There was an article in the Record-Bee recently announcing the Konocti Unified School District was hosting a meeting to recruit more substitute teachers. In the past weeks the Santa Rosa paper also ran a story about substitute teacher shortfalls in Sonoma County. Being a professional substitute teacher myself, I took an interest in the subject.
I started as a substitute teacher in Contra Costa County in 1977, then took a 33 year hiatus to teach full time high school science, first at Northgate High School in Walnut Creek, then at Upper Lake High School. I resumed subbing in 2012 in Kelseyville, Lakeport, Ukiah, and Upper Lake High School Districts. Here are some things I believe would make this occupation more appealing:
1. For county offices: Reduce paperwork. All fingerprinting is done digitally now, so I see no reason why substitutes who cross county lines, as I do, should be put to the time and expense of being fingerprinted separately in each county.
2. For school districts: Pay commensurate with professional status.
3. For administrators: Routinely monitor classrooms with substitute teachers for student cooperation and effective instruction. Adjust school bells so they are coordinated with published clock readings. Some schools have class dismissal bells that ring over a minute before the indicated scheduled time. This undercuts the substitute”s ability to bring the class to an orderly conclusion. The substitute manual should also include in bold print the numbers to call for emergencies in discipline, maintenance/custodial services, and minor student health needs.
4. For teachers: Have a seating chart for students that can be read right side up from the teacher”s station and that includes students” last names. This expedites roll taking. Also, students who know they can be identified by name on a referral are far less likely to engage in disruptive behavior. Insist that students identify their assignments with both first and last names, as this aids the substitute to distinguish individuals. Have an established location where finished assignments can be submitted.
In general, schools and classes where my advice to administrators and teachers is already in effect provide a much less stressful and more rewarding experience.
Steve Harness, Witter Spring
