by Ace K. and Clark C.

A wise person once said, “There’s no substitute for a good substitute.” Substitute teachers are often taken for granted, but they are essential when regular teachers are sick or need a break.

Last week, we had the opportunity to interview two of the best substitute teachers at Alamo Heights Junior School, Mr. Tally and Mr. Jentsch. When asked why he thinks substitute teaching is important, Mr. Jentsch said, “I think that they need to be there, because there’s going to be times where the regular teacher has to be out.”

Mr. Tally also spoke about the importance of substitute teaching, explaining, “We never replace the teacher, but we can kind of bridge the gap and help them.” He added, “Teachers have lives just like everybody else, you know, they have children and children get sick.” This is why having someone certified to step in is so important. As Mr. Tally noted, “It’s good to have someone certified who can step in.”

Not only are substitute teachers important, but they also seem to enjoy what they do. Mr. Jentsch stated, “I enjoy it because it keeps me involved with the school. I coached and taught for 29 years, and substituting keeps me involved.”

However, substituting isn’t always easy. Whether dealing with complicated lesson plans or misbehaving students, it can be a tough job. Mr. Jentsch shared his approach to handling misbehaving students: “I just talk to them. Talking to them usually gets them to settle down.” Establishing authority is also key. Mr. Tally commented, “A lot of the time, I just read their T-shirts and talk about what I see.”

Most people don’t realize that substitute teachers have to teach every subject, which can be challenging enough. This is why students should respect substitute teachers just as much as they do regular teachers. Mr. Jentsch reflected, “When I was teaching, I really didn’t have any behavior problems. Uh again, being a substitute, it makes it a little more difficult.”

Substitute teachers play a crucial role in our school district. They teach every subject and grade level, often switching between classes every day. Without substitutes, permanent teachers would never get a break, and the quality of lessons would suffer. Substitute teachers are essential, and they deserve the respect and appreciation they often don’t get.