WHO ARE “SUBSTITUTE EDUCATORS”?

Substitute Educators include all school employees without regular assignments, paid by districts to work in schools. Substitute Educators work when regular employees are absent or when schools need extra help. Substitute Teachers are most, but not all, of the “substitutes” in schools. Varieties of Substitute Educators include, but are not limited to, substitute teachers, secretaries, and instructional assistants (paraprofessionals).

Nearly every school employee needs and gets “substitutes”. Most of the school employees active in education unions have been a Substitute Educator of some kind at some time in their school employment: so they know what school substitutes are expected to do and about the challenges of their working conditions and pay!

Substitute Educators have many reasons for choosing to substitute in schools. Many have other sources of income (a main job; self-employment; small business; artistry; or pension). Many have home care responsibilities and cannot work full time. Many enjoy not having to work everyday (!): they have the chance to return “rested up” for those tough assignments that some Substitute Educators actually prefer, with their dedication to “making a difference”.

Traditionally, the majority of Substitute Educators are seeking or would welcome regular assignment. Regretably, pay for substitute educators almost always lags behind reasonable equity compared to the often already low-paying jobs for which they substitute. And almost all Substitute Educators work without employer health insurance. Few receive extensive substitute-specific training or professional development. Still, they are expected to step into a wide variety of positions and situations.

Substitute Educators are accustomed to and must be accustomed to changes. Those who continue, step with some confidence into the unknown; each day they take a certain pride in their adaptability and flexible use of wits. Probably not one grew up with the intention of being a Substitute Educator “one day”-- tho many really love their job!