Training substitutes

Many school districts, particularly smaller ones, have difficulty finding substitutes willing to fill in when a regular teacher is absent. Last year, the Cape Girardeau School District raised pay for substitute teachers substantially -- to $70 per day from $50-- in an attempt to help alleviate the shortage.

At the time, the district had a list of 60 substitutes and days when 40 were needed. But not every substitute wants to work every day he or she is called or in every school. Long-term substitutes who fill in when a teacher is on maternity leave or out because of an extended illness are in great demand. So are substitutes to work with special education students.

In an attempt to combat the shortage, this summer Southeast Missouri State University will begin offering a certification program for substitute teachers and teacher assistants. The 60 hours of college credit will yield a certificate and will apply toward a four-year degree.

Maintaining control of a class and getting some teaching done are some of the challenges faced by any substitute teacher. Training substitutes how to accomplish those feats will be an advantage to both the teachers and the schools.