ORLANDO, Fla. — The company that provides substitute teachers for Orange County Public Schools reported it is becoming more difficult to find fill-ins.
With so many people out of work, the company hopes to turn the shortage into a win-win for the schools and struggling families.
There was a need for substitute teachers before the pandemic. But now, Kelly Services reported it is even harder to find people to fill in for teachers at schools.
Substitutes cover for teachers when they go on vacation, call out sick or have to quarantine.
When the school bell rings, Casandra Elivert is in the classroom. But she is not a certified teacher. She’s a substitute.
“I just wanted to learn, and I just wanted to teach others,” Elivert said.
She started working for Kelly Services four years ago.
But she said this year is “dramatically different.”
She both serves as a substitute for face-to-face and LaunchEd@Home students. She even teaches blended classes.
“It’s a roller coaster, but it’s really fun at the same time,” Elivert said.
But Kelly Services stated there are not enough people like Elivert.
The company reported it needs 300 to 400 more substitute teachers.
“It changes day to day,” said Cheryl Courier with Kelly Services. “But at this point, there’s probably about 600 open positions.”
Candidates don’t need to be certified.
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They just need an associate degree or 60 college credits, as well as the ability to read and write in English.
Anyone interested will also have to pass a background check.
Courier hopes people who were furloughed or laid off will see the job as a way to make ends meet.
Pay starts at just over $68 a day or $75 a day for people with a bachelor’s degree.
Kelly Services said one obstacle for finding subs is the people who normally fill in are older and more susceptible to COVID-19.
The company said people get to choose their assignments based on their comfort level.
More information can be found on the company’s website.
Cox Media Group
