Career Services and EduStaff, an organization seeking to train the next generation of substitute teachers, hosted the certification training on Sept. 15.
“The program is for students that are interested in going potentially into a career teaching path. Because Hillsdale doesn’t have a certified teaching program, this is a great way for them to get introduced to the classroom,” said Sharon Rupp, assistant director of Career Services.
The program goes over the fundamentals of teaching in a classroom. Students learn basic safety tips online. In-person training consists of a two-hour course on how a typical school day is structured. This program will allow students to apply their skills at local schools in Hillsdale.
Dan Coupland, professor and chair of education, said classroom experience played a vital role in his decision to become a teacher.
“There was just something about being in a classroom that was really exciting to me,” Coupland said.
His experience as a student-teacher allowed him to examine the classroom dynamics from the perspective of the teacher. He described student-teaching as “an eye opening experience.”
“Part of learning how to be a substitute teacher is learning how to present that material,” Coupland said. “But I think the much more valuable element of that is learning how to manage a classroom because that’s often one of the hardest things to learn as a teacher.”
Coupland said the classroom is a social environment, which is fostered by the teacher. He said one of the greatest things one can learn as a substitute teacher is how to motivate students to learn.
Senior Rachel Warren, who is pursuing a classical education minor, said she is eager to get more exposure to the ins-and-outs of teaching.
“When you’re studying education here, you learn a lot of the theoretical things, but to potentially be able to put that into practice in a classroom is really cool and would make me feel a lot more confident going into teaching after graduation,” Warren said.
Senior Eamonn Weed said he is looking forward to substitute teaching.
“I think the thing I’m most looking forward to with regard to substitute teaching is having classroom experience before completing undergrad and having a chance to get my feet under me and have a better understanding of what leading the classroom is going to look like and what to expect when that’s the day in and day out of my life in about a year,” Weed said.
In order for students to gain a substitute teacher’s certification, they must have at least 60 credit hours as of this semester. If a student has not yet met this required amount, they can become a paraprofessional. This role allows students to assist the teacher rather than teach material and lead classroom instruction, Rupp said.
Career Services is considering giving students who did not meet the 60 credit requirement this semester another opportunity to attain their certification next semester, Rupp said. Students are required to pay for the certification. There is a $45 application fee and $60 fingerprint fee which is a state requirement. Students are expected to make at least $100 per full day they substitute.
“After one day of teaching, they’ve pretty much made up for that fee,” Rupp said.
Once students get their certification, they can substitute teach at any public school in Michigan. If students wish to teach in another state, they will have to adhere to the state’s rules and regulations and Edustaff’s policy.
“Substitute teaching would be a good way to get my foot in the door and just try it out and see if I enjoy it and actually want to pursue that,” sophomore Abby Richardson said.