Visalia Unified dealing with substitute teacher shortage

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- School districts across the state have been dealing with a teacher shortage, but finding backups for those teachers is also becoming difficult.

Nearly every day, substitute teachers are needed at Crestwood Elementary School in Visalia. Administrators are finding, though, they're not always available. Sometimes principal Dedi Somavia is forced to think creatively to get a certified teacher to fill in.

"There have been times since we started school in August that I've had to put my assistant principal in a classroom to sub for a couple different days," said Somavia.

Visalia Unified School District officials recently sent an email to all staff, asking them to see if they knew of any qualified candidates.

"We're experiencing what we call a guest teacher, which some districts call substitute teacher, shortage. That's not unique to us; it's happening around all of the Central Valley and many other parts of California," said Tamara Ravalin with the school district.

California's grade span adjustment just recently went into effect, allowing for smaller class sizes and the hiring of more teachers. That meant many of Visalia Unified's subs were being hired full-time.

Many of Visalia's current subs are retired or students and aren't always available every day. District officials are urging anyone who has a bachelor's degree and is interested to take the teacher certification test, also called the CBEST.

"For somebody who's a college graduate, it is not a difficult test; there are three components: there's a reading, a mathematics and a writing section," said Ravalin.

The situation is so dire, Visalia Unified and the Tulare County Office of Education are looking into partnering with Brandman University to hold a substitute teacher job fair in January.

Visalia Unified has also raised the guest teacher pay rate to $125 per day as an extra incentive.