During COVID-19, Substitute Teachers Face High Risk, Low Pay And A Class Of ‘Roomies’ And ‘Zoomies’

The coronavirus pandemic has left districts struggling to find enough substitute teachers to fill vacancies at schools across the U.S.

By Stephanie Kim
The Challenges Of Being A Substitute Teacher During COVID-19: High Risk, Low Pay
Framed through a classroom window, a teacher conducts a class during the coronavirus outbreak at Roosevelt High School - Early College Studies, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in Yonkers, N.Y. Mary Altaffer / AP Photo
The Challenges Of Being A Substitute Teacher During COVID-19: High Risk, Low Pay
Framed through a classroom window, a teacher conducts a class during the coronavirus outbreak at Roosevelt High School - Early College Studies, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in Yonkers, N.Y. Mary Altaffer / AP Photo

During COVID-19, Substitute Teachers Face High Risk, Low Pay And A Class Of ‘Roomies’ And ‘Zoomies’

The coronavirus pandemic has left districts struggling to find enough substitute teachers to fill vacancies at schools across the U.S.

By Stephanie Kim
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School districts in Illinois and across the country are scrambling to find substitute teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The problem is part of a growing teacher shortage nationwide.

Reset takes a closer look at how the pandemic is exacerbating the substitute shortage in the Chicago area and how local districts are ramping up their recruitment efforts.

GUESTS: Sarah Karp, WBEZ education reporter

Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune reporter

Walt Stallings, substitute teacher in Chicago