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Substitute Teacher Training: Benefiting Students, Substitute Teachers, Classroom Teachers and Beyond
“This should be required before a sub enters a classroom,” said
training participant Julia Nichols who has been subbing for four
years.
Through conversations with superintendents and principals,
DuPage Regional Superintendent of Schools Dr. Darlene Ruscitti
and ROE Director of Leadership Services Dr. Gayle Wahlin
recognized the need for a substitute teacher training program in
the county. To meet that need, the DuPage Regional Office of
Education has been offering a substitute teacher training
seminar since January of 2009.
“Research shows that over the course of a student’s education
through 12th grade, approximately one full year of their
instruction will be done by a substitute teacher,” said Dr.
Ruscitti. “We want to make sure that those days will be
productive ones for the students, the substitute, and the
classroom teacher. This program provides specific strategies to
support everyone involved.”
“This two-day seminar covers instructional strategies, behavior
management, special education and legal issues,” said Dr. Wahlin
who co-teaches the course with Sally Pentecost.
“The information we learned is so practical with specific
examples. This stuff is what really happens in a classroom,”
said participant Keri DeWale who now substitute teaches after
leaving her career in social work to be at home with her
children.
Participants range from former teachers looking to update their
skills, those who have subbed for a while but are looking for
additional strategies to assist them in the classroom, to those
who are going through career changes and those who are merely
exploring the idea of becoming a sub or full-time teacher.
“This is a career change for me.” said participant Paul Abel who
spent 15 years in graphic design. “It’s been a real confidence
booster.”
“This workshop has been very good. There’s so much that’s
interesting to talk about,” said Margaret Mather who recently
received her sub certificate and has been in classrooms from
preschool through high school. “I’ve learned techniques to help
teach and motivate students. I will definitely have with me a
bag of tricks to give to students to make sure they are having a
positive experience.”
“When you are in the classroom you want to make sure that you
are fulfilling the teacher’s expectations. They should be able
to pick up where you left off and not have to reteach,” said
Mrs. Nichols. “This workshop gives you the tools to do that.”
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