GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Substitute teachers were not easy to find before the pandemic and now, the problem is even worse, as many substitutes won’t be returning to school this year.
Wisconsin Department of Instruction’s director of licensing, David DeGuire, said, “there were a lot of retired teachers that would substitute in the district they worked, but now because they’re in a group that’s more of a risk of serious outcomes.”
Finding replacements for teachers who might have to quarantine is another concern.
CESA 7 business development director Aaron Malczewski tells FOX 11….
“they still have to have somebody who is certified in that classroom with students.”
Which is one reason many districts are starting the year virtually. Once districts have enough substitutes available, Malczewski says they can consider bringing students back.
“if they’re not ramping up their sub pool they need to be because once we go back in person I can only imagine that need for subs is going to be great.”
Districts all over Northeast Wisconsin are actively recruiting substitutes to increase their pool, including Green Bay, Appleton and Oshkosh.
Oshkosh Area School District superintendent Vickie Cartwright tells FOX 11…
“if there’s anybody that would love to come work for the Oshkosh Public School District as a substitute teacher we would love to have you apply.”
And according to Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction, there are plenty of people who can apply. The state’s data shows there were 120,000 licensed teachers last year. Only 60,000 were working in Wisconsin Public Schools.
“There are still a lot of people out there who could be subbing and just have chosen not to,” said DeGuire.
But there are still some people who are. Patrick Evans tells FOX 11 he feels comfortable teaching in-person.
“this is now the fall of 2020 where the school districts have had time to devise plans and put training together so I’m extremely comfortable with it.”
Evans will be subbing in-person for Howard-Suamico and Ashwaubenon schools.
Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction requires substitute teachers to have an associate’s degree or higher.
Subs also have to complete an approved training program.
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