Substituting the Role of a Teacher

Substitute teachers play a huge role in the community at Fair Grove Schools. 

Many of the substitute teachers at Fair Grove have been around for many years and are familiar faces at the school. Mrs. Holley Johnson, one substitute teacher, stated, “As the school year wraps up, I am also wrapping up my 16th year of substitute teaching here at Fair Grove Schools. I also attended Fair Grove schools all the way from kindergarten to 12th grade.”

In order to be a qualified substitute teacher, there is a process you have to go through first. According to Rhonda Daniels, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, candidates for substitute teaching must complete an application, submit transcripts from any school you have attended, and complete a fingerprinting and background check. 

The high school is always looking for substitute teachers as they are usually hard to find. However, our district has been very fortunate with the number of subs we have this year.

Some substitute teachers apply here because they have kids that go to school here. “I have three children that attend Fair Grove, one in each building this year,” stated Johnson, “There are so many aspects of subbing that I enjoy! I love getting to work side by side with the teachers in the district and getting to know the administration. Being involved in the school is important to me, and subbing allows me to stay involved on a deeper level.”

Subbing can be challenging no matter what grade or class you end up teaching. Substitutes have to find a balance between making a fun environment, but yet still being stern enough to control the classroom. “I want to do my best at following the instructions left by the classroom teacher and the rules set in place by the district. Some days it feels students’ bad behaviors come to the surface when subs are in the room. Dealing with bad attitudes, disrespect, or laziness is one of the main challenges,” stated Mrs. Holley Johnson.

Everyone has different struggles and hardships when it comes to work and life. “The hardest part of subbing at Fair Grove is putting the fact that I was once a student there behind me, and that I can now call teachers by their first names,” said Lauren Bledsoe.

Even though they may have hardships there are people working beside them to help them in times of need, “The staff and administration in each building are excellent at supporting substitutes and help subs quickly squash any bad behaviors that arise.”

Mrs. Bledsoe commented, “Being a substitute is hard sometimes, but also very rewarding. You’re trusted with a regular teacher’s classroom in their absence, and you always want to make sure you’re doing everything right. Understanding that sometimes you can’t get to everything, or sometimes things don’t work out how they’re supposed to, is part of it! I’ve enjoyed every second that I’ve subbed at Fair Grove!”

Substitute teaching is a very rewarding program. If you have any interest in subbing at Fair Grove Contact Mrs. Rhonda, the Admin. Assistant to the Superintendent.