FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Schools across North Carolina are experiencing a substitute teacher shortage.

What You Need To Know

  • A national substitute teacher shortage is affecting classrooms across the state

  • Cumberland County Schools filled only 67% of substitute teacher openings in the 2023-24 school year

  • A typical day in Cumberland County could see more than 300 substitute requests

  • This year the district is outsourcing the hiring of substitutes to Educational Solution Services

Last year, Cumberland County Schools filled only 67% of its substitute teacher openings. The district had to rely on other staff and faculty to fill the rest of the openings. Substitute teachers say they can have a big impact on students.

“You are setting example each and every day as a substitute teacher to make a difference inside whatever classroom you walk in,” said substitute teacher Orion Richardson.

Richardson has been a substitute for the past two years while he works on his degree.

“I actually do like being a teacher. Only because of the fact of the matter. Yes, it can be challenging. Yes, it can be hard….” Richardson said. “But if you love children and you love to teach children, just you coming in and showing your presence and giving all that you have… then it's pretty much good, and you're fine.”

His goal is to teach middle school science, but right now he’s subbing in a social studies classroom. Richardson is taking over the classroom at Anne Chesnutt Middle School at least until the end of August, but he could finish the entire school year with this class. This happens often when there’s not enough staff.

Ruben Reyes, Cumberland County schools' associate superintendent for human resources, says filling substitute teacher positions has gotten trickier since the pandemic.

“On a typical day, you could see about 330 requests for substitutes,” Reyes said. “Sometimes on a very busy Friday, we've seen up to 500 or 600 substitutes.”

Last year, school administration had to fill the spot when a teacher called out. This year, they’re outsourcing that responsibility to a company called Educational Solution Services that hires substitute teachers across the country.

“We're looking for individuals that really see the long-term value,” said Courtney Williams, ESS district manager. “They need to understand that just being in the classroom one day makes an impact to those students. So if we can make change, if we can make sure that they learn while the teachers are absent, we're doing exactly what we need to do.”

That’s why Richardson does this job, to make an impact just like his teachers did for him when he studied in these same rooms years ago.

“To be able to teach with them now and able to work with them now is amazing,” Richardson said. “Because it's like you're watching the people that basically molded you and shaped you, taught you different things to see you grow into who they are, who they basically created.”

ESS is trying to build up available substitute teachers within the company in hopes of helping ease the shortage in the state. The company works with 27 school districts in North Carolina and 900 nationwide.