'We Need Your Help' | RI Issues Call For Substitute Teachers

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island's schools have been back in session for about a month, and many districts are feeling the pinch when trying to recruit enough substitute teachers.

While it can already be difficult to have enough substitute teachers at the ready during a regular year, it has been a serious issue amid the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Gina Raimondo said.

To help bridge that gap, Raimondo called on retired teachers to consider stepping forward and becoming a substitute teacher during the pandemic, especially to help support students who opted for distance learning. This is an unprecedented time, she said, and like her earlier calls for medical professionals, members of the Rhode Island National Guard and others to do their part to help the state's response, the state now needs teachers to answer the call.

"We need your help," she said.

The Rhode Island Department of Education is also offering Rhode Islanders a free training course through Highlander to get anyone interested in becoming a substitute teacher quickly trained and into classrooms — either in person or virtually — as soon as possible. More information is available on the state's school reopening website.