Minneapolis (WCCO) — A school in one of Minnesota’s largest districts is asking their families to help meet their dire need for substitute teachers.
Lisa Carlson, principal of Woodland Elementary School in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Egan district, left a voicemail last week for the parents of hundreds of her students.
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“[It was] A plea for substitute teachers, noting that there was a shortage in the district, and in particular in woodland, and that if anyone was willing to go out and get their license, she would appreciate it, “a mother with three children Brie Axelrod said in the district, including a fifth grader in the woodland.
Axelrod says she barely hesitated to apply. Carlson says nine parents have responded with interest. She says Woodland needs more options in 12 of the first 20 days of school this year. The district overall has 300 options below normal staffing levels.
(credit: CBS)
“You just need them,” Carlson said. “You know, you can move people around, move people around, and try to teach yourself, but it’s really hard to run a school when you don’t have enough coverage “
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The only prerequisite for the job is a four-year college degree. Applicants then take a licensing class, undergo a background check, and in about 30 days, they will be ready to be trained by the school district.
Part of Carlson’s hiring pitch is a $165-per-day salary and the opportunity to work every day.
“I have had the time to be able to help and give back, and I thought it would be a great way to support the staff and teachers who have given me so much,” Axelrod said.
The district says it also falls short of many other supporting roles such as custodian and food service worker.
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St Paul’s Public Schools told WCCO that it is also dealing with a shortage of an alternative teacher.
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