As the 2023-24 school year kicked off, Miami-Dade County Public Schools introduced new requirements for substitute teacher eligibility. 

Previously, substitute teachers were required to have completed 30 hours of college credit and be at least 18 years old to teach elementary and middle school and at least 19 years old to teach high school. Now, the requirements have loosened. All substitute teachers must have a high school diploma or the equivalent of a General Education Diploma and fit the prior age requirements to teach.

In lowering the substitute teaching requirements, MDCPS has become the sixth of the 10 largest school districts in the U.S. that require the equivalent of a high school diploma as the required education for substitute teachers. 

With this change, MDCPS has partnered with Kelly Education to hire potential substitutes rather than receiving direct applications to help combat the ongoing teacher shortage that the district is facing with the highest need of teachers in core subject areas.

“Nationwide, staffing in schools has become increasingly difficult due to the ongoing educator shortage. Through Kelly Education, the main focus is on closing the gap and ensuring learning continues. From substitute teachers to non-instructional staff such as paraeducators, tutors, and therapists, now more than ever, schools need access to a robust network of substitute educators,” Kelly Education Strategic Account Manager Angie Miller said.

In addition to this change, more efforts to recruit substitutes were also introduced. On Jan. 22, Pinecrest Gardens held an informational training session.

The event, under Pinecrest’s Education Advisory Council’s leadership, featured guest speakers from Kelly Education and MDCPS with a presentation highlighting the need for substitutes and the process of how to get involved with substituting through Kelly Education.

“Currently, with the partnership with the Miami Dade County School District and Kelly Education, we are growing the substitute educator pool daily. We are always actively recruiting qualified individuals who want to support their local community,” Miller said.

With over 15 people interested in the position, the event met its goal of informing people on the significance of substitute teachers and their role in Miami-Dade County.