Index
The Substitute Teachers Caucus advocates within the National Education Association for
- Organizing substitutes
- Improving working
conditions - Increasing respect
and communication - Promoting quality
public education
The Not So Distant Past
“The substitute educator pool is quickly dwindling and replacements are hard to find,”says former NEA President Reg Weaver. “Unfortunately, the essence of the job itself is the biggest recruitment hurdle. Low pay, poor training, lack of benefits and inadequate professional support reduces the number of available substitute teachers.”
“There was a time when substitute teachers were considered hired babysitters, but those days are gone,” says Weaver. “With today’s focus on standardized test scores, schools are taking a closer look at who’s teaching children when the permanent teacher is out. Sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder,” says Weaver. “In this case, I believe the substitute teacher shortage has created a new appreciation for skilled substitute teachers.” Comments of October 27, 2005
