New York City Department of Education Substitute Teachers have evolved with the high demand for coverage in our New York City Public School classrooms. We service 1,800 public schools across the five boroughs with a goal to continue education while full-time classroom teachers are not available. Many classroom teachers will be out of the classroom throughout the school year for required Professional Development workshops as well as personal reasons. During this time Substitute Teachers are needed to continue classroom routines in order for students to continue with their lessons. Without us, classes can be split and placed in other classrooms with busy work or entire classes have to sit in the auditorium or cafeteria without proper coverage.

 

When Mayor DeBlasio decided to close New York City Public Schools due to Covid-19, there was no plan in place to financially assist Substitute Teachers during the closure, nor has the DOE or UFT addressed any plan on using substitutes for coverage during the remote learning period.  The DOE does not allow Substitute Teachers to receive Unemployment Benefits. We are unable to support ourselves or our families with no income and will have to look for alternative work during this time of uncertainty.

 

We are asking Mayor DeBlasio, The Department of Education and School Chancellor Richard Carranza as well as the UFT to step up and do the right thing by either allowing us to work or collect Unemployment Benefits during this time.

Here are some quick facts about NYC DOE Substitute Teachers:

- In order to become a Substitute Teacher for the DOE in NYC you must hold a Bachelor’s Degree and have a maximum of 21 credits in Education courses as well as a hold a variety of required certifications including “Dignity for All Students Act” (DASA).

 

- Substitute Teachers are represented by the United Federation of Teachers (UFT).  We give the UFT a percentage of every paycheck we receive.

 

-Many Substitute Teachers work as full-time Substitutes which means this is our career and how we provide four ourselves and our families. There is so much need for Substitutes that we can choose to work in different schools every day or remain in one school if needed. We are eligible for long-term classroom assignments.

 

-Substitute Teachers come from a variety of professional backgrounds including retired classroom teachers and graduate students in Education programs working towards their Masters. Some Substitute Teachers come from unrelated professional backgrounds that benefit student education such as artists, musicians, publishing, etc. We also have Substitute Teachers who suffer from chronic illnesses and cannot have a full-time classroom but are still able to come in and perform the duties of classroom teachers.

 

I hope this helps everyone learn about the importance of Substitute Teachers in NYC Public Schools and you will sign to help us gain the support we need through this shut down due to Covid-19.

Thank you!