Wednesday, April 17, 2002
|
Wednesday, April 17, 2002 |
|
Week Designated in Honor of Substitute Teachers Substitute teachers provide a vital service to school systems and their students. In order to show appreciation for those educators who give of their time to assist the Fayette County School System in delivering a seamless quality education to its students, schools throughout the county are being encouraged to pay special recognition to substitute teachers during SubWeek. Initiated by the Substitute Teaching Institute at Utah State University, SubWeek, also known as National Substitute Teacher Recognition Week, is a nationwide effort to recognize the approximately 270,000 men and women who fill in for absent permanent teachers every day in the United States. Intended to be an annual designation observed the first full week of May, SubWeek kicks-off May 6-10. Fayette County has approximately 675 substitute teachers registered inits SubFinder system, with some having worked with the system for almost 20 years. Carole King, who has substituted in the county since 1985 at Sandy Creek High School, says she cannot imagine doing anything else. When she first moved to Fayette, King sought a full-time teaching position with the school system but there were no openings so she decided to become a substitute and she never looked back. "I like having different students and classes everyday. It is never boring," she says. "Substitute teaching is a great way to give back to the community by doing something that is worthwhile and fulfilling." Paula Johnson, a former elementary school teacher, became a substitute with the Fayette County School System almost 10 years ago. She began substituting prior to coming to Fayette because her husband's job required her family to frequently relocate. Now that she has settled in one area she says she cannot think of a better job than substitute teaching. "I could do other things but I really enjoy working with the kids and watching them develop," says Johnson who mainly substitutes at Braelinn Elementary School. "This job can be a challenge but I have found that the more you do, the more confidence you get." Substituting is no easy task. Often people tend to overlook the challenge it is to take over a classroom from a permanent teacher and attempt to provide a valuable education. Nonetheless, there are many people, like King and Johnson, who make a commitment every day to take on the challenge and do their best to continue the educational process. "Substitutes are there for the safety of the child first and then to move the educational process forward," says Candy Kreitner, substitute teacher services specialist for Fayette County. "It is important to take time to say 'thank you' and show our substitutes that we really appreciate what they are doing for our students." Although substitute teaching may seem like a thankless job, King says she doesn't think so. She says she receives a lot of encouragement from other teachers at Sandy Creek and would recommend becoming a substitute to anyone who wanted to get involved in education. "We need more people who are willing to be substitute teachers and who want to help children. I could have tried for a full-time job but I think I am needed most as a substitute," King adds. Kreitner says people become substitutes for a number of reasons. Some are interested in a career in education and use substitute teaching as a way to find what grade level they like the best while others see it as a great way to get involved in their child's school. In addition, many retired people, including former educators, keep active by signing up to substitute in their community.
|
||