MILWAUKEE — While the school year has been in full swing for months now, school districts across Wisconsin are looking to add more substitute teachers for the cold and flu season.

Milwaukee Public Schools is one of those districts.

What You Need To Know

  • Milwaukee Public Schools held a job fair to hire more substitute teachers as well as fill other positions

  • MPS is offering an extra $500 monthly incentive to encourage more subs to pick up more assignments

  • The district hopes to have 300 subs available for cold and flu season

The school district said they have, on average, 100 to 150 substitute teachers that pick up assignments daily.

The district looked at Wednesday’s job fair as an opportunity to double that number.

Michael Harris helped people apply for jobs within MPS.

He is the Senior Director of Talent Management.

Harris said although they are looking to fill a variety of positions, there is a big need for substitute teachers.

“We know that they are essential and so we want to make sure that as we enter the winter months,” said Harris. “We have subs readily available to step in to ensure teaching and learning happens every day.”

To help fill this need, MPS is also offering an extra $500 monthly incentive beginning in January.

For substitute teachers to qualify, they would have to accept and report for assignments for at least 90% of the school days in a month.

“We require our substitute teachers to hold a Bachelor’s degree so that they are well rounded,” said Harris. “They also need to complete a training course required by the state and so they definitely are the gap fillers so when a teacher is out, the teaching and learning can continue day in and day out.”

Jason Moore came to the MPS job fair to apply to be a substitute teacher.

“I grew up in the MPS system, and I went on to join the military and get a degree at Marquette, so I’m coming back to my roots,” said Moore.

Moore believes he can make a difference for students if given the opportunity.

“I can offer them a new way to look at their education and look within themselves as well as their personal development as they go forward in their education,” said Moore.

Harris said since it is cold and flu season, he would like to have more substitute teachers available.

He hopes to have around 300 subs that would be able to pick up assignments on a given day.

“It’s not that there is a shortage,” said Harris. “We want substitute teachers to pick up more assignments and to get more subs picking up those assignments. It’s really about making sure that they are valued in the organization and that they are essential to ensure that we have the right support in place for students.”

Harris said MPS knows they only have one shot at making sure children get a good education.

They believe having substitute teachers available is an important part of ensuring that happens.