Did you know that there was a day dedicated to substitute teachers? November 21st is known as National Substitute Appreciation day. At Oregon City High School, there are many well known substitute teachers along with some less well known.. Nonetheless, there’s a day dedicated to all of them, well known or not. But how many people know about Substitute Appreciation Day?

These questions -and many others- were asked to students and two of the well known substitutes at OCHS. This helps to not only spread the word about this day but also learn things about substitutes that people may not have known before.

Some students may wonder if substitute teachers enjoy filling in for full-time teachers. Samantha Taplin says it has a lot of good.

“I really do! It brings me a lot of joy to support both teachers and students,” substitute Samantha Taplin said. “As a substitute I have the unique opportunity to support the whole district. I get to make connections and keep things on track while teachers have to be away from their classrooms.”

Dillon Daniel-Daniel Hoffman gives a bit of background information while also answering a commonly asked question. Why aren’t substitutes just full-time teachers?

“I gave classroom mathematics teaching all I had for 13 years, and I did a lot of good during that time,” Hoffman said. “But this is a new era of my life that includes being the best dad I could be to my five year old daughter (while being the best possible husband to my wife), and this job allows me to be the best version of those while making a meaningful impact on students.”

These substitutes were then asked what grade level they prefer teaching and why.

“Every grade level has its pros and cons, but sophomores are my favorite.”

Daniel-Hoffman said, “They are old enough to be relatively mature, while being far enough from graduating that they are not in full blown senioritis mode yet.”

Taplin said she also prefers high schoolers along with elementary school students seeing as she used to be employed full time at an elementary school.

Another question that led to similar answers was: “What are some struggles you have that are caused by being a substitute teacher?” Both substitutes had multiple struggles they faced but also one in common.

Some students may wonder if being a substitute is easy work. Daniel-Hoffman said it’s difficult to not have a reliable paycheck.

“The flexible schedule is unpredictable and results in a somewhat unpredictable paycheck,” Taplin said. “Because I cannot always know when I will be needed, I cannot rely on a consistent income.”

The final question asked to the substitutes was: “Do you think substitutes are treated with equal power, a lower power, or a higher power compared to teachers by students?” Both substitutes gave relatively the same answer.

“It’s tough – lots of times students see a substitute teacher and think ‘cool, we don’t have to do anything today,’” Daniel-Hoffman said. “Or they don’t know them as well as their regular teacher, so the respect and effort can sometimes not be there compared to what they would give their regular teacher.”

After talking to substitutes, some students were asked some questions as well. One question asked was: “Do you like having substitutes?” The group answered in unison and answered yes. They then were asked: “Do you prefer having a substitute over a regular teacher?” One student had a thoughtful answer.,

“I enjoy having substitutes but I prefer having a real teacher because they know the subject we’re learning better than a substitute would.” Sophomore Ruby Nordhausen said, “It just depends what class it’s for and what teacher I usually have.”

Students were then asked: “Did you know there was a substitute appreciation day?” Students had a shared answer.

“I had no idea.” Sophomore Evelyn Borkus said.

Finally, the last question asked of the subject was: “Do you think substitutes deserve a whole day for appreciation?” There were a few different responses for this.

“I mean, I think they put in a lot of good work to help people.” Senior Shaleen Isaacson said. “I think anyone who helps people deserves appreciation. Especially if you’re dealing with teenagers.”

The hope of this survey towards students and substitutes was to help people learn more about substitutes and maybe open an eye.