Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 4 April 1996 — Page 28

The Muncie Times, April 4,1996, Page 28

School subs underpaid, get no respect

by Ball State University Relations Substitute school teachers often feel unwelcome and

unappreciated when they enter the classroom, says a Ball State University educator. These factors, coupled with low pay, are driving

good instructors from the field, said Lawrence Smith, chair of the elementary education department at Ball State. A former elementary

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school teacher, Smith said he witnessed several instances when full-time teachers showed little respect to substitutes. “Some teachers don’t even introduce themselves when they talk to a new sub,” Smith said. “Many times the new teacher receives little instruction from administrators or fellow teachers at the beginning of the day, and too little feedback at the

end of the day.

“Being a substitute teacher is difficult. You go into a classroom with 25 students and you don’t know their behavior or health problems. You have only a short time to go over the lesson plan, leaving little time to provide the necessary

instruction.” Low pay discourages

individuals away from substitute teaching. Daily gross pay range from $25 to $45, which barely equals minimum wage for a long day in a classroom,

he said.

Many substitute teachers are college students or recent graduates attempting to impress administrators with their classroom skills. Many states do not require a teaching license to qualify to substitute, only that the individual has taken a minimum number of college credit hours. Smith believes that many quality people don’t do temporary work at schools simply because of the low pay. “It never hurts to pay people more for their work,” Smith said. “This

also

many.,

way you can expect more from that teacher and usually get it. Also, it attracts better qualified people to the field. “After all, we are asking these people to take care of our young children and help them learn. We should want effective people in the classroom.” Administrators and fulltime teachers recognize quality people who serve in the classroom temporarily. These instructors usually have classroom experience, take time to get acquainted with lesson plans, grade assignments and leave detailed notes for the absent teacher. Smith said a responsible substitute teacher is highly prized by teachers and administrators. “If the substitute teacher is made to feel a part of the faculty or is included in the discussions in the lounge, they feel more like they are a part of the school,” he said.

NAACP plans protest against “Redneck” store Three weeks ago, John Toward of Laurens, S.C., opened his new business. Howard sells Ku Klux Klan memorabilia out of an abandoned movie theater. He hopes his “Redneck Shop” will generate funds, along with donations, to open a Klan museum in the rest of the theater. Local resident have begun wearing black and white ribbons in a show of racial solidarity to protest the new establishment. The local chapter of the NAACP plans to organize a protest against the store.