Let's not be too hasty in setting standards for substitute teachers

A topic was recently in the news that touched a nerve, and I would like to address it now. Local parents were upset to learn that substitute teachers in some districts of Colorado Springs were not required to hold a degree as a basis for being hired. The reason for the parents' argument is that students right out of high school were being hired to fill these substitute positions. The parents felt that these employees were too close in age to the students, therefore, not able to overlook the peer relationship and establish authority.

I agree. There certainly is the strong possibility that an 18- year-old might be too close in age and maturity to maintain a proper relationship with the student body. I have only one problem with this situation. Parents, don't you think that if we were to decide to only hire substitutes with bachelor's degrees or higher that we could be limiting the availability of substitutes in an already desperate situation? A recent article on the Internet, written by Jeanne Ponessa at Education Week on the Web, cited this substitute shortage as a growing, nationwide problem.

I am a parent and a substitute teacher. I do not hold a bachelor's degree; however, I am currently attending school to obtain my teaching certificate. I certainly agree that we should constantly be on the lookout for staff who are not suitable for our school systems, but to make a set rule for all could affect everyone involved in some very negative ways.

I have been a substitute teacher for almost two years now and I thoroughly enjoy what I do. I embrace the opportunity to work with children. While substituting, I have been able to create my own style of teaching and discover which techniques are effective and which ones are not. These skills will give me a valuable leg up upon entering the teaching profession when I become certified. I do feel that as much as I am getting out of this situation, the children are benefiting greatly as well. I bring to the classroom enthusiasm and a desire to develop rapport with the children. They respond beautifully and everyone benefits. Upon attaining my teaching certificate, I will have a working knowledge of the classroom, my community's system and how it operates. I will have been able to decide firsthand where and what I want to teach and I will have established rapport with the faculty and gained valuable contacts.

Parents, instead of concentrating on what level of education the substitutes in schools have, why don't we examine the interviewing and background checking that is going on in the hiring of the substitutes? We may just find that this could be an area that needs some tightening up. Shouldn't we be able to determine those fit to teach our children and those who are not through thorough background checks and interviews? Perhaps at this level we could implement an age requirement or measurement of maturity and experience to help us determine likely candidates for substituting. Let's not cut ourselves short of valuable help in a field that is already short-staffed. We need to keep those substitutes who want to be there doing a service to the community, and most of all, the children.

Substitute teaching is not the easiest job in the world. Fortunately, we have the wonderful support of all of the faculty and staff. It would help to know that we have the support of the parents as well. After all, we do all have to work together in order to ensure that everything is being done to see that our children are growing and developing in a nurturing and educational environment.

I love substitute teaching and am grateful for the opportunity. Being a parent myself, I do understand the need to be sure that everyone who is involved with our children have the requirements, love and understanding necessary to properly accomplish the job. I do not think that holding a degree, in this situation, determines those qualifications. There are plenty of people out there who are qualified without holding a degree. There are also probably those out there who hold degrees and are not suited for the position. Before we make any decisions on requirements to become a substitute teacher, let's stop and think about this. Are those young subs hired just out of high school the exception to the majority? Should not their immaturity and incompetence, if that was their case, have been determined upon a thorough interview? Or are we just being overly sensitive to the whole situation? Parents, I ask that you think about this issue strongly before you decide to cut qualified staff out of the picture just because they haven't earned their degree.

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