With a nationwide teacher shortage going on, the battle continues to have enough substitute teachers available all around. And Vermilion County Regional Schools Superintendent Aaron Hird says a state law passed a few years ago could certainly help. It allows college students, who already have a two-year Associates Degree, or a full 60 credit hours halfway to a Bachelor’s Degree, to receive a short term sub license to be able to substitute when needed.
Hird says, with students coming home soon for break, or maybe even finishing up mid-term and staying home for a while, this could a great opportunity. Hird says a lot of fully licensed substitute teachers are being asked to take long term substitute roles right now. And that means, more are needed to fill the short term roles.
AUDIO: When you take those individuals out of your sub pool, you’re left with a lot fewer people. And so that’s why we’re just trying to get the word out that there are other ways that someone can get either a substitute license, or what’s called a “short term sub license.” And the short term is for someone who that either has an Associates or 60 hours. Someone who has a Bacholor’s can get a regular substitute license.
For the record, that state law allowing the short term license to those with an Associate’s or halfway to a Bachelor’s Degree sunsets in 2023, unless it’s extended by state legislators; which right now certainly looks possible. Those that are interested need to call the Regional Office of Education and speak with licensing specialist Cameron, at 217-431-2668.
