Every day, more than 10,000 teachers step up to lead the classrooms of Dallas ISD. They know that every moment with their students is critically important to preparing them for the future. When a teacher must be out of the classroom, knowing a quality substitute will step in assures that students won’t miss out on valuable instruction.
Substitutes in Dallas ISD have the opportunity to work with district principals and other campus leaders, learn behavioral management and teaching skills and get an introduction to teaching in the district. Dallas ISD Talent Leader Monica Moffitt noted that, “As a substitute you are impacting the lives of students, and helping to ensure their education is uninterrupted.” Substitute Office Leadperson Nancy Ruiz seconded, “Community members can have a direct impact by being at the front line of educating our students.”
Former teachers, career changers, retirees and volunteers have all found the role of substitute teacher a rewarding experience. After 29 years of teaching, Joan Singer retired from Dallas ISD. She returned last spring as a substitute, noting she “missed teaching, missed being with the kids. But I didn’t miss all the other things you have to do as a teacher.” In her role as a substitute, she provides “consistency for the students when the teacher can’t be in the classroom.”
For Henri Simpson, a “strong sense of urgency to touch the future through helping develop young, strong, positive thinkers who can make better choices about their learning,” was the impetus to become a substitute. She knows “change is slow; however, it does take a village,” and feels strongly her work is making an impact on the community.
Schedules are flexible, and while a minimum number of instruction days are required, substitutes can determine how often, and when, they accept assignments. Because substitutes work in many schools, this role also provides a chance to experience the diversity of the district’s campuses and students.
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree, but do not need to be certified in teaching. Ruiz explained that for substitutes in Dallas ISD, “it’s about more than instruction; it’s caring for our future.”
For more information please visit the Substitute Office’s page on the Dallas ISD website, contact HCM at 972.925.4200, or begin an application by clicking here. The streamlined application process includes a brief interview and a background check.
