Local school districts in need of substitute teachers

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - Whether it’s Hastings, Grand Island or Kearney, all are looking for substitute teachers.

The application process runs through the Nebraska Department of Education and the school district you want to work with. Some of the requirements are having a transcript that shows at 60 credit hours in college. and taking a human relation’s course, which is offered online through Central Community College.

According to Hastings Public Schools, they’re is sitting at just over 50 substitutes, but they would like somewhere around 70. In Kearney, they would like 125 substitutes, but they have 100 people registered. Grand Island Public Schools has just over 100 substitutes registered, but they would like between 125 and 150.

GIPS Recruitment and Retention Coordinator, Brian Kort, said substitutes help keep a standard of learning even when teachers are away.

“We want kids to continue learning, at the level they are, and you have to have a person in there, you can’t just close that classroom down, double up class sizes, that’s just not gonna work, so substitute teachers are super important in our district and every district,” Kort said. “You want your school year to continue to run, you don’t want to have to shut things down because you don’t have enough substitutes to cover.”

For retired teachers the qualification process is even easier, as the teacher’s certificate you already have clears them to substitute.

Laurie Chadek taught in grand island public schools for 40 years before she retired, but she still wanted to stay busy in retirement and so she came back to the district as a substitute. She’s not alone, as she said husband also substitutes for GIPS. Laurie said that there are times she enjoys getting out and subbing provides a way to do that. Having been on both sides, she knows the value of having enough substitutes.

“Teachers don’t want to be gone but it’s gonna happen, it just takes a lot of stress, knowing that there is someone who can continue with my lesson plans, that can make sure the kids are still learning,” Chadek said. “Especially now, it makes you feel better that you know your colleagues aren’t gonna have to give up their plan period to cover.”

For more information on substitute teaching in the Tri-City area school district see links below:

Local Substitute Permit Information

Grand Island Public Schools Substitutes Information

Hastings Public Schools Substitutes Information

Kearney Public Schools Substitutes Information

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