Thank you for your interest in becoming a substitute teacher for the School Board of Hardee County!

Substitute teachers provide a valuable service to our students and schools.   A substitute teacher is an at-will employee who helps ensure that educational opportunities continue for our students when regular employees are absent from work. 

Since substitute teachers follow the school calendar, there is no expectation of employment during holidays, breaks, and during the summer months.  This works well for people who are changing careers, parents with children in school, or retirees who are looking for flexible and rewarding work.  Many teachers began their careers as substitute teachers, providing them an opportunity to get to know school staff and school culture prior to accepting full-time teaching positions.

There is a great need for dependable, well-prepared substitute teachers.  We have provided this substitute information with hopes that any questions you may have will be answered.  If, after viewing this website, you still have questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Personnel Department of the Hardee County School Board at 863-773-9058.

To become an active substitute teacher please follow the instructions below:

1. Complete an employment application.  (Applicants must have transportation and provide a working phone number).

2. If you hold a Florida Teaching Certificate, or have a Bachelor’s Degree in Education please complete the Instructional Application .  If not, please complete the Non-instructional Application. 

3. Provide verification of High School Diploma or GED.  If you have an AA Degree or Bachelor’s Degree, Official Transcripts will also be required.  Testing requirements and rate of pay will be determined by your level of completed education. 

4. Employee processing fee will be required for drug testing and fingerprinting background check. 

5. All substitute teachers will be required to complete a mandatory online substitute training workshop. (See instructions below) 

6. Once approved by the School Board of Hardee County, we encourage all substitute teachers to make a personal contact at each school site at which you wish to work. 

Training Requirement: 

Hardee County has chosen to partner with STEDI.org to provide online training for Substitute Teaching candidates.  Upon successful completion, applicants will receive a Sub Diploma.  The school district is requiring a composite score of 85% on the Sub Assessment to show successful completion.  The Course covers:

• Classroom Management

• Teaching Strategies 

• Being Prepared and Professional 

• Special Education 

• Orientation and Legal Issues

There is a $39.95 fee associated with this course.  Once you substitute 20 days in the district, you can apply to have the fee reimbursed. 

In order to complete the online training, you need to successfully complete the SubSkills Online Training Course. To register for the courses follow the following steps: 

• Go to www.stedi.org

• Choose “Purchase Courses” 

• Choose SubSkills Online Training (option A)

• Proceed to Checkout. 

• When you complete the course, print the Sub Diploma Certificate and provide a copy of the certificate to the Personnel Office to be included in your application file.

Substitute candidates will only be submitted to the School Board for approval when all steps have been completed and all requirements have been met. 

The Hardee County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability or marital status in its educational programs, services or activities, or in its hiring or employment practices. The district also provides equal access to its facilities to the Boy Scouts and other patriotic youth groups, as required by the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act. Questions, complaints, or requests for additional information regarding discrimination or harassment may be sent to:

Mary Farr
Director of Student Academic Services
230 South Florida Avenue, Wauchula, FL 33873
mfarr@hardee.k12.fl.us
863-767-0662, ext. 1310

Michele Polk
Director of Human Resources
1009 N 6th Avenue, Wauchula, FL, 33873 
Mpolk@hardee.k12.fl.us
863-773-9058

The Hardee County School Board adheres to a policy of non-discrimination in educational programs, activities, benefits, and employment practices and strives affirmatively to provide equal opportunity for all as required by the following:

(1) No person shall, on the basis of race, national origin, sex, handicap, color, religion, age, or marital status, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity, or in any employment conditions or practices of the Hardee County School Board.

General Statutory Authority: 120.52, 120.53. 120.54, 120.55, 230.220, 230.23, 228.2001, 230.22(2), 230.23(17) F.S. Specific Statutory Authority: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act 1964; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Age Discrimination Act of 1967; Sec. 228.2001, 228.041, 228.2001, 230.23(5); 230.23005(11) F. S.; 34CFR200.43(c), P.L. 201-44 Code of Federal Register, 34 C.F.R ss 108.9 (Boy Scouts Act) Policy Against Sexual Harassment or Other Forms of Harassment Prohibited by Law

A. The School Board desires to maintain an academic and work environment in which all employees, volunteers, and students are treated with respect and dignity. A vital element of this atmosphere is the Board’s commitment to equal opportunities and the prohibition of discriminatory practices. The board’s prohibition against discriminatory practices includes prohibitions against sexual harassment, or any other form of harassment based upon a person’s membership in a protected class and specifically prohibited by applicable state or federal law. The School Board forbids sexual harassment, or any other form of illegal harassment, of any employee, student, volunteer or visitor. The Board will not tolerate sexual harassment, or any other form of illegal harassment by any of its employees, students, volunteers or agents.

B. The prohibition against discrimination including sexual and other forms of illegal harassment shall also apply to non-employee volunteers who work subject to the control of school authorities, and to all vendors or service providers who have access to School Board facilities.

For complete procedures on Non-Discrimination, Non-Harassment, and Grievances, contact any school administrator or the Equity Contacts listed above.

Reasonable accommodations are available for persons with disabilities to complete the application and/or interview process. Applicants/individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may contact the District’s ADA Officer at the following address for assistance: 

Michele Polk
Director of Human Resources
1009 N 6th Avenue, Wauchula, FL, 33873 
Phone Number: 863-767-0662 
Email: mpolk@hardee.k12.fl.us