the documents listed below to State of Iowa, Board of Educational Examiner Licensure, Grimes State Office Building, 400 East 14th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0146.

1. Completed Application for a Substitute Authorization form.
2. Option 1: $150 ($85 application fee + $65 background check fee if fingerprinting is done at your local police department) made payable to the Board of Educational Examiners.
   
   Option 2: $137 ($85 application fee + $52 background check fee)  The Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) encourages applicants to be fingerprinted electronically at their office located at 400 East 14th Street, Des Moines, Iowa.  This greatly reduces the processing time for issuing the Authorization.  Applicants fingerprinted at the BOEE's office pay a reduced fee of $52 for the background check.  Please call 515-281-3245 for an appointment.  Please bring the following items with you: driver's license or pasport and a check or money order for $137.  You will complete a Waiver form at their office.
3. Offical Transcript for the Substitute Authorization course (Heartland will mail your transcript to you after you return your completed Classroom Observation form)
4. Provide te appropriate documentation:
        a.  A baccalaureate degree (submit official transcripts)  OR
        b.  A Paraeducator Certificate (submit a photocopy)
5. Completed Fingerprint Card (please contact your local police department to see if an appointment is necessary, if you are not having your fingerprinting done at the BOEE's office.  There may be a fee charged by the police department.)
6. Completed Waiver form (If you are going to the BOEE for electronic fingerprinting, they will have a different Waiver form fo you to complete.)

See a map of the Area 11 school districts.

To view the dates the Substitute Authorization classes are offered or to register for a Substitute Authorization class, click here.

Substitute Authorization Renewal:
The Substitute Authorization is valid for three years, and shall expire three years from the date of issuance. The Substitute Authorization may be renewed upon application, an $85 renewal fee, documentation of completion of the child and dependent adult abuse training (current within five years), and verification of successful completion of coursework totaling two credits (30 clock hours) that have been approved for Substitute Authorization renewal credit.

To find courses currently available for Substitute Authorization renewal credit, go to Heartland AEA's web site at www.aea11.k12.ia.us and click on Prof Dev Catalog. Do a search for "all" categories. In the Credits columns, look for a "1" or a "2" in the SA column, which stands for Substitute Authorization renewal credit. You may register online if you pay by credit card, or you may print off a registration form and send it in with payment.

Completion of an approved child and dependent adult abuse training program is a requirement for renewing the Substitute Authorization. Most of you completed this online training when you took the initial Substitute Authorization course. If you already sent a copy of your completion certificate to the Board of Educational Examiners at the time you initially applied for the authorization, you do not need to send it again. The training is good for five years. However, if you have not yet completed the training, you may do so by going to Heartland AEA's web site at www.aea11.k12.ia.us. Click on Online Trainings; then click on Mandatory Reporter. There is a $25 fee for taking this training. You will be asked to enter your credit card number at the end of the training. You will need to complete a Substitute Authorization Renewal Application form and pay $85. The application form may be found on the Board of Educational Examiners' web site at www.state.ia.us/boee. Click on Download Licensure Forms and choose the Application for Renewal of a Substitute Authorization.

Substitute Authorization Training Materials:

NOTE: These materials will be provided at class.

(Please click this link to access training materials.)

Questions:
Professional Development, Heartland AEA 11, 515-270-0405 or 1-800-255-0405, Ext. 14701