Schoolwide Sub Shortage: Broward County’s dramatic decrease of substitute teachers

Broward County’s dramatic decrease of substitute teachers Broward County’s dramatic decrease of substitute teachers

“Supposedly, if the teacher doesn’t show in the next 15 minutes, class is over.” That’s a saying that has been heard by students significantly more this year. Students have been left outside classrooms after the bell rings in search of teacher guidance. Many have been questioned by security guards, mainly confused that a crowd of teenagers is hanging outside a teacher’s door. Usually, the answer lies with the substitute teacher shortages at Broward County Schools. Because of these extreme shortages, many teachers and staff have experienced being called in during their planning period to cover for a class. “My class was left outside in the hallway for a while and no one knew what was going on,” freshman Rachel Jacob said. “A security guard approached us asking what the situation was and no one in my class knew how to respond besides that we had no teacher or sub. But we had the teacher next door take us in during his planning period and I felt bad. It caused him to have to do extra attendance and deal with all the kids that needed passes from him to leave so they could finish tests, from not only his class but from mine.” For many substitute teachers that have quit or plan on leaving, the main reasons for their absences lie around the covid pandemic. The substitute salary that is disputed amongst subs in Broward County has remained the same, the hourly rate ranges from $12 to $15 an hour. The time and inconvenience are considered stressful, hence the reason why many have opted to leave. “For the many years I’ve been working there has been no increase in our pay,” substitute teacher Dr. Newton said. “It’s not worth the hassle, especially with subs that are concerned about COVID-19. It can be hazardous, but every now and then we see a new face, but then don’t see them again.” The concern for covid has skyrocketed after the mask mandate was lifted. Catching a virus doesn’t make the job seem as much as a catch to

“If the teacher doesn’t show in the next 15 apply. During the last two years, it minutes, class is over.” That’s a saying that has been has been reported that all throughout heard by students significantly more this year. Broward County substitutes were in need Students have been left outside classrooms to cover the 87% of vacant Teachers. after the bell rings in search of teacher guidance. Many principals and teachers have Many have been questioned by security guards, no other choice but to rely on other teachers’ mainly confused that a crowd of teenagers is help to provide coverage for these students. hanging outside a teacher’s door. Usually, the “Because of the recent shortage, when a answer lies with the substitute teacher shortages at fellow coworker of mine had to leave on a Broward County Schools. last-minute family emergency because we had no Because of these extreme shortages, many one to take over the class, she had no other choice teachers and staff have experienced being called in but to rely on me,” Griffin Elementary School during their planning period to cover for a class. second grade teacher Staci Alderman said. “It “My class was left outside in the hallway was extremely chaotic and frustrating having for a while and no one knew what was going on,” to handle around forty students in one room.” freshman Rachel Jacob said. “A security guard Students’ behavior and attitude approached us asking what the situation was and no toward substitute teachers play a massive one in my class knew how to respond besides that role in the lack of subs. Children tend to we had no teacher or sub. But we had the teacher act out or be disrespectful towards a sub. next door take us in during his planning period The authority established between a and I felt bad. It caused him to have to do extra new sub and a student has yet to be developed. attendance and deal with all the kids that needed Therefore, students are much more likely to passes from him to leave so they could finish tests, break normal class rules that would apply if their from not only his class but from mine.” teacher were present, making the substitute For many substitute teachers that have teacher become the classroom punching bag quit or plan on leaving, the main reasons for their to deal with students’ inappropriate behavior. absences lie around the COVID-19 pandemic. “Whenever we are given a sub, the The substitute salary that is disputed students in the class are always taking advantage amongst subs in Broward County has remained the of them,” sophomore Lexi Holman said. “The same as, the hourly rate is $15 an hour. The time pay that subs receive is not worth the hassle that and inconvenience are considered stressful, hence is given for them to take on, especially if they the reason why many have opted to leave. are risking any illnesses that they can potentially “For the many years I’ve been working spread to themselves and or their family.” there has been no increase in our pay,” substitute The substitute teachers are extremely teacher Dr. Newton said. “It’s not worth the hassle, limited and understaffed at CCHS. Every now especially with subs that are concerned about and then, one may see a new face appear, but there COVID-19. It can be hazardous, but every now and haven’t been any new permanent subs. Similar then we see a new face, but then don’t see to the lunch staff issue, throughout Broward them again.” County, the struggle to find people to work is a The concern for COVID-19 has skyrocketed challenge, especially with the harsh conditions after the mask mandate was lifted. Catching a for anyone making minimum wage to take on. virus doesn’t make the job seem as much as a catch to apply. During the last two years, it has been reported that all throughout Broward County substitutes were in need to cover the 87% of vacant teachers according a Sun Sentinel article. BY ASHLYN COHEN Many principals and teachers have no other choice but to rely on other teachers’ help to provide coverage for these students. “Because of the recent shortage, when a fellow coworker of mine had to leave on a last-minute family emergency because we had no one to take over the class, she had no other choice but to rely on me,” Griffin Elementary School second grade teacher Staci Alderman said. “It was extremely chaotic and frustrating having to handle around forty students in one room.” Students’ behavior and attitude toward substitute teachers play a massive role in the lack of subs. Children tend to act out or be disrespectful towards a sub. The authority established between a new sub and a student has yet to be developed. Therefore, students are much more likely to break normal class rules that would apply if their teacher were present, making the substitute teacher become the classroom punching bag to deal with students’ inappropriate behavior. “Whenever we are given a sub, the students in the class are always taking advantage of them,” sophomore Lexi Holman said. “The pay that subs receive is not worth the hassle that is given for them to take on, especially if they are risking any illnesses that they can potentially spread to themselves and or their family.” The substitute teachers are extremely limited and understaffed at CCHS. Every now and then, one may see a new face appear, but there haven’t been any new permanent subs. Similar to the lunch staff issue, throughout Broward County, the struggle to find people to work is a challenge, especially with the harsh conditions for anyone making minimum wage to take on. “Despite the difficulties, we are fortunate and grateful that we have a handful of substitute teachers that love our school and come here each school day,” Office Manager Idania Rodriguez said. “They have made a positive impact through their hard work and dedication.” BY ASHLYN COHEN