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QC schools impacted by substitute teacher shortage

There is a shortage of substitute teachers across the country right now, and administrators are having trouble finding a solution. Many times, if a school canno...

There is a shortage of substitute teachers across the country right now, and administrators are having trouble finding a solution.

Many times, if a school cannot find a substitute teacher, administrators have to fill in.

"Whenever you're faced with that challenge, you are going to have to look at who's going to be least impacted by the decision that you make," said Jennifer Gertson, the principal at Riverdale Heights Elementary School in Pleasant Valley. "A lot of times the administrator might have to go into a classroom to take over, but then you're not available to help with student needs or anything you do in your normal role as a building administrator."

One reason why there may be a shortage is a new federal law that requires a waiting period, between 90 to 120 days, for any retired teachers who want to become substitutes to teach in their home district.

"Many of the subs in this area choose to sub for Bettendorf schools, or Davenport, or North Scott," said Gertson. "So with us all sharing the sub pool that we have, it becomes a challenge when you're competing for all the schools in your district to get those subs in your building"

Substitute teachers in the Pleasant Valley school districts get paid $90 a day at base pay, and $140 a day as a retired teacher. They must either have a teacher's license or a substitute teacher's certificate.

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