2026-2027 Substitute Teacher Candidate Pool ($15.75 - $20.00 per hour) - GCPS

Individuals interested in serving as a Substitute Teacher with Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) must meet the following pre-employment conditions:

Requirements

• Complete an online application
• Pass a criminal background check performed by an authorized GCPS agency ($20.00 fee, applicant’s responsibility)
• Pass a drug screening performed by an authorized GCPS agency ($40.00 fee, applicant’s responsibility)
• Provide an up-to-date resume, as applicable
• Provide three (3) references
• Hold a minimum of:
  • A high school diploma, or
  • Forty-eight (48) hours of study at an approved institution of higher education, or
  • A passing score of 455 on the ParaPro Assessment
• Submit a high school diploma, up-to-date official transcripts, MD Educator Certificate, Praxis test scores, and/or ParaPro Assessment Test scores
• Complete other HR-related documents (e.g., I-9, W-4, direct deposit) prior to beginning work
• Attend a substitute teacher/instructional assistant orientation session, as determined by the Director of Human Resources and Employee Relations
• All applicants must be 21 years of age or older; applicants currently enrolled in a college or university must be 20 years of age or older

Pay

• Daily Rate:
  • $15.75 per hour – Instructional Assistant
  • $17.00 per hour – High school diploma, forty-eight (48) college credits, AA, or ParaPro Assessment
  • $19.00 per hour – Bachelor’s degree or higher (without MSDE certification)
  • $20.00 per hour – MSDE-certified teacher
• Long-term Rate (10+ consecutive days in same assignment):
  • $117.00 per day – Instructional Assistant
  • $135.00 per day – High school diploma, forty-eight (48) college credits, AA, or ParaPro Assessment
  • $155.00 per day – Bachelor’s degree or higher (without MSDE certification)
  • $168.00 per day – MSDE teacher certification (first step of the current teacher scale)

  Note: To maintain the long-term rate of pay, a substitute cannot miss more than three (3) days in the same assignment. Missing more than three (3) days will result in a return to the daily rate of pay.

Schedule

• Temporary position
• 7.1 hours per day
• Availability: 2026-2027 school year

About the Role

The substitute teacher will provide essential academic instruction, as well as develop, implement, and supervise appropriate program-related activities to help students develop and demonstrate the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:
  • High School diploma or forty-eight (48) hours of study at an approved institution of higher education or a passing score of 455 on the ParaPro Assessment
  • An Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree is preferred
  • Excellent written and verbal skills
  • Outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact successfully with diverse stakeholders (e.g., students, staff, administration, parents, general public, community agencies)
  • Proficiency in a variety of technology and applications
  • Successful management of confidential information and materials
  • History of initiative, discretion, leadership, and independent judgment
  • Demonstrated understanding of and attention to detail, especially as it relates to student safety and well-being
  • History of professionalism and strong work ethic
  • Ability to work independently and as a team player
  • Ability to serve as a positive role model for students, staff, and other stakeholders
  • Ability to maintain emotional control while addressing stressful situations
  • Physical ability to:
    • Stand, sit, walk, climb stairs, balance, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, bend, push, and pull
    • Lift and transport heavy to moderately heavy objects averaging 40-60 lbs.
    • Use hands and fingers to operate a mouse, keyboard, other technology, and instructional manipulatives
  • Regular and predictable attendance
  • Ability to perform the essential functions of the job either with or without reasonable accommodations
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Standard Professional Certificate issued by the Maryland State Department of Education or the equivalent issued by another state department of education
  • Teaching experience and/or previous work experience with school-age students
  • CPR and First Aid certification
  • General understanding of child growth, development, and behavior characteristics
  • Knowledge of instructional and behavioral strategies
  • Knowledge of education vocabulary, definitions, and acronyms

Responsibilities

• Prepare lessons, assignments, and instructional materials
• Establish clear goals and learning objectives consistent with appraisal of student needs, curriculum framework, and knowledge of human growth and development
• Prepare, administer, and correct assessments and record results
• Select and use appropriate instructional strategies including lectures, group discussions, demonstrations, modeling, and multi-media teaching aids
• Evaluate student progress using appropriate assessment techniques
• Maintain order and discipline in the classroom conducive to effective learning
• Take all appropriate safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
• Create a classroom environment that provides for student involvement in the learning process and enables each student to achieve learning objectives
• Counsel pupils when academic and behavioral problems arise
• Confer with parents and students regarding progress and arrange/participate in teacher-parent or teacher-student conferences, as necessary
• Serve on special committees, as necessary
• Maintain accurate and complete records as required by the school, applicable programs and agencies, law, Board Policy, and Administrative Procedure
• Account for and order classroom and program equipment and supplies, as necessary
• Attend and actively participate in staff/faculty meetings and appropriate job-related professional development, as requested
• Improve skill and knowledge base in subject matter, current trends, research, methodology, technology, multicultural content, problem-solving strategies, and interdisciplinary connections
• Plan and supervise purposeful assignments for substitutes and volunteers, as necessary
• Contribute to the short-term and long-term successes of students, staff, school, and the system in general
• Maintain confidentiality at all times
• Present courteous and professional demeanor at all times
• Demonstrate proficiency, flexibility, self-motivation, accountability and ownership, and positive demeanor
• Perform other duties as assigned