Officials try to remedy shortage of substitute teachers

Staff report

Grove city, pa.

A shortage in substitutes with Pennsylvania certification has school officials scrambling every day to cover the classes of absent teachers.

Responding to that crisis, Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV created a Guest Teacher Training Program designed to turn college graduates who have a bachelor’s degree into emergency substitute teachers who can fill in when a certified substitute teacher can’t be found.

Through the MIU IV’s emergency-substitute consortium, potential subs attend a three-day training session and then apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for an emergency-substitute certificate. With certification through MIU IV, substitutes can teach in any school district participating in the consortium.

The intermediate unit has scheduled a three-day training session Feb. 27, 28 and 29. After the session, participants may apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for an emergency substitute teaching certificate.

For a flier and registration form, contact the MIU IV Continuing Education Department at 724-458-6700, ext. 1209, or email:lorinda_hess@miu4.k12.pa.us.