School districts looking for college students to teach

Jennifer Ly

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — As the pandemic lingers, the struggle continues to fill jobs, especially in our school districts.

From bus drivers and cafeteria workers to teachers, some districts are trying something new to get through at least part of the winter months.

The East Irondequoit School District put out a tweet looking for substitute teachers and made a direct appeal to college students.


"We’re desperate for substitute teachers all school districts in this area are really strapped for substitute teachers," said Director of Communications Dave Yates.

"It’s a great chance to find out ‘yeah it sounds great’ when you’re a student teacher and hovering in the back just watching…that’s different. When you’re actually in front of the classroom and doing the things and taking care of the kid, that could change your perspective you could realize, ‘you know, I don’t know if I’m cut out for this I don’t know if this is what’s going to make me happy.’"

Although the job description prefers the ideal candidate have a New York State teaching certificate, the district says that is being waived in order to get bodies through the door.

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"A lot of the restrictions as far as substitute teachers the state kind of gave us a pass on some of those as far as having ot be certified so you don’t have to be certified as a teacher right now to be a substitute teacher," Yates said.

West Irondequoit Central School District is trying to attract its own recent graduates or other local college students home on break this winter to help support its substitute teacher list.

The district did this last year and said it was successful.