Caring Adults Needed to Fill a Need for Substitute Teachers

If you are 21 years or older, have a high school diploma or equivalent and enjoy working with children, Pueblo School District 60 wants to share a rewarding opportunity with you.

The district is seeking additional substitute teachers for the upcoming spring semester. With pay ranging from $100 to $150 a day, substitutes can work as many as four days per week in one of the district’s 30 schools.

Substitute teachers play a critical role in maintaining the continuity of instruction for students. This year, in light of the global pandemic, the process for becoming a substitute teacher has been streamlined by the Colorado Department of Education.

The ideal candidate will be confident, professional, courteous, attentive and have good communication skills, with some experience working with youth a plus. Substitutes have the responsibility of administering the absent teacher’s learning plan while keeping students engaged and involved.

The position is a good fit for retirees, college students, part-time workers, stay-at home parents, and those with flexible schedules.

Candidates should be prepared to work within the traditional classroom setting as well as engage with students remotely, also from the classroom.

“We are emphasizing the in-person learning environment,” explained Andy Burns, the district’s director of human resources. “So we are looking for those who enjoy working with young people and adolescents, and are willing to support them.”

The $100 daily wage is for those with a high school diploma or equivalent. An associate’s degree or higher, along with experience, entitles a substitute to additional pay, up to $150 a day.

On a daily basis, the district needs from 100 to 200 substitute teachers. In addition to the one- or two-day substitute gigs, there often are opportunities for longer tenures, such as if a teacher is out on family leave.

Individual schools within the district have developed ties with longstanding substitutes, which has provided a sense of continuity and familiarity within that community.

“Those subs get to know the teachers, they get to know the administrators, and they get to know the students,” Mr. Burns said. “Each of our schools has a go-to group of subs, and we encourage those relationships, because at the end of the day, we want to make sure there’s a good fit between the students, the philosophy of the school, and the connection with the substitute teacher.”

For caring adults who enjoy working with young people, substitute teaching can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

“These are challenging times, and so making sure we can continue to provide a strong educational experience for our students is essential,” Mr. Burns said. “Our substitute teachers help continue the learning process for our students.”  

Sharon Broadrick has been serving as a substitute teacher within the district for two-and-a-half years. She said the most rewarding aspect of the job is being able to assist students along the educational path.

“I for one feel I still have something to offer students who need extra support: someone willing to sit and go over a lesson as many times as necessary,” she said. “Watching a child ‘get it’ has always been an amazing moment for me as a teacher.”

Applicants will be required to complete a substitute teaching application, submit three letters of recommendation in regard to working with youth, and be fingerprinted.

To apply online, visit https://bit.ly/3gJSmXH. More information is available at https://bit.ly/2LrHCBs or by calling 549-7209.

Priority consideration will be given to applications submitted by Dec. 31, 2020.