In the fall of 2021, the Ralston Public Schools experienced a rapid increase in its rate of unfilled substitute assignments. Utilizing the feedback from its substitute teacher pool, the district implemented its Associate Teacher program to provide building principals with another tool to combat the substitute teacher shortage. This presentation will focus on the theories behind the program, the dramatic impact it had on the district’s rate of unfilled substitute assignments, and the benefits Ralston has received from our program participants.
