Simra Sheikh and Kady Smith also contributed to this article.
When a teacher is absent, a substitute teacher steps in to keep the classroom running. At Malden High, substitutes do more than simply fill in for the day, they become part of the school community and make a lasting impact on students. From helping students understand their work, to creating a positive classroom, they have the opportunity to make a difference, even if they are only there temporarily. Their experiences show how even a short time in a classroom can leave a meaningful impression and effect on the students.
Behind it all is Sophia Casalletto, who works hard behind the scenes to make sure every student gets their work done and stays on track when their teacher is gone. One of the biggest challenges Casalletto shared is that when too many teachers are out of school, the school becomes overwhelmed with students who need somewhere to go. Prioritizing classes with lesson plans is Casalletto’s main solution.
After spending nearly 30 years working in high-tech marketing with a master’s degree in English, Mark Towler, a long-term substitute at Malden High shared that he likes “the idea of giving back to the community,” as there’s “always a need for teachers.”
Coming from a family of teachers, Towler has taken his long-term substitute experience as an opportunity to pursue an interest he hadn’t thought of before. Towler believes there are many ways to improve the experience for substitutes, teachers, and most importantly, students.
Towler noted that the Student Study Center (SSC), should be the last resort because students benefit more from staying in regular classes and working on meaningful assignments. “I like it when the existing teachers leave some form of a lesson plan,” he shared, explaining how lesson plans make it easier for substitutes to support students and adding how much he enjoys teaching students.
Students believe the effectiveness of a substitute depends on how they manage the classroom and engage with students. Junior Guliana DeMarco Valdes explained that substitutes often rely on assignments left by regular teachers, meaning students are usually reviewing previous material instead of learning something new.
For many students, a good substitute is one who is engaged and involved. Students enjoy when a substitute has a warm or bubbly personality.
As for substitute Dalianny Romboli, who previously taught in Hawaii, her favorite part of being a substitute is the engagement with the students.
“I think it’s good to have substitutes because that’s what sets up future teachers,” stated Valdes.
Ultimately, building substitutes are more than just temporary replacements for teachers; they are an important part of the school, helping students stay on track, ensuring a safe place, and staying dedicated to their work. Substitutes are just as important as teachers. Substitutes create the foundation for building new teachers.
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