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Guest Teacher Program

To support our community and the school districts we serve in the Carbon and Lehigh counties, the CLIU (Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit) offers the Guest Teacher Program, which provides quality substitute teacher training to individuals who have a bachelor’s degree with little to no teaching experience.  

Each Guest Teacher exits the training program with the basic skills and resources to be a substitute teacher on a day-to-day basis and an emergency permit issued by the PA Department of Education (PDE). Guest Teachers who have completed the training program and are approved for an emergency permit can substitute teach in any participating School District and Career and Technical Institute in Carbon and Lehigh Counties.

Make a positive impact in our schools, decide when you work and where, and experience the rewarding world of substitute teaching by applying to our next training program.

The Basics of Applying to the Program:

Interested applicants may begin the process by completing an employment application starting on February 27, 2026, by clicking on the "Apply Here!" button below or clicking on the following link:  

Please contact Heather Levitt - Human Resources Specialist at 610-769-4111 ext. 1232 or Emily Brackman - Recruitment Administrative Assistant at 610-769-4111 ext. 1249 with questions.

Apply Here

 

Important Dates - Guest Teacher Program Summer 2026

Application Open

Friday, February 27, 2026

Deadline to Apply

 Friday, April 17, 2026

Interviews

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 & Thursday, March 26, 2026

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 & Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Training

Thursday, May 14, 2026 & Friday, May 15, 2026

Final Paperwork Packets Due

Friday, July 10, 2026

Meet and Greet

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

 

Additional Information Regarding the Program

Requirements:

To apply for the program, one must have successfully completed graduation requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university in the U.S. and submit official sealed transcripts as part of the application process.  Individual educated outside of the U.S. must submit a credential evaluation by an approved agency to show your credentials are equal to a bachelor's degree in the U.S. (120 credits).  To obtain information about the evaluation process please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) website at www.education.pa.gov.

The Guest Teacher application must be completed by the deadline date provide above. 

Program Costs:

The costs associated with the program include:

  • The expense associated with the university charges for official sealed transcripts
  • The PA Criminal Clearance ($22) which can be obtained online at https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp
  • The Child Abuse Clearance ($13) which can be obtained at https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home (this clearance can take up to 3 weeks to be returned)
  • The FBI Clearance ($24.95) which must be scheduled online at https://uenroll.identogo.com/workflows/1KG6S7
  • The cost of a health physical and TB test, due at time of final paperwork. For more information visit our FAQs. (Applicants responsibility)
  • $30 program fee (to be paid upon acceptance into program by check or money order only)

** NOTE:  Clearances should not be older than July 31, 2025.

Program Expectations:

Guest Teacher applications need to be submitted as directed by the deadline; no exceptions will be permitted.  All applications, if submitted by the deadline, will be reviewed. 

If selected for an interview, the Guest Teacher applicant must be available on March 25, 2026, March 26, 2026, April 28, 2026, or April 29, 2026.  Interviews will only be conducted on these dates.  If you are unable to attend one of these dates, please contact Gouri Deshpande, Recruitment Specialist, at deshpandeg@cliu.org or Emily Brackman, Recruitment Administrative Assistant, at brackmane@cliu.org.  Applicants who are selected into the program will be notified by email. 

If selected for the program, the Guest Teacher must be available to attend two days of mandatory training on May 14, 2026 and May 15, 2026.  No exceptions will be made.  Upon completion of the two days of training, candidates will receive final paperwork (I-9 forms, Physical and TB forms) towards completion of their guest teacher packet which will be used for onboarding at the participating school district.  

Conclusion of the Program:

The program concludes with the distribution of the Guest Teacher packet to the successful Guest Teacher.  The Guest Teacher Packet includes all materials received by the CLIU from the point of application to the final paperwork materials and PDE emergency permit.  The CLIU will prepare one copy of the materials and distribute them to the Guest Teacher.  The Guest Teacher will be responsible for making multiple copies of the packet for distribution to each district they wish to apply. 

The Meet and Greet session scheduled for July 29, 2026, concludes the program.  The Guest Teacher can meet with School District Representatives from districts in which they choose to substitute.  At the Meet and Greet session, School District Representatives will be accepting the Guest Teacher packet and distributing pertinent information that pertains to the district's substitute information and hiring process.  The Meet and Greet session is a job fair for Guest Teachers only. 

Renewal Process:

Each year after the initial training year the Guest Teacher will receive an email from the CLIU HR Department requesting information about the emergency permit renewal.  The Guest Teacher is responsible for returning the information requested and $5 emergency permit fee (Check or Money Order only) by the deadline.  The email is sent in June of each year and requested to be returned by July.  This is a renewal for the Guest Teacher program and the emergency permit.  Please note, it is your responsibility to update the CLIU of any changes to your contact information.

Lack of a response by the deadline date will eliminate the Guest Teacher from the program and will not allow the Guest Teacher to receive an emergency permit to substitute teach for the following school year. The response to the June email is separate from any materials a Guest Teacher may receive from an employing school district or career and technical institute.  Guest Teachers who do not renew may reapply to the Guest Teacher Program and pay the initial program fee of $30 if accepted into the program. 

FAQ:

What is the Guest Teacher Program? 

  • The Guest Teacher Program is a training program to prepare individuals who have a bachelor’s degree with little to no teaching experience for the classroom and assist in obtaining a Type 06 Day to Day Substitute Emergency Permit. 

Who is the Guest Teacher Program for? 

  • Our successful graduates of the program have been stay at home parents, retirees, caregivers, those who are reentering the workforce for a variety of reasons, students considering a profession in teaching, those looking for a career change, individuals needing a flexible schedule, etc. 

I missed the application deadline, but I am still interested in participating in the Guest Teacher Program. What can I do? 

  • The Guest Teacher Program is held twice a year. Please contact our Recruitment Specialist, Gouri Deshpande, at deshpandeg@cliu.org or 610-769-4111, Ext. 1296. You can also reach out to our Recruitment Administrative Assistant, Emily Brackman, at brackmane@cliu.org or 610-769-4111, Ext. 1249.  

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 holding a bachelor’s degree and can only be used in the school districts participating in the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21’s Guest Teacher Program. 
  • Does the Type 06 day-to-day substitute emergency permit have any restrictions? Yes, the following restrictions apply: 
  • The permit is valid for one school year only. Renewal is required each year. 
  • The permit is valid for Guest Teacher Program District participants only. 
  • Guest Teachers cannot work as a long-term sub or full-time teacher position. 
  • The permit allows a Guest Teacher to substitute on a day-to-day basis for up to 20 consecutive days in one assignment. Guest teachers may not work more than 20 consecutive days in a single classroom.

In what subject areas and grade levels can I substitute?  

  • You may substitute in any subject area and at any grade level with your emergency permit, special education included! 

I received my bachelor's degree outside of the US.  Where can I get my transcripts evaluated? 

  • World Education Services (WES) is an excellent choice for international degree evaluation; however, a complete list of accepted evaluation services can be found through the following PDE approved agencies:  

  • National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) - https://www.naces.org/members  

  • Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) - https://aice-eval.org/members/  

  • An agency approved by another U.S. state department of education in order to obtain the approving state's educator credential 

Why do I have to submit a health physical and TB Test? 

  • PA School Code requires all school personnel, employees, and independent contractors, who provide direct services to students on behalf of a school to take a pre-employment medical examination and tuberculin test, the results of which shall be recorded on the forms prescribed by the Secretary of Health. When you apply to work at any PA School, you must provide evidence of a physical and TB Test via the School Personnel Health Record Form.

Where can I get a physical and TB Test that meets the requirements and how much will it cost? 

  • You can obtain a physical and TB Test at any physician’s office; however, there are several clinics in the Lehigh Valley that offer affordable options. Check with your family physician to see if it is offered. Most insurances will cover the cost, but if paying out of pocket the cost can vary. Some options are as follows: 

  • CVS Minute Clinics 

  • The approximate cost of a Physical is $69 but can range from $35 - $250 depending on the service. 

  • $35 for TB Test Placement (First Visit) and $39 for TB Test Reading (Second Visit) if negative. Additional costs if positive. 

  • Patient First 

  • Price ranges from $49 - $159 for a physical 

  • $49 for a TB Test 

How much can I earn as a substitute teacher? How will I be paid?  

  • The pay rate for day-to-day subbing varies by school district. You will either be directly employed by the school district in which you substitute or will become an employee of the third-party agency the school contracts its substitute services to. Contact the district directly for more information on rates of pay and other payroll matters. You can also learn more at the meet and greet, scheduled after the training. 

How often will I be contacted to substitute?  

  • This will depend upon your availability, subject area and grade-level preferences, and on-the-job performance. 

Do I have an opportunity to choose the school district I work for? 

  • Yes, on the last day of training you will receive a district preference form where you will choose the school districts you would like to substitute for. This will include an option for grade levels and special education. 

Why should I attend the Meet and Greet that is scheduled for after the training? 

  • The meet and greet is an excellent opportunity to meet the representatives from your preferred school districts and learn more about school districts in your area. Attendance at this job fair event will also expedite the hiring process and can get you in a classroom sooner.

What do I need to do to renew my emergency permit and guest teacher status? 

  • You will receive an email in June each year that includes instructions along with PDE Form 338G. You must return the completed form and $5 renewal fee via check or money order to the CLIU by the due date listed in the email. If you do not plan to renew your emergency permit for the new school year, please email Heather Levitt at levitth@cliu.org.  

Who should I notify to update my contact information, including email address, phone number, or home address? 

  • Please contact Heather Levitt anytime during the school year at levitth@cliu.org or 610-769-4111 Ext. 1232.

I am interested in working for the CLIU (Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21). Who do I contact? 

  • Please contact our Recruitment Specialist, Gouri Deshpande, at deshpandeg@cliu.org or 610-769-4111, Ext. 1296. You can also reach out to our Recruitment Administrative Assistant, Emily Brackman, at brackmane@cliu.org or 610-769-4111, Ext. 1249.