Page 27 - EdViewptsSpring2020

Recruiting and Retaining

Quality Substitutes

By Meredith Thomas, District Gifted and Talented Specialist,

Holmdel Township Schools

Substitute teachers’ impact data I collected during my research, tial new hires. The new generation of
on curriculum and school substitute teachers who feel motivated employees values self-improvement
to return to work every day, also feel
and marketability more than they value
climate is significant. underappreciated, underengaged, and security in their jobs (Justin Sachs).
The average student spends eight disrespected in the classroom. After While using SafeSchools or similar vid-
days of every school year with a sub- surveying and dialoguing with 50+ eo training and orientation modules is
stitute teacher. Although this number substitute teachers, and researching convenient and efficient, there really is
may seem inconsequential, over the approaches in school districts around no replacement for face to face interac-
course of a child’s school career, this the country, I’ve compiled some strate- tion, especially in the field of education.
amounts to more than half a school gies that will develop teaching skills One such way of engaging substitutes
year. Furthermore, culture and morale of substitutes, build rapport between in this face to face time is to invite them
in a school is affected by teacher at- teachers and substitutes, and make to your already-scheduled professional
tendance – especially if teachers feel your school a desirable pursuit for development days.
anxious about what goes on in their substitute teachers. Most substitutes I interviewed have
classrooms when they need to take a 1. Adequately Train and had very little training on educational
day off. Substitute teachers are feeling technology, including how to use the
overworked and overwhelmed, likely Support Substitute Teachers District tech equipment. Professional
due to the critical, nationwide short- School districts that can offer self- Development Day is a great opportu-
age, combined with minimal training improvement and ongoing training to nity to show substitutes how to use the
and experience in education. And, substitutes are very attractive to poten- technology, as well as provide them
based on both formal and informal with educational websites, tools and

Educational Viewpoints -25- Spring 2020