Elevating undervalued professionals: Support for substitute teachers

May 04, 2024 00:35:51
Elevating undervalued professionals: Support for substitute teachers
Ethical Schools
Elevating undervalued professionals: Support for substitute teachers

May 04 2024 | 00:35:51

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Show Notes

We speak with Megan M. Conklin, who designs and implements professional development for substitutes in Washington state. Substitutes often don’t receive the support and compensation they deserve. Ms. Conklin’s union-backed program teaches subs classroom survival skills and advocates for equity among school staff members.

Overview

00:00-00:37 Intros

00:37-04:44 Why Megan Conklin has chosen to be a substitute

04:44-07:19 Major issues subs face

07:19-11:13 Structure and culture of Megan Conklin’s program

11:13-16:59 What a sub should do if thrown into a situation without support

16:59-17:34 Keeping a light-hearted mindset

17:34-19:47 What students want in a sub

19:47-21:46 What it’s like as a long-term sub

21:46-23:10 Pay scales

23:10-24:39 Effects of using classroom teachers to cover classes

24:39-26:34 Sub support programs in other states?

28:27-30:13 Differences in support among Washington districts

30:13-31:21 Supporting paraprofessionals and other marginalized groups in education

31:21- Outro

Transcript

Click here to see the full transcript of this episode. 

References

Megan Conklin’s website

Soundtrack by Poddington Bear

Image: instagram.com/conklineducationalperspectives

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