Some parents and community members in Grant County got a three-day crash course this week on how to be a teacher.

        In just 18 hours, the 26 participants covered everything from fire drills and school rules to following lesson plans and controlling classrooms. And now they'll be ready if they get an early morning call to fill in as emergency substitute teachers.

        "They gave us some really good tips on how to improvise,” said Sheri Weston, a Dry Ridge parent who went through the training. "I'm sure it's going to be really scary the first time.”

Peggy Spillman (right), who was training emergency substitute teachers for Grant County Schools, talks with Anitra Lorentz about teachers' responsibilities this week at Mason-Corinth Elementary School. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        Facing a shortage of qualified substitute teachers, the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board this fall launched a statewide program that allows people with little or no training as teachers to be substitutes.

        Regular substitute teachers must have a teaching certificate from an accredited college or university. In emergency situations, districts can also turn to those who have at least 64 hours of college credit.

        But this program allows districts to hire people with no more than a high school diploma.

        "These folks, obviously, are coming in a bit cold,” said Mary Ellen Wiederwohl, a spokeswoman for the standards board. "We don't see this as a long-term solution.”

        Grant County is one of 28 Kentucky districts participating in the initiative, which began as a pilot program two years ago. Three other Northern Kentucky districts, Boone County, Covington Independent and Erlanger-Elsmere Independent, are also participating.

        The program was first tried in 1998 in five urban districts, including Covington, that had an average of 100 days when a substitute teacher could not be found. Last year, another 11 districts were allowed to participate, and the standards board opened it up to the entire state this year, Ms. Wiederwohl said.

        So far, 28 school districts have applied and been approved. Most are in Central Kentucky, where the economy is strongest and schools have more trouble recruiting substitutes, she said.

        Many of the people who go through the program are teachers' aides or others already associated with the schools, Ms. Wiederwohl said. But there's also a large number of parents and some retirees.

        "I just enjoy working with the youth,” said Stan Flerlage, a retiree from Cincinnati Bell who just finished the Grant County training. "This is a great opportunity for those of us who've always wanted to get in the classroom to do it.”

        The participants get fairly intensive training, which includes teaching strategies, education laws and survival techniques, said Crickette Todd, Covington's professional development director who trained 32 emergency substitutes in September and October.

        "We give them a real indoctrination of support services and resources available to them so they're not just going into the classrooms and being thrown to the wolves,” she said. "I tell them that it takes four years for most to know everything they're going to learn in three days.”

        Participants must also complete a screening process that includes an interview, criminal background check and test of basic math, reading and writing skills. And program participants are still only to be used if districts can't find regular substitutes.

        Last year, Grant County couldn't find an official substitute for 464 classes, or 26 percent of its teacher absences. Instead, those classes were doubled up, covered by teachers giving up their planning period or supervised by principals and guidance counselors.

        Erlanger-Elsmere had 109 days last year when a substitute could not be found. And the district began school this year with a list of only 11 certified substitutes, who also work in other Northern Kentucky districts, Superintendent Jim Molley said.

        Erlanger-Elsmere trained 13 people to be emergency substitutes earlier this month, some who have already been called to the classroom.

        Not only does the program allow districts some reprieve, it boosts community involvement in the schools, Mr. Molley said.

        "It gets parents in my classrooms,” he said. "We've been trying hard to do that.”

Poll sees firm lead for Bush in Ohio
Volume raises fear of delays
N.Ky store faces obscenity charges
Clark Montessori's trademark: Music
Differences mark suspect, rapist
RAMSEY: CPS levy
Deerfield finances worrying Warren
Hidden office camera proves dud
Tristaters set to Make A Difference
HOWARD: Survivor
Museum's ex-director honored
Nephew gets 15 years to life
Payment pursuit brings award
Candidates please business
Grand jury indicts suspect on charge of murder in fatal shooting
Homes get heating help
Information about sludge flows slowly
Ky. body sleuths turn to Web
Lynne Cheney visits Owensboro elementary school
McNUTT: Save Main St.
Naberhaus makes 3 in race for commission seat
Political yard signs allowed, for now
Politics makes the grade
Program helps low-income reduce home heating bills
School board race focuses on finances
Social event of year in Ky.
Teachers trained to fill in
Urban center gets funding
Vote on liquor disputed
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report