Rethinking the role of guest teachers

Key points:

When I think about the importance of consistent classroom coverage, I always come back to the idea that students deserve to feel like their classroom is their home for the next 10 months. That sense of stability is critical, not just for their learning, but for their overall well-being.

Educators don’t always know what our students are going through outside of the school setting. Life at home for them can be challenging–maybe they’re moving often or face an unpredictable home life. What we want for our students when they step into our classrooms is consistency. We want them to see that same smiling face, hear that same calming voice, and sit in their same assigned seat. When those structures disappear, the consistency in student performance also diminishes. For students to be successful, consistency is the key.

The challenge of classroom coverage

Like many districts across the country, the School District of Lee County in Florida has faced challenges with substitute teacher coverage. At one point, we were operating with a 66 percent fill rate, meaning over one-third of substitute positions went unfilled on any given day. This created hurdles for our staff and students, as administrators worked creatively to ensure classrooms were covered. While these challenges tested our flexibility, they also highlighted an important opportunity to rethink how we approach the role of guest teachers. By focusing on consistency and connection, we can better support our students’ sense of belonging and their ability to thrive in the classroom.

Building culture through integration

The solution wasn’t just filling positions; it was changing how we think about guest teachers and their role in our school community. Treating substitute teachers as temporary outsiders was counterproductive. Instead, we needed to integrate them into our school culture from day one.

Now, we make it a priority to include our long-term guest teachers in our back-to-school week activities. We invite them to set up classrooms, participate in staff meetings, and join professional development sessions. By immersing them in our school culture from the beginning, we help them feel included and prepared, which directly benefits our students.

This approach has improved our fill rates. We ended our first semester of working with Kelly Education to find and train substitute teachers by reaching an 89 percent fill rate, and now we’re consistently in the high 90s. More importantly, we’ve been able to extend coverage to areas we previously couldn’t staff, such as paraprofessional positions in our high-needs ESE classrooms.

Creating stability for students

When students walk into a classroom and know that the same person will be there, it changes everything. They can build relationships. They can establish routines. They can feel secure enough to take academic risks and engage fully in their learning.

I think about my own kids, who go to school in Lee County, and I want them to enjoy every minute of being there. I want them to walk into a classroom knowing that this person is going to be with them for the long haul. This consistency has had a profound impact on school culture, especially in schools that previously had high vacancy rates. There’s a sense of calm that comes from knowing who will be in the classroom each day. Our full-time instructional staff aren’t feeling the strain of having additional students in their classrooms or having to cover during their planning periods. Our administrative assistants aren’t constantly working to place people here and there.

Professional development and support

We are utilizing guest teachers from Kelly Services to fill vacant positions until permanent teachers are hired. Previously, when we worked with Kelly Services, any of their staff could be assigned to cover a classroom. We have now enhanced this arrangement to require that all guest teachers who fill a vacant position until permanently filled hold current teaching certificates. Guest teachers who are filling vacant positions are integrated into our school community by receiving the same professional development opportunities as our full-time staff. They attend trainings during preschool week, participate in staff meetings, and have access to curriculum resources and support.

This investment in their professional growth pays dividends in student outcomes. When guest teachers understand our expectations, know our procedures, and feel connected to our mission, they’re better equipped to maintain the learning environment that students need.

This school year alone, we interviewed nearly 3,000 substitute candidates and hired 1,700. Even more impressive, close to 100 substitute teachers have converted to full-time employment within our district, with 50 of those hires happening just last school year. With all the recent new hires over the summer and start of the school year, we are at 367 guest teachers converted to full-time employment. When guest teachers feel valued, many choose to make our district their permanent home.

The ripple effect on achievement

While specific achievement data requires deeper analysis, the cultural transformation in our schools has been remarkable. Consistency in the classroom creates the foundation for all other learning to happen. Students can focus on academics instead of adjusting to new personalities and expectations every day. Teachers can maintain their instructional momentum instead of spending time re-establishing classroom norms after each absence.

A model for other districts

Our ultimate goal is to have zero vacancies on the first day of school, ensuring that each student achieves their highest personal potential. We want every student to feel at home in their classroom. I want my own kids, and every child in our district, to walk into school and feel welcomed, supported, and ready to learn.

For leaders facing similar challenges, my advice is to rethink how you approach substitute teaching. Don’t treat guest teachers as a temporary Band-Aid. Instead, view them as integral members of your educational team who deserve the same support, training, and respect as your full-time staff.