Central Kentucky EDUCON

In January 2021, during the high point of COVID, the Kentucky Department of Education allowed Educator Preparation Programs to develop policies that would allow student teachers to serve as substitute teachers during their student teaching semester. This new practice was intended to support K-12 schools suffering staffing shortages, but it also presented a unique opportunity for early induction into classrooms for undergraduate student teachers. In addition to gaining independent experience as substitute teachers in K-12 schools, these days also count toward the 70-day state requirement for student teachers. Each university created policies that addressed the process and duration of these substitute teacher placements with K-12 districts, which in some instances could run for the entire semester. This presentation will offer survey feedback from Campbellsville University student teachers who participated in substitute teaching during the three most recent academic years (2003 – 2006). Included in this review will be responses addressing the level of mentoring and curriculum support provided by K-12 schools, concerns and opportunities related to substitute teaching while completing student teaching, and recommendations for future use of student teachers in substitute teaching roles.