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Improving the Substitute Teaching Experience

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Substantial is a national nonprofit on a mission to unlock the potential of substitute teaching.

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HELLO!

Jessie Weiser (she/her)

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How can we create a positive experience for substitute teachers?

Agenda

  1. Introduction
  2. Idea Generation
  3. Action Planning
  4. Conclusion

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1.

Introduction

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*Pre-Pandemic Stat*

By the time they graduate, students will have spent a full year of their k12 education with subs.

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How Substitute Teaching Works Today

It’s the original gig job.

A centralized pool of subs who choose when and where to work.

  • Huge range in skills and experience
  • Little or no training, support, or supervision
  • No career path, low pay, no benefits

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Think, Pair, Share!

What - and who - influences whether your substitute teachers are having a positive experience?

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We Need Substitute Teaching to Be a Positive Experience

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Higher Need & Fewer Subs

Source: IES School Pulse Panel

44% of schools reported one or more vacancies in October 2022.

72% of principals say teacher absence is up since pandemic.

60% of principals say it is MUCH more difficult to find a sub since the pandemic.

73% of principals say they cover unstaffed classrooms.

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Preserving a Teacher Pipeline

Source: Substantial & Red Rover - National Substitute Survey

At least one third of subs are aspiring teachers

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Our Larger Context:

Multiple Pressing Challenges

Teacher Shortage

Recovering Learning Loss

Persistent Opportunity Gap

When substitute teaching isn’t working well, it intensifies - and makes it harder to address - all of these challenges.

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We Need Substitute Teaching to Be a Positive Experience

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2.

Idea Generation

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Positive Job Experience Framework

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Pair/Share Reflection

Why is it challenging to create the same experiences/conditions for subs?

How do you know that your work matters?

How do you know you are getting better at your work?

How do you know that people care about you at work?

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The Missing Manager (& Leader)

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The Missing Manager (& Leader)

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Community Conversation

How can we create opportunities for meaning, mastery & community for subs?

What is your school system already doing?

What would make a difference?

Levers

  • Policy
  • Technology
  • Culture

Levels

  • State
  • District
  • School

Control & Influence

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Gallery Walk

Which ideas are inspiring to you?

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3.

Action Planning

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This School Year: Gather Data

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This Summer: Pick a Project

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Resource Folder

https://tinyurl.com/OSPASubstantial

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Enhance

Onboarding

  • Review Systems

  • Add Skills-Training & Professional Learning�
  • Plan for Subs Covering Vacancies

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Develop a Communications

Plan

  • Create a Newsletter Template / Outline

  • Schedule Appreciation Activities / Messages

  • Set Up A Feedback Loop

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Prepare a “Best Practices” Kit for Schools

  • Outline Expectations for Supporting Subs

  • Share Best Practices for Sub Plans & Binders

  • List Relevant Resources

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4.

Conclusion

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THANKS!

Any questions?

You can find me at jessie@substantialclassrooms.org