Sub teaching: help fill void and have some laughs

After covering hundreds of school board meetings, and hearing in the last several years that there is a real need for substitute teachers at Chase County Schools, I decided to look into the situation a bit further—substitute teaching was something that piqued my interest.
    Not having an education degree, I found out I needed only to successfully complete four college credit hours, submit college transcripts, fill out the NE Department of Education paperwork, acquire  a letter from our school superintendent and I could be certified as a substitute. I decided to complete the courses last summer, the certification came through late last year and I’ve now substitute taught twice at Chase County Schools.
            Both times I’ve subbed—in 4th, 5th and 6th grades—it’s been a joy. Being around young people again brought back fond memories and I’ll have to say I’d forgotten a bit how honest young people can be. As students were lining up at the end of the day last week, a sweet 5th grade girl told me, “You remind me of my Grandma—only older.” I laughed out loud, not taking it badly at all, because she followed up with, “That’s a good thing because I love my Grandma.”
    Youths are the future of this community and our country. If you are really worried about the future and want to be a positive influence on our youths, consider substitute teaching. I’ve always loved kids—ours are now grown and gone. Substitute teaching offers a way to be around young people and lets you see up-close the challenging job teachers have. It also helps fill a void CCS and other schools are experiencing these days. Try substitute teaching—it might be for you!