The Monroe County School Corporation is working to address a shortage of substitute teachers.
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Andrea Mobley says the district currently has seven “long term” guest teachers. These are licensed teachers who fill in for those on long term medical leave.
Mobley says the corporation has 200 active guest teachers or para-professionals, but many of them can’t fill in on short notice because of other commitments. On a typical day, 60 guest teachers may be needed to fill in throughout the county, with Friday being the busiest day.
Mobley says MCCSC is reaching out to IU’s School of Education to recruit students to serve as guest teachers.
“Not only would this help fill positions but it would also provide real experience,” Mobley says in an e-mail.
“Last year, we created the Guest Paraprofessional position with a minimum age requirement of 18 years and a high school diploma or equivalent,” says Mobley.
This was an attempt to attract college students, those just out of high school, or older adults who may not have the college experience, but are interested in being guest paraprofessionals.
To be a guest teacher, applicants are required to be 21 years of age and have 24 college credits, recently reduced from 60 credits.
Mobley says to make up for a shortage of guest teachers, administrators and principals have filled in. On some occasions schools also combine classes to make up for the shortfall, or pull teachers away from prep time to cover a class.
Mobley says she’s spoken with other administrators around the state who also say their districts are struggling with a shortage of guest teachers.
MCCSC holds monthly orientations for guest teachers, the next session is Nov. 7 at 10 a.m.
