By Terry Reynolds

District Administrator, Tomahawk School District

There have been many changes in education the last four years, which have impacted the number of young adults choosing to enter the teaching profession. In fact, since 2009, there has been a 30% drop in licensed teachers in Wisconsin. These changes unfortunately have caused a definite shortage of qualified teachers in all academic areas. This shortage has also caused a problem of finding Substitute Teachers for our classrooms.

Tomahawk, like many districts, is consistently struggling finding enough substitute teachers to fill in for teachers who are absent due to illness, professional workshops, etc. The District has continued to advertise for additional help, but our lists are still low in number.

So what can be done? At the start of the 2019-20 school year, the School Board approved an increase in substitute teacher pay to a daily rate of $125, which is a more competitive daily rate with other districts in the area.

We are also attempting to inform residents who may have a two-year Associates Degree or higher in any area, can qualify for a DPI three-year short-term substitute license. The three year short-term substitute license allows the educator to be in a short-term (no more than 45 days in a specific assignment) substitute assignment.

Applicants for this licensure must also successfully complete the district selected substitute training course. Individuals who hold an associate degree in Foundations of Teacher Education from one of the Graduate schools of all Wisconsin Technical Colleges already meet that training requirement.

Individuals with this substitute license are eligible to teach in any area/grade level, with the one restriction of not being able to teach in the same classroom longer than 45 consecutive days.

The application process is easy, and does not take much time to complete. We are encouraging individuals interested in obtaining a short term substitute license to contact the District Office at 715-453-5555, and we will attempt to assist you any way we can in the process of obtaining your substitute teaching license. Individuals may also access the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) website and follow the link to licensing for all the information and necessary forms.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the District Office.