Guest Teacher Program

Guest Teacher Program

The Luzerne Intermediate Unit #18 Guest Teacher Program is a service offered to our local school districts, and Career and Technical Institutes in Luzerne County. The purpose of the program is to train individuals with any bachelor’s degree from an accredited college who are interested in serving as substitute teachers for our local school districts.

The program provides substitute teacher training to people who have a bachelor’s degree but do not have a Pennsylvania teaching certificate. The blended training sessions, conducted by Luzerne Intermediate Unit professionals, will provide instruction in Planning and Preparation, Classroom Environment, Instruction, and Professionalism. This will be done in two parts. There is an online training and one ½ day training onsite. Guest teachers leave the program with an emergency permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the basic knowledge to be an effective day-to-day substitute teacher in the consortium school districts. The opportunities are rewarding and gratifying.

Work for the district(s) of your choice. Current Districts include (you may choose one or more):
Crestwood, Dallas, Lake Lehman, Northwest, Pittston, Wyoming Area, Wyoming Valley West, and West Side Career and Technical Center.

WE ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS


Please fill out the Guest Teacher Application (.doc) and email us at guestteacher@liu18.org
If you are using the mail system, please submit to:
Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18
Attn: Tara Bruza
368 Tioga Avenue
Kingston, PA 18704

Required Applications, Forms, and Paperwork (Click on each blue title to open the document)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a day-to-day substitute emergency permit?
    A Type 06 day-to-day substitute emergency permit is issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to qualify a person for service as a day-to-day substitute teacher. This permit can only be issued to individuals that hold a bachelor’s degree and can only be used in the school districts that are participating in the Luzerne IU 18 Guest Teacher Consortium.
  • How do I apply for an emergency permit to work in the Guest Teacher Consortium districts?
    You must provide LIU #18 with all required applications, forms, and paperwork along with an official transcript in a sealed envelope. After you have completed the required 1.5 days of training, Luzerne IU 18 will apply to PDE to issue the emergency permit.
  • Does the emergency permit have any restrictions?
    Yes, listed below are the restrictions:

    • The permit is valid for one school year (expires July 1st) and must be renewed on an annual basis at the request of the IU.
    • The permit is valid for use in the Guest Teacher consortium districts only.
    • This permit classifies the Guest Teacher as a “day-to-day” substitute teacher.
    • Guest Teachers may not work more than 20 days per classroom teacher per school year (the 20 days are counted as consecutive or cumulative time throughout the school year).
  • Can I only substitute in certain subject areas?
    No, your emergency permit allows you to substitute in any subject area.
  • Once I have completed the required paperwork and training, how will the school district(s) know that I want to substitute teach in their classrooms?
    After PDE has approved the emergency permit, Luzerne IU 18 will send your name, address and telephone number to the districts of your choice.
  • If I work for more than one school district, how do I get paid?
    You will be paid by each individual school district where you choose to work. You will become an employee of each particular school district and follow their payroll submission schedules and procedures. (Example: if you work one day at school X, you will be paid by school. If you work one day at school Y, you are paid by school Y, etc.)
  • What if my schedule will only permit me to work certain days of the week? How will the districts know when I can work?
    It is your responsibility as a guest teacher to coordinate your schedule with each school district you choose. LIU #18 does not coordinate schedule information with the districts.
  • After my emergency permit expires, how do I renew it for the next school year? During the summer, the IU will send you information and directions to go into the TIMS program and reapply. These forms must be returned by the specified deadline date in order to be processed in time for the new school year. The IU will not renew emergency permits for those individuals that did not substitute in the prior school year.
  • How will I know if my emergency permit was renewed for the new school year? And in which school districts I can substitute?
    The IU will send a memo announcing your permit renewal. Your name will be provided to the school districts.
  • What are the costs for me to be a Guest Teacher?
    There is a $60 fee to participate in the Guest Teacher Training. Other costs include:

    • Act 151 – PA Child Abuse History clearance – $10 fee
    • Act 34 – PA State Police Criminal Record clearance – $10 fee
    • Act 114 – FBI Fingerprint Criminal Record clearance – $28.75 fee
    • A current TB test – you are responsible for any and all physician fees
    • Official sealed transcript – a fee may apply at some colleges/universities.
  • What is the pay rate for Guest Teachers?
    The rates of pay vary by district.

Program Expectations

  • After completing the required paperwork, mandatory trainings, LIU will apply for an emergency permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. It allows the guest teacher to substitute in participating school districts.

If additional information is required, please email guestteacher@liu18.org.