MANSFIELD, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—As the 2025-2026 school year approaches, the demand for substitute teachers is on the rise, prompting the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center to seek individuals for area school districts. These roles offer a flexible work schedule while supporting student learning.
Jennifer Reed, Human Resource Director at Mid-Ohio ESC, emphasized the critical role substitutes play in education. “When a substitute teacher can’t be found, schools will often ask full-time teachers to give up their planning hours in order to fill in,” Reed said. “This has a negative impact on the teacher’s ability to plan their class effectively, ultimately affecting students as well. Substitute teachers step in and lighten that load while ensuring that each student receives quality instruction while their formal teacher is away.”
New legislation, House Bill 583, provides school districts with more flexibility in hiring substitute teachers. Each district can now set its own educational requirements by adopting a resolution through its local Board of Education, meaning qualifications may vary between districts.
Mid-Ohio ESC encourages interested individuals to contact specific school districts to learn about their current requirements.
To work within Mid-Ohio ESC’s client districts, candidates must submit a Substitute Teacher application, available at www.moesc.net under the Human Resources “Substitute” tab. The application fee has been waived for the 2025-2026 school year. Candidates also need a current BCI/FBI background check, with fingerprinting services available at the Mid-Ohio ESC office for a fee.
After applying with Mid-Ohio ESC, candidates must apply for a substitute teacher license through the Ohio Department of Education, unless they already hold a current teaching license. This step should only be completed after finishing the Mid-Ohio ESC process.
For questions, potential candidates can call Mid-Ohio ESC at 419-774-5520 or email sub@moesc.net.
Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center provides academic and support services, including professional development, to 13 school districts and over 20,000 students across Crawford, Morrow, and Richland Counties. Services include curriculum, gifted and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.