On December 3, there was an announcement that UW, Governor Mark Gordon, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balowhave ask upperclassmen certified as substitute teachers to work at local schools.
“There is a shortage not just in Laramie and Albany County but across the state of Wyoming and the whole country. Most districts have always had a limited number of substitutes, but the pandemic is compounding the problem,” said Jeff Verosky, the director and principal of the Laramie Montessori Charter School.
Ashley Schlagel, an elementary education major with a minor in early childhood development, said that she went back to Torrington, Goshen County during the winter break.
She said a friend told her that there had been over 40 staff members of the local schools out due to COVID-19.
“I was really surprised when UW sent an email out for Rawlins school district saying they would pay for a hotel and mileage for people who are willing to sub for them. This definitely put into perspective how much the whole state is struggling in schools, not just my home district,” said Schlagel.
Dr. Jubal Yennie, the superintendent of Albany County School District, said, “One hundred and eighty employees this semester required quarantine out of a 1000 employees for 162 days in total. About four or five days a piece. Folks have to be out of the building and as a result of that there is a shortage of subs in the state.”
Dr. Yennie said that the requirement listed to be a substitute teacher have been simplified during this shortage. The requirements can be found on the superintendent’s blog on the Albany County School District website.
“Students and retired teachers substitute, but retired teachers are in the older age category that are at high risk for COVID,” said Dr. Yennie.
Dr. Yennie said that fewer substitutes from retired teachers has also been a contribution to fewer substitutes.
Verosky said, “Staff absences are up as due to the virus and certain protocols and criteria that keep more staff at home when they may still have been at school. We have also had a certain number of subs that will not come into the building due to the fear of contracting the virus, so on certain days we may not have enough subs to cover the number of classes that have a teacher out due to illness.”
Verosky said that students at his school have said they feel a difference in their classes when they are virtual versus in person.
“We’ve done an exceptional job balancing in person and virtual learning. It was finding an appropriate blend while providing a safe environment. We limited the size of classes while implementing face coverings,” said Jeff Lewis, the principal of Laramie Highschool.
