Focus 3 Project

Supporting Substitute Teachers In The Classroom (and keeping them alive)

 Project Focus: Building Support in the District Office for Substitute Teachers (Focus 3)

 Project Description:

I will present the proposal to the district office to ask that the website become sanctioned by the district as a valuable resource.

 Project Artifacts:

1.       I will survey substitute teachers on how the website was helpful.

2.       I will present my website idea via a whitepaper presentation (a written analysis of the situation with recommendations).

 Project Timeline:

All deadlines apply; the presentation will take place before the final deadline.

 

 

What I Did:

 

I created a White Paper presentation of the needs that are not being met and a solution to the problem.  The issues facing substitute teachers was considered and a resource created to meet the shortcomings inherent in companies with temporary staff.

 

 

What I Learned:

 

School districts have a desire to better the education of the children that they are in charge of and providing resources to temporary staff that have an impact on the children is as important as maintaining a structured daily schedule.  There are many stakeholders in education and the desire to improve education and our youths opportunities are tantamount.

 

 

 

White Paper Presentation

 

Presented to the Coachella Valley Unified School District

Office of Personnel

 

Why You Need A Resource For Substitute Teachers

Using a website to communicate available resources.

 

 

Introduction:

 

With the need for substitute teachers growing due to teacher absences caused by illness, jury duty, maternity leave and staff development training sessions, it is necessary to begin to develop resources for your growing ranks of available substitutes.

 

 

Background/Problems:

 

As a long time substitute teacher I have witnessed firsthand how overwhelming it can easily become in a classroom full of children for an unprepared substitute teacher.  The limited resources and support that substitutes currently receive, or a lack of support, are a fundamental reason why substitutes are only thought of as “baby sitters” and why little if any thought is given to providing support and other necessary resources.

 

 

Solution:

 

Having a single resource to provide information, guidance and specific examples to substitute teachers allows them to be better prepared for the hectic and short lived day of the substitute teacher.  The constantly changing environment in which substitutes operate in leaves these assets feeling out of their depth.

 

 

Advertisement:

 

Using the resource www.HelpforSubs.com is both convenient and useful.  This resource is specifically tailored for the substitute teachers of the Coachella Valley and provides many necessary tools in one convenient place.  There are grade specific links for activities, a downloadable lesson plan that can be tailored for certain holidays or subjects, information on what steps to take to become a credentialed, and employed, full time teacher, and other useful resources.

 

 

Conclusion:

 

Understanding that the changing dynamic of your K-12 schools is constantly frustrating and wearisome to your substitute teachers can lead to a better understanding of what can be done to improve performance and as a result have a well equipped and talented pool of temporary staff.  A resource such as www.HelpforSubs.com is a good example of what you want when it comes to supporting your substitute teachers.