GREEN BAY, Wis.— The challenges an ongoing pandemic has brought onto schools are evident.

Substitute teacher shortages remain, and school districts are looking ahead to set incentives for these professionals to stay inside a classroom long-term.

Michael Friis, director of human resources of Green Bay Area Public Schools, has a first-hand look at these staffing shortages. 

“On any given year, you’re going to have a need for guest teachers, substitutes teachers to step up when folks are out,” said Friis. “But over the past few years, we know that nationally, public education has really looked into, 'How do we address the shortage?'”

These shortages have become both a statewide and national trend. 

According to Wisconsin Policy Forum, over the last decade within the southern region of our state, there have been nearly 13% fewer people graduating from college with degrees in education. Specifically this year, safety concerns added another hurdle to combating the shortage.

Green Bay schools have tried to minimize risk. As part of their mitigation strategy, substitute teachers follow plans to stay in one location or classroom as much as possible. 

“Having a substitute teacher hired with an agreed-upon, ‘This is the school that you’ll be in on a semi-regular, regular basis,' as opposed to becoming an inadvertent traveler around to a whole bunch of places," explained Friis. 

He said this allows for easier contact tracing. 

Substitute teachers across Wisconsin face similar challenges, but for some, those added measures make it feel safe to go to work.

“I feel very comfortable, being vaccinated and things like that, wearing the masks,” said Judithann Fischer, a long-time substitute teacher. “I’m all happy wearing masks. We just take it a day at a time... We can’t jump through many hoops; you take one hoop at a time.”

Various initiatives are taking place across districts. At Green Bay schools, leaders are opening opportunities that include expanding certification, or even a degree plan, for subs to become full-time teachers. However, retaining professionals and having an appealing salary can still be difficult.

“I think that’s something that has to be looked at," Fischer said of the low salaries teachers take home. 

According to the Green Bay Area Public Schools website, depending on their level of certification and title, substitutes can earn anywhere from $100 to over $200 in a teaching day. However, those rates vary by district.

Fisher, like many professionals, said their job is rewarding, and is eager to start a new school year.

“You come home, and yeah sometimes you get home tired like any job, but you do feel rewarded that you helped that one student or that one staff member,” said Fischer.