Pandemic heightens Mid-Missouri substitute teacher shortage

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Substitute teachers are needed throughout several Mid-Missouri school districts as students head back to in person classes this week.

Kerri Stith, Columbia Missouri State Teachers Association (CMSTA) President, said many teachers left their job due to the stress of the pandemic.

Districts are asking that staff and faculty stay home even if they feel a little sick which is another way the pandemic has increased the need for substitute teachers.

"We've always had classes that don't get covered that administration has to cover, or back in the day we used to combine classes but we can't do that because of our current situation with the pandemic," Stith said.

Stith said Missouri has had a teacher shortage for years, but the pandemic has made it an even bigger problem.

"I am going into my 17th year of teaching, and we have always had a substitute shortage issue," Stith said.

During its August meeting, the State Board of Education approved the 20 hour online training option for obtaining a substitute certificate. The rule takes effect late late December 2021.

This means that instead of 60 credit hours, applicants can complete the 20 hour training course.

School leaders said they have some concern that lowering the requirements will cause low quality teachers to be hired but are hopeful it will help to ease the shortage.

"We need to make sure that we have people that are going to be in the classroom and make a difference not just be a warm body in a class room," Stith said.

A high school diploma, GED, and background check is still needed to apply for a substitute position.

Columbia https://www.edustaff.org/, Moberly http://www.moberly.k12.mo.us/jobs.html, and Mexico http://dese.mo.gov, school districts as well as Helias Catholic School https://heliascatholic.com/employment-opportunities/ are all accepting substitute applications.

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