Langley latest to hire uncertified substitute teachers amid shortage

Langley is the latest Lower Mainland school district to open the door to uncertified substitute teachers, as a labour shortage continues across B.C.

However, some in education are pushing back.

While many people think they can be teachers, because the vast majority of us have been in a classroom at one point or another, it’s not that simple, says Jason Ellis, an associate professor of educational studies at UBC.

He insists certified teachers add value in all sorts of ways, based on the additional education they receive.

“It’s also a teacher who has likely had some in-service education, a teacher who understands what the curriculum is, how to deliver it, and has some knowledge about child development, and so on. So, yes, a certified teacher is an educated and prepared teacher and that is very important,” he explained.

Related articles: 

• B.C. teacher staffing shortages hit special needs students the hardest: unions

• Surrey Grade 4 student has had four teachers — and it’s only November

The Langley School District says in a statement to CityNews that it “continues to prioritize the hiring, training, and retention of [Teacher Teaching On Call (TTOC)].” It notes that posting positions for uncertified teachers is one its strategies amid the ongoing shortage.

“As this is a first for the District, there will be very few term positions offered which will give the District an opportunity to review and assess its effectiveness during that time. Prior to posting these positions, the District reached out to districts such as Chilliwack, to learn about the success they are having with [Uncertified Teachers Teaching On Call (UTTOC)] in their schools,” the statement explains.

However, Ellis worries about what effect hiring uncertified teachers will have on children.

“Typically, it takes between five and seven years for a teacher to become very effective. So someone coming right out of the box without any pre-service preparation whatsoever is not likely to be very effective. Good teachers are made, not born,” he told CityNews.

The Langley School District says the uncertified teachers who are hired are university-graduated adults who will get training and job shadowing. It adds schools will only call in uncertified teachers in cases where they have been unable to secure a certified substitute.

“To limit disruption in our schools and support positive learning environments for all students, the District is seeking support from Uncertified Teachers Teaching On Call (UTTOC) staff, who will be able to step into classes where and when needed,” the district’s email to CityNews reads.

“As outlined in the job posting, required qualifications and training include recent successful teaching experience and/or training preferred and demonstrated interest and successful experience working with children and youth.”

The district says it currently has 1,819 teachers working in Langley. There are 322 TTOCs.

To date, the district has not used any uncertified TTOCs.