weregoingtodw said:Correct - our district has specific teachers who 'float' just for such long-term absences.
Also correct. That's the bare minimum as required by our state. However, our district can - and does - pick the more qualified candidates for the substitute positions, because they realize how important it is for our district to continue to do well on our scores.
Of course I realized that - I researched this district thoroughly. If a teacher goes on maternity leave (or is out more than twenty days for any other reason), a long-term substitute teacher is employed from the first day of the primary teacher's absence. Long-term substitutes must either hold current state certification or be eligible for such certification. I've not seen them actually have to hire outside in our particular district, however, as the district has several accredited teachers who only do substitute work. We're fortunate in that 76% of our district's teachers are pursuing or have completed graduate level work; of those, 45% have at least a master's degree. Substitute positions are highly competitive around here, and teachers are allowed to request certain subs, so a teacher can find a sub who is the best fit for her particular class.
My DD's class substitute has a bachelor's degree in education and her master's in social work, and is eligible for full-time teaching in our district if she desired. However, she's a SAHM and happy to just do the part-time gigs, so she'll only sub in our elementary school - she doesn't go to other schools in the district.
Sounds great! I'm glad you are happy with your schools. We purposely moved here to be near this school campus. Houses sell within a day here because everyone wants in. I wouldn't trade it for the world. We are very satisfied.
