Letter to the Editor: A shortage of substitute teachers occurring in the state

We are experiencing a shortage of substitute teachers in the United States and it is hitting our state quite hard! I am a retired educator so I watch these things closely. Washington has been hiring people with a college degree who can pass the logical tests that safeguard our children. The college degree can be in any field.

I have a suggestion that could help solve the problem. About 45 years ago I was involved in helping a lady get a teaching degree without going back to campus. There was a program that allowed her to student teach for a year. She was supervised by her master teacher and a...