Heartland Schools Offers Free Substitute Teacher Certification

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI (KFVS) – Right now, people can become certified substitute teachers by taking advantage of free, grant-funded training at various Heartland schools.

Mineral Area College offers training approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The certification process takes 20 hours and requires personal attendance at all sessions. Locations, dates and times are listed below:

Chaffee High School Library

November 11–15 from 17:00 to 21:00.

Perryville Area Career and Technical Services Center (Waitlist)

November 18–21 from 16:00 to 21:00.

Thomas W. Kelly High School

17:00–21:00 November 5–9

Scott City High School

From 16:00 to 20:00 December 2, 4, 9, 11 and 13.

Doniphan Schools

from 17:00 to 21:00 December 10–12, from 8:00 to 16:00 on December 14.

Dr. Sean Young of Mineral College described the need for more people to become certified as “urgent.”

“Missouri is experiencing a teacher shortage, and as we start to penetrate more rural communities, we see that shortage growing even further due to population density,” Dr. Young said.

Many who want to start a career in education start on Saturday. “Often we have people who become substitute teachers and then come back and get their teaching certificate and become teachers. So if there is a teacher shortage, that usually means there is a shortage of substitute teachers.”

People wishing to register must have a high school diploma or equivalent and be willing to undergo a background check.

“If you want to become a teacher or work as a substitute and help out by working with children, then you should definitely sign up for this program.”

Individuals who have completed at least 36 credit hours from a state-approved university or college are not required to complete this training to obtain substitute teacher certification.

Dr Young said demand for training was so high that grant funding could not keep up. MAC is looking for local businesses and organizations to help supplement this funding by becoming a sponsor.

“Funding is limited, and that’s one of the challenges… I have enough funding for about 15 schools, and I’ve already reached the 15 school training that we already had planned for January, and this grant is for four years.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring one of the schools or trainings can write to Dr. Young at: [email protected].