Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 23, 1995                   TAG: 9504240018
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV25   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HERE'S WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A SUBSTITUTE

Here's a quick list of what the county requires:

You must have a degree from a four-year accredited college or a teaching certificate. Some counties don't require a degree.

You must fill out a long application that asks what subjects and grades you'd be willing to teach

You must provide proof of a negative tuberculin test (or a chest X-ray).

A notarized criminal record check is required.

Substitute teachers in Montgomery County don't get rich. Teachers being called on a day-to-day basis are paid $50 a day. In my case, both of my teaching assignments were arranged ahead of time, but don't be surprised to be called at the crack of dawn to fill in for teachers whose unforeseen sicknesses keep them at home.

If the teacher will be gone more than 10 days, you are called a long-term substitute and you'll get $72 per day beginning the eleventh day. But that means you'll have additional duties, too, like planning lessons, grading student report cards and helping out on bus duty and other additional teaching responsibilities.

While $50 a day may not sound like much, day-to-day substitutes in Giles County only make $40 (with a college degree) and $35 without a degree. In Floyd County, substitutes make $45 and $35 respectively.

Radford and Pulaski subs fare a little better, making $53.05 and $54 with college degrees. Without a degree, the pay is $35.55 and $50 respectively.