Substitute teacher shortage; how the state is working to fill gaps during the pandemic

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Many schools had trouble finding substitute teachers before COVID-19 but months into the fall semester the pandemic has only exacerbated the problem.

As of Tuesday, 83 Columbia Public School staff members were on leave because of coronavirus, according to the district's COVID-19 tracking website.

The current need for substitute teachers in elementary schools is at a high, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education assistant commissioner Paul Katnik said.

The requirements to become a substitute teacher changed over the summer to help fill the gap. The state announced last week it is reimbursing people who go throw the requirements to become a substitute.

Katnik said if a teacher tests positive, or is exposed to the virus and must quarantine, a substitute teacher is needed in the classroom.

He added if a teacher is not feeling well enough to teach online, a substitute is needed to assist in the lesson plan for students.  

It causes a problem for schools because there are simply not enough substitute teachers available at the moment.

Kathy Steinhoff, president of the Columbia chapter of the Missouri National Educators Association, said now with coronavirus, the school district is experiencing an even bigger gap in available substitutes.

Signs expressing the need for subs can be seen outside of some school buildings around Columbia.

Since CPS elementary schools returned to in-person learning a little more than a week ago, more than 150 students have had to quarantine.