Substitute Teacher Shortage in Billings Area Schools

There has been a shortage of substitute teachers in Montana for the past couple of years, even before COVID-19 turned our normal life upside down. A Google search noted multiple news reports indicating the shortage is impacting schools everywhere in the state, from Kalispell to Fishtail.

Billings School District 2 Superintendent Greg Upham told us today in a brief phone interview that the shortage of substitute teachers in our area is very real and that it's become even more challenging to find enough subs lately, with COVID-19 and associated quarantines impacting staff availability.

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SD2 has relaxed some of their requirements for non-certified substitute teaching positions. Minimum requirements for applicants now include:

• High School Diploma
• Clean background check
• Pre-employment drug screen.

As an incentive, the district has increased the daily pay for subs. Non-certified substitute teachers can now earn $125 per day (up from $75). Pay has also increased for certified substitutes, from $85 per day to $150 per day. Upham said SD2 is also hiring for a variety of other part-time and full-time positions. I saw dozens of job openings on the districts Jobs page, from volleyball coaches to School Nurse and everything in-between. Upham added that while they have been receiving more applications for substitute teacher jobs, applicants are being more selective.

If you love kids, have free time and are interested in becoming a substitute teacher, find more info and apply on Billings Public Schools Careers page.