For example, someone with a general education (i.e., elementary) credential would probably not be highly qualified, nor legally credentialed, to teach secondary Chemistry or Trigonometry. That person MIGHT be hired on a temporary contract due to science and math being “high need” subjects, but if he or she doesn’t know a lot of Chemistry or Trigonometry, the students are much better served by a long-term substitute teacher who does. And if that sub happens to have a bachelor’s degree in science or math, the 30-day “emergency” limitation can be waived so that the sub can teach that class indefinitely.

Not a great financial boon for the substitute teacher, who would be doing lesson planning and grading in the evenings for the same pay as subs who waltz blithely out of the building each day with nary a care in the world. But the experience is invaluable, if that’s one’s cup of tea.

My suggestions was meant only to say that if there are credentialed teachers without a classroom, it would make more sense to put them in classrooms currently manned by a substitute teacher. I know it would only save the cost of the sub, a real pittance compared to other jobs. But it is a savings; even more importantly it would benefit the students who would then have an experienced classroom teacher. And yes, I think many teachers know how little subs are paid. Many of us were substitutes while we were working on our credentials. It is also easily looked up on any district’s salary schedules. On the last contract negotiated (I think it was the last) substitute salaries were at least raised slightly because of a shortage in the applicant pool.

I wonder if any of the teachers who were not reassigned to another classroom could be placed in one of the classes who has a long-term substitute in place. Or would that make too much sense and save the district money? Hmmm…