This back-to-school season, teacher mental health is top of mind for school and district administrators. In a May 2022 article EdSurge reports, “teachers haven’t just reached their breaking point, but surpassed it, further imperiling a profession that has long struggled with low pay and declining morale.” Widespread burnout and stress According to a poll from the National Education Association, 90% … Read More
How to recruit the best substitute teachers
Even in the midst of a substitute teacher shortage, there are a number of ways to recruit substitute teachers. There are many recruiting methods to consider, like partnering with credentialing schools or alternative-route certification programs, getting creative on social media, and holding in-person hiring events. Here are five concrete actions you can take to level-up your substitute teacher recruiting tactics: … Read More
What qualities do great substitute teachers share?
Whether they are aspiring teachers, talented members of the community, or veteran subs, great substitute teachers will share distinct qualities that help them quickly integrate into a new school and connect with students. When building your sub pool, look for individuals with these seven qualities. 1. Passion Most substitute teachers are looking for more than just a paycheck. They’re excited … Read More
Swing Education’s Approach to Finding and Retaining High-Quality Subs
When Swing began, we had a laser focus: using technology to help schools find high-quality substitute teachers to fill teacher vacancies. And since then, our mission has not changed. However, the world around us has. The national substitute teacher shortage that existed before COVID-19 has only grown more profound necessitating even deeper recruitment and retention efforts. At Swing, we’re … Read More
Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion: Lessons and Teaching Ideas for Inclusive Schools Week
*Swing recommends that substitute teachers get all outside teaching resources approved by the school prior to sharing with students. Diversity, acceptance, and inclusion should all be taught at home and in the classroom. And, for teachers, the upcoming Inclusive Schools Week provides an opportune time to further engage students in these important topics, while continuing to implement and reinforce inclusive … Read More
How Swing Education Helped Me Balance Work, Life and Family
For Stephen Kooshian, the path to becoming a Swing Sub took a few twists and turns. Though he’d been drawn to teaching since high school, he had two other careers before substitute teaching. Prior to teaching, Stephen worked in a traditional office job environment and also ran a small business, but he felt that he didn’t have the ownership … Read More
10+ Teaching Resources to Commemorate Native American Heritage Month
*Swing recommends that substitute teachers get all outside teaching resources approved by the school prior to sharing with students. Since an official proclamation in 1990, November has marked Native American Heritage Month. This represents a dedicated time to celebrate – and teach students – about the culture, traditions, and contributions of Native people, as well as the challenges they have … Read More
How Swing Education Helps This Substitute Teacher Do It All
Jose VanDerburg loves helping people and being active in the Los Angeles community. He also loves helping students which is one of the reasons he entered into education as a one-on-one and classroom aide with the local school district. “It is great meeting and interacting with students on a daily basis,” said VanDerburg. “Having the opportunity to impact young … Read More
How Swing Education Helped This Substitute Teacher Get into the Classroom Quickly
After a more than 20-year break from substitute teaching, Valerie Pierce knew she wanted to return to education and follow her passion of helping students. This spurred her decision to go back to school and pursue a degree in special education studies. “I really just love being with students and trying to create an engaging learning environment for them … Read More
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month in the Classroom
*Swing recommends that substitute teachers get all outside teaching resources approved by the school prior to sharing with students. Wednesday, September 15th marks the kick-off of National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latinx Americans. This date is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for the countries of … Read More