Houston schools searching for substitute teachers

The Houston County school system is looking for a few hundred good subs. Substitute teachers, that is.

Currently, there are 601 active subs in the system.

“We would hope to have 200 come through on this drive,” said Richard Rogers, the district’s director of personnel.

To qualify as a sub, the person must possess education and certificate requirements. This drive is open through Tuesday.

Candidates must have an associate’s degree or higher, two years of college with 60 hours, or pass a paraprofessional assessment, and have either a current teaching certificate, a certificate of eligibility or an official Georgia substitute teaching certificate.

Subs and schools use an online system to show which schools have openings. Subs are able to choose assignments they prefer.

Ashley Cortez is a longtime sub at Feagin Mill Middle School. She is teaching physical education.

“I taught for 11 years,” she said.

After having a child, she didn’t want to go back to a full-time job so she decided that substituting was the way to go.

Cortez tries very hard to remember each child’s name to show them she cares about each individual student.

“I show them respect and they show me respect,” the Louisiana native said.

A few decades ago, having a substitute teacher in the classroom meant getting out of school work. Not so these days.

“It’s a real day. That’s why we want quality substitutes,” said Rogers.

Teachers leave lessons and detailed instructions in the online program when they have to be out for either illnesses or scheduled learning courses.

“I make sure I leave very detailed plans,” said Susan Payne, eighth-grade science teacher at Feagin Mill Middle.

The pay is $9.62 an hour for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher and $8.79 per hour for less than a bachelor’s degree.

Some of the schools have subs who have been there for a few years, which helps the students form a bond with that teacher, said Brian Trent, assistant principal for discipline at David Perdue Elementary School.

George Maddox, a fifth-grader at Perdue, said he has had substitute teacher Vince Lawhorn since he was in third grade.

“He helped me understand things better. He breaks it down into little parts and helps me put it back together,” the 10-year-old said.

Lawhorn, who retired from the Air Force after 26 years as a master sergeant, said he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do after he got out of the military. He volunteered at the school where his children went and when someone suggested substitute teaching, he decided to try it.

The most important aspect for Lawhorn is making sure he has a positive impact on his students.

“When they come in, they light up the day for me,” he said of the children he teaches.

To apply, visit www.hcbe.net or contact Pam Sharp, human resources AESOP secretary at Pam.Sharp@hcbe.net or 478-988-6200, ext. 10138 for more information.

This story was originally published September 1, 2015 at 3:48 PM with the headline "Houston schools searching for substitute teachers ."