CLAY COUNTY – Schools are facing a massive shortage, and this time it’s their most important asset – their teachers.

Teachers call out. They have doctors’ appointments, illnesses or things happening in their own personal lives. With the pandemic, there’s another level of stress added on top of everything else that teachers must face. When a teacher is exposed to COVID-19, or suspects they might be sick, it’s common protocol to stay out of class for a week. This gives them enough time to make sure that a covid test comes back negative.

That’s where substitute teachers come in.

Substitute teachers are the liaison between teachers and the classroom when teachers cannot attend. There is a stereotype that substitutes don’t care, and just put a movie on or let the students run wild. Thankfully, this is completely outdated. Because of the changes in curriculum, there’s no time for a free day.

Teachers, especially in lower grades like elementary and middle schools, often leave full lesson plans. When a substitute comes into class, they come in with no knowledge of the class. Substitutes have to adapt to a lesson plan before the students come into the class.

The school district uses a third-party resource to hire subs. But even with what seems like an endless supply of postings through the substitute program, there often are days when schools are scrambling to fill spots. The Clay County School Board has even had to rely on its own teachers to fill vacancies.

Teachers with an open planning period are often called into substitute in another teacher’s class. Though they get paid for filling in for their co-worker, that means that they give up a valuable planning period which is often used to plan their own lessons or grade assignments. A pay bonus has incentivized substitutes who take on jobs at schools most in need of subs. However; even with all of that, many schools such as Bannerman, several elementary schools, and a few junior high schools, are desperate for substitute teachers to fill in.

The requirements to become a substitute teacher are thorough, but not unattainable

. An applicant needs to pass a background check into their criminal background and must complete an intensive course on classroom management, child safety, and teaching resources. The county requires all substitutes to have completed at least 60 credit hours from an accredited university, and pay increases based on the level of education held by the applicant.

Substitutes must be fingerprinted and must complete an orientation process with the branch office of the network, but after completing everything and submitting all paperwork, substitutes can start teaching as soon as their supervisor emails them their access codes to the scheduling site.

The benefits of substitute teaching are immeasurable. You allow students to continue learning when their teacher is away. You have a flexible schedule where you only have to work the days that you schedule for yourself. With the incentives and bonuses right now, it’s a great time to help the school district, and ease the stress of some of the community’s most important members.

If you are interested in becoming a substitute teacher, visit the Clay County School District website and look for instructional opportunities. The substitute teacher tab will provide you with all the requirements needed, and access to the third-party scheduling office to apply and schedule an interview.