How to Support Substitute Teachers

This week’s evidence is on a topic I have not addressed before – how to support substitute teachers. This is a critical issue for many of our clients, some of whom are staffed 50% by long-term (or a series of short-term) substitute teachers.  The evidence is from Edutopia (https://www.edutopia.org/article/supporting-substitute-teachers/), and some of the key findings include:

1)    The average student in the US will spend a full year of learning with a substitute teacher, and in some districts that we serve, that percentage is much higher.

2)    When administrators value and support substitute teachers, they can enlarge the pipeline of people who become certified full-time teachers.

3)    30% of substitute teachers have a bachelor’s degree and could be quickly transitioned to full-time teaching if only we provide them with the support and professional learning they need.  We should insist that our clients include substitute teachers in the professional learning that we provide rather than just have subs cover ordinary duties.

4)    Subs need the basics – badges, keys to the bathroom, emergency plans, etc.

5)    Anticipate long-term leaves by teachers and have them coordinate with the substitute in advance of the leave.  

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