Guest Teacher Program - Winter 2027

• Decide Where and When You Want to Teach!!!
  
  

The Guest Teacher Program is a service the CLIU offers to the community and our local school districts. Individuals who have obtained a bachelor's degree from an accredited college may apply to participate in the program. The program's purpose is to provide quality substitute training to individuals with limited or no teaching experience. The program is conducted in order to provide participating Districts and Career and Technical Institutes with trained substitute teachers. Each Guest Teacher exits the program with the basic understanding to be a substitute teacher on a day-to-day basis and an emergency permit issued by the PA Department of Education (PDE) which makes the Guest Teacher eligible to substitute teach in any participating District and Career and Technical Institutes. The opportunities are rewarding and gratifying.

Important Dates - Guest Teacher Program - Winter 2027Deadline to ApplyFriday, October 2, 2026Interviews

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 and Thursday, September 24, 2026

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 and Thursday October 15, 2026

TrainingWednesday December 2, 2026 & Thursday December 3, 2026Final Paperwork Packets DueFriday, January 8, 2027Meet and GreetWednesday, January 13, 2026Application OpenMonday, August 24, 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 September 30, 2026.
  
  

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 September 23, 2026, September 24, 2026, October 14, 2026 or October 15, 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 December 2, 2026 & December 3, 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 January 13, 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.