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Important role of substitute teachers recognized during American Education Week
Posted: 11/20/2009 4:34:32 PM
When Reedsburg kindergarten teacher Sarah Lancaster was planning for her maternity leave, nothing was of greater relief to her, the students and their families than knowing the class would continue on smoothly with a highly qualified substitute teacher at the helm.
That’s because Tobie Langhans, a certified teacher who completed her student teaching in the school district last year, is prepared to step in after careful preparation and collaboration.
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| From left, Dana Westedt, Tobie Langhans, and Sarah Lancaster |
When a classroom teacher must be absent, a smooth transition is best for students and schools. And high quality substitute teachers know how to make that happen. Substitute teachers across the nation will be honored Friday as part of American Education Week for their role as the most versatile players in the education world. They serve as the pinch-hitters in our schools, carrying the classroom in absence of a colleague and making sure our students stay on track.
For Langhans and other substitute teachers, nothing beats support from teachers, principals and the rest of the school staff. At Westside Elementary, where she will be filling in during Lancaster’s maternity leave, Langhans even had the opportunity to shadow Lancaster, and fill in occasionally, in order to get to know the students and the classroom routine.
“She’ll know just what to do, because we’ve had time to communicate,” Lancaster said.
“I do feel very comfortable stepping in, because of the time I’ve had with the students,” Langhans added. “Principal Paul Bierman allowed me to sub in the class so that they know me, and their parents know me.”
Substitute teachers show their dedication every day by stepping into a variety of situations, boldly going into different classrooms to take over the day’s work. They are willing to take on any assignment, often at any one of a district’s many schools. They walk into elementary schools to take over a day’s lesson on reading. They enter a high school to keep the day’s focus on calculus. The key to making it all work is planning.
“Most teachers do a good job of laying out plans and materials,” Langhans explained. “You can then actually teach, follow a strategy. A substitute teacher is much more than someone who simply fills a space.”
Schools across Wisconsin depend on the ranks of their substitute teachers, and they become well-known by students and parents. “Having someone new in the classroom can be hard on students, especially younger children,” explained Dana Westedt, former president of the Reedsburg Education Association, and a mentor to Langhans. “And from my perspective as a teacher, I want to be sure it’s not a missed day. With qualified substitute teachers, I know my students will carry on in math, reading, and all of our subjects.”
Langhans, just like many other substitute teachers, sees the opportunity to work in the classroom as a stepping stone in her career as an educator. She finds that her involvement as a parent and as treasurer of her school parent-teacher organization gives her a unique perspective. “Teaching is my second career,” she explained. “Working as a substitute allows me to concentrate on perfecting my technique. It’s the next best thing to being a full-time teacher.”
Mary Bell, president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, said the work done by Wisconsin’s substitute teachers is invaluable in building great schools. “Our schools depend on the flexibility, the expertise and the knowledge of our substitute teachers,” Bell said. “They are a critical link that keeps a school moving along and students learning. There’s a close bond between administrators, teachers, students and families – and substitute teachers play a vital role in that connection.”
“My hat is off to these talented educators who can walk into any classroom environment on any day, and make it all work.”
