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 student teaching professor from Eastern Washington College. If her master teacher saw that she was needing help in a certain area she would take a class that helped her improve. By the end of the school year she got her teaching certificate. She retired a few years ago. She had a successful career and she helped a large number of students prepare to go on to successful lives.

Why can't some of these substitutes be earning credits that would possibly apply toward a teaching degree?

Gerald W. Ray

Spokane