As schools work to reopen this fall, districts worry about substitute teaching shortage

As schools work to get students back in the classroom, school districts are working with uncertainty as they expect there to be a significant shortage of substitute teachers.

FUTURE.NOW THERE'SUNCERTANTY FORSCHOOLS IFTEACHERS GET SICK -AND WHAT WILLHAPPEN IF THERE'SNOT A SUBSTITUTE TOTAKE OVER A CLASS.DAN GROSSMAN HASTHE STORY.As a mother of 4 KathrynBarrett has found herselfat a crossroads5:36 mom "There's just alot of unknown right nowfor substitutes"One that pits her love forher career as a substituteteacher in Florida againstthe safety of herself andher family4:43 "I love my job.

Iknow a lot of subs say it'snot worth it to go back-we make just aboveminimum wage."Right now it is acrossroads beingnavigated by countlesssubstitute teachersnationwide as they try toget back into theclassroom- and it has thepotential to worsen aproblem that has beengrowing since well beforethe pandemic13:20 "it's amathematical certaintythat we'll be opening upschools without enoughteachers."Nicola Soares (Suarezpronunciation) isPresident of KellyEducation- a substituteteacher recruiting firm.In the mid-2000's- thegroup says 10 percent ofincoming collegefreshmen were pursuinga degree in education.Today- that number haddropped by more thanhalf- to 4 and a halfpercent.Add in the fact that manysubstitute teachers areolder retirees- they mightchoose not to come backbecause of the healthrisks.It's one of many reasonswhy Kelly Educationestimates teachervacancy rates willincrease by 50% and theneed for subs will rise bymore than 70%.7:52 expert "we've beenworking around the clockanticipating what thatdemand was going to be.And I think every singleschool district is going torequire substituteteachers"To incentivize subs-states have adjusted.

InIowa the governorsuspended the limit onhow long a sub canteach a certain class anddecreased the minimumage requirement from 21to 20- hoping furloughedworkers or recent gradsmay look to subbing asan alternative4:25 mom "what if I getsick?

I don't have anymedical insurancethrough Kelly services-so will I be on my own for14 days while I'mquarantining?"Only more uncertaintythis mother weighs andmanages as she decidesthe future of herself andfamilyI'm Dan GrossmanreportingSuggested Super:GETTING BACK TOSCHOOLSAFELY/DEALING WITHA LACK OFSUBSTITUTESRUNS= 1:57ANCHOR INTRO=UNCERTAINTY HASRULED THE COVIDPANDEMIC.UNCERTAINTY WITHINCOME, JOBS..

THEFUTURE.NOW THERE'SUNCERTANTY FORSCHOOLS IF