Contra Costa County needs substitute teachers

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 21, 2021) — Schools face a shortage of educators in Contra Costa County and across the state.

More than 13,500 teachers retired across California at the end of last year, about a thousand more than the year before. With this shortage of educators comes a shortage of substitute teachers.

This means that in addition to their regular work and the work brought on by the pandemic, teachers and administrators must take in more students and cover classrooms due to the lack of substitutes. 

Throughout the pandemic, members of this community have rallied to help each other and fill in the gaps whenever there has been a need. And now, Contra Costa schools can use your help.

You can help your local schools overcome this challenge by applying to become a substitute. All you need is to have a bachelor’s degree, basic subject-matter proficiency, and a passion for working with students.

Being a substitute teacher is a great opportunity for retirees, recent college graduates, or those looking for flexible, part-time work. Being a sub also provides a great way to see if a career in the education field suits you.

You can apply to be a substitute teacher by contacting your local school district’s human resources department. Or, you can visit cocoschools.org/becomeasub. Get more information on substitute teaching (or any of the other school-based positions) at a job fair November 6. The event happens at CCCOE’s Stewart Building on Saturday, November 6, at 10 a.m. For details, click here.