How to Become a Substitute Teacher in Delaware: A Clear, Updated Guide

If you’re interested in becoming a substitute teacher in Delaware, you may find a flexible, meaningful role waiting for you — whether in urban districts like Wilmington or Newark, or in smaller suburban or rural Delaware districts. Substitute teaching can provide schedule-friendly work while helping schools maintain stability whenever regular teachers are absent.

This guide walks you through how substitute teaching tends to work in Delaware, what typical requirements are, what districts expect, and how training programs like Certified Sub can help you feel prepared and confident before stepping into a classroom.

Why Substitute Teaching Appeals to Many in Delaware

Substitute teaching offers several attractive advantages:

• Flexibility — you may be able to choose when and how often you work, depending on district demand and your own availability.
• Variety — each assignment may involve different classrooms, grade levels, and student groups, which can make the work rewarding and dynamic.
• Community impact — by stepping in when regular teachers are absent, substitutes help ensure continuity of learning and support for students.
• Lower barrier to entry (in many cases) — unlike full teaching positions, substitute roles often have fewer requirements, making them accessible to a broader range of people.

Because many districts rely on substitutes regularly, there tends to be steady demand across Delaware.

What It Takes to Become a Substitute Teacher in Delaware

Unlike some states with a statewide substitute-teacher license, in Delaware substitute-teacher hiring is generally managed at the district or school-level, under oversight from Delaware DOE and local school boards. That means requirements can vary. However, there are some common expectations across many districts.

✔ Basic Eligibility: Age, Background Check, Work Authorization

Most Delaware school districts expect substitute candidates to:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Provide proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. (valid ID, legal status).
• Successfully complete a criminal background check (state/federal), and any required clearances (e.g. child-safety checks).
• Complete required district or state paperwork (employment forms, W-4, etc.) before being placed on a substitute list.

✔ Education Requirements (Varies by District)

Because there is no uniform statewide substitute license that applies to all substitute teachers in Delaware, what counts as “qualified” often depends on the district. Common patterns include:

• Many districts accept a high school diploma or GED for occasional or short-term substitute assignments (especially for elementary or general ed coverage).
• For more regular assignments — or for substituting in specialized subjects or higher grades — districts may prefer or require some college coursework or a college degree.
• In some districts, having prior experience working with children (childcare, tutoring, prior school employment) may increase your chances of acceptance.

Because policies vary, you should always check a district’s substitute-teacher requirements (typically found under “Human Resources,” “Employment,” or “Substitutes” on the district website).

✔ District Application, Onboarding & Clearance

To become a substitute in Delaware, you generally need to:

• Submit an application directly to the district (or occasionally to a district-approved staffing agency).
• Provide required documentation (diploma or transcripts if required, ID, eligibility paperwork, references if asked).
• Complete background and clearance checks.
• Attend any required orientation, training, or induction the district mandates (some districts may require a short orientation or safety briefing).
• Once approved, be added to the district’s substitute roster.

From there, you become eligible to be called for substitute assignments when regular teachers are absent.

How a Program Like Certified Sub Can Help Prepare Substitutes in Delaware

Because many districts in Delaware do minimal — if any — substitute-specific training, stepping into a classroom, especially for the first time, can be a challenge. That’s where Certified Sub can add real value.

Certified Sub provides practical, classroom-ready training tailored to substitute teachers. With self-paced modules, you’ll learn how to:

• Build routines quickly when you first walk into a classroom
• Manage student behavior confidently and fairly
• Deliver lessons clearly — even when teacher plans are minimal or missing
• Maintain student engagement across different grade levels
• Use fallback or “emergency” lesson plans and ready-to-use activities when needed
• Adapt to a variety of classroom environments, grade levels, and teaching styles

For Delaware substitutes — especially those without prior teaching experience — this kind of preparation can make a significant difference. It helps you step in not just as a placeholder, but as someone who can provide stable, effective instruction when a teacher is absent. That’s good for students, schools, and your own confidence.

Your Next Step

If substitute teaching in Delaware seems like a good fit for you, here’s how to get started:

1. Identify the school district(s) where you’d like to substitute and review their substitute-teacher requirements (usually under “Human Resources,” “Employment,” or “Substitutes”).
2. Gather your credentials: diploma or GED (or transcripts if applicable), valid ID and eligibility paperwork, résumé or references (if requested).
3. Be prepared to complete background and clearance checks.
4. Apply to the district(s), and complete any required onboarding or orientation.
5. Once approved and added to a substitute roster, consider enrolling in a training program like Certified Sub to prepare yourself thoroughly and enter your first assignment with confidence.

Ready to get trained and classroom-ready?

Take the step from “approved substitute” → “effective, confident substitute teacher.”

👉 Explore Certified Sub’s full training course library here: https://www.certifiedsub.org/courses/