The University of Central Florida’s undergrad program to train special-education teachers was suspended when its coordinator retired
“I agreed to bring it back only if it could be something different and make an immediate impact for our local schools,” the associate professor says.
In addition to that classroom time, student-subs participate in coaching conversations with university faculty
To stay attuned to the needs of those schools, Hines tries to build and maintain strong relationships with local school leaders. A district leader recently told Hines that one of her biggest problems lately is finding substitute teachers. It’s a challenge for schools across the country that the pandemic has intensified. District and state leaders have come up with temporary solutions like calling on parents and members of the National Guard to volunteer, or moving classes online.
So Hines thought up a solution. What if her college students got some of their required classroom experience by working as paid substitute teachers?
For school districts, the benefit of such an arrangement would be “getting a really motivated, educated, substitute teacher,” Hines says. For students, one benefit would be the pay.
“It breaks my heart when I have students who are trying to get in their field work, but they are working at Disney or waiting tables,” Hines says. (mais…)