<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1>Marvin Goetz -President of the Lee County Association of Professional Substitute Teachers<o:p></o:p>Substitute Teaching in the 21st Century<o:p></o:p>Gone are the days when a Substitute can just walk into a class room give the students direction and be successful.<o:p></o:p>Today’s Substitute Teachers are NOT your grandparents’ subs. They must be prepared and trained to understand, common core studies, Race to the Top, STEM, and the use of Smart Boards, tablets, smart phones, and all current technologies. They must have a working knowledge of Pre-k THROUGH 12TH grade curriculums which include reading programs, new math, new science, class diversity, Bullying issues. <o:p></o:p>With today’s stresses on teachers, a substitute (guest teacher) becomes a necessity. Research finds that the average PRE -K -12TH GRADE STUDENT SPENDS AN ENTIRE YEAR OF THEIR EDUCATION UNDER THE tutelage with substitute teacher.<o:p></o:p>One of the few districts that “measures up” is The School District of Lee County Florida. They have learned “the secret of success” for their substitute teachers. Substitute teachers are treated fairly and with respect. Training is offered monthly via the Lee County Association of Professional Substitute Teachers, not a union, but an advocacy organization which champions the training, benefits, better pay, and overall welfare of subs district wide.<o:p></o:p>Each year the District provides a budget specifically for the training of their substitute teachers. There is a grievance procedure in place when necessary. All substitute teachers have their own district email address and pass word that gives them full access to every computer in the district .Compensation is among the highest I Florida. Each year a substitutes are recognized and Silver Apples are awarded to the best of the best. During Education Week substitutes are recognized by the school in which they serve.<o:p></o:p>Annually The Association holds a substitute orientation program prior to the start of school. And to keep all substitutes in the loop the association runs its own web site LCAPST.ORG which is linked directly to the school district web site.<o:p></o:p>The LCAPST leadership meets once a month with a Central Staff Administration. LCAPST maintains an office in the Central School District offices provided by the district.<o:p></o:p>The bottom line is that the LEE County School District realizes the importance of their substitutes ,and recognizes that they are professionals, stake holders, and vital to the functioning of the district in meeting their mission.<o:p></o:p>Today’s substitutes are no longer baby sitters and policemen, they are true educational teachers and leaders<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p></div></body></html>