WEA's Emergency Substitute Teacher Support Project
An initiative to support Washington's ESTs funded from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Statewide, the Emergency Substitute Teacher Support Project provides professional development, community, and career coaching to emergency substitutes (EST) and substitutes - and is led, designed, and delivered by current practitioners and leaders from around the state. The project is funded through a partnership grant with OSPI. Click HERE for more information.
The Emergency Substitute Teacher Support Project’s mission is to change the culture of how emergency substitute educators and the greater substitute community are supported, trained, and valued within public education.
Questions? Contact: ESTpd@washingtonea.org
Synchronous (Zoom) Courses
Analyzing Challenges of Subbing for ESTs & Substitutes (3 clock hours)
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
4:30pm - 7:30pm
This course is designed for substitutes to thrive in their educational settings. Participants will delve into the world of educational acronyms and gain a comprehensive understanding of the terminology commonly used in the educational environment. By navigating behavior, power struggles, and the development of analytical skills, participants will identify and address various challenges that may arise while teaching. Through the use of real-world scenarios, strategies for overcoming obstacles will be explored to equip participants with practical tools for effective problem-solving and positive response strategies that foster constructive relationships. The course will explore diverse routes available for career advancement, providing participants with a roadmap to make informed decisions about their professional development.
Register: 4/16/24
Instructional Strategies for Elementary Teaching Spaces (3 clock hours)
Monday, April 22, 2024
4:30pm - 7:30pm
This course will help substitute educators improve the effectiveness of their working and teaching in elementary schools. Participants will explore general developmental characteristics of elementary-aged students, review sample schedules and lesson plans, and expand their understanding and application of various teaching methods.
Register: 4/22/24
Universal Design for Learning 101 (3 clock hours)
Thursday, May 16, 2024
4:30pm - 7:30pm
This course is designed to provide educators with a introductory knowledge of UDL (Universal Design Learning). Participants will be introduced to what UDL is, the origin and importance of it and will personally experience UDL principles by actively using them. Participants will learn ways they can use UDL activities in educational settings to help foster an equitable learning environment.
Register: 5/16/24
Classroom Management for ESTs and Subs with Mursion Simulation (3 clock hours)
Thursday, May 23, 2024 and Tuesday, June 18, 2024
4:30pm - 6:00pm
This course will delve into the art of classroom interactions, emphasizing the significance of real-life examples to comprehend the impact these practices can have on student learning outcomes. Participants will understand the nuances of classroom management by distinguishing between effective and ineffective practices. Through simulated exercises, participants will recognize common pitfalls and mitigate challenges that can hinder a positive learning environment. Using a variety of management strategies, they will learn how to implement these strategies effectively to facilitate a dynamic and participatory learning experience. By the end of the course, participants will not only have a comprehensive understanding of effective classroom management but also possess the practical skills necessary to cultivate a positive and thriving educational setting. Please note this class is a two-part course and you will need to plan to attend both sessions (May 23 and June 18).
Register: 5/23 & 6/18/24
Building Educational Agreements with Mursion Simulation (3 clock hours)
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 and Thursday, June 6, 2024
4:30pm - 6:00pm
The course will delve into the importance of community agreements in fostering a thriving educational climate. In this course, participants will be focusing on how to set boundaries with students and learn practical strategies for communication, creating a positive atmosphere, and managing expectations to ensure a collaborative space for both educators and students. Through interactive simulations, participants will actively engage in setting community agreements. The course will provide opportunities for self-reflection, allowing educators to analyze and learn from their experiences to refine their skills in facilitating meaningful community agreements. Please note this class is a two-part course and you will need to plan to attend both sessions (May 28 and June 6).
Register: 5/28 & 6/6/24
Technology in the Classroom for ESTs and Substitutes (3 clock hours)
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
4:30pm - 7:30pm
This course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the historical implications and the critical importance of technology integration into the classroom setting. Through a combination of theoretical exploration, hands-on experiences, and reflective practices, participants will gain insights into the transformative role of technology in education. By evaluating the benefits and limitations of different software tools for teaching and learning, participants will engage in practical, hands-on activities to experience the application of the software and develop skills in navigating and utilizing the tools effectively. By the end of this course, participants will be well-equipped to leverage technology as a powerful tool in education that ultimately enhances the overall educational experience for all stakeholders.
Register: 6/4/24
SubAcademy (up to 6 clock hours)
Emergency substitutes and substitutes are invited to attend a full day of professional learning designed specifically for substitutes. Agenda and course selection are sent to all registrants approximately two weeks prior to each academy. In-person academies include breakfast, lunch, and free parking.
- Saturday, May 4, 2024 / Spokane / Double Tree by Hilton / 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Saturday, May 18, 2024 / Federal Way / WEA Headquarters / 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Saturday, June 1, 2024 / Virtual / Zoom / 8:00am - 3:15pm
Asynchronous Courses
WEA is excited to offer support for Emergency Substitutes in Washington state with professional development. They still have 175 FREE memberships to SubSchool. SubSchool offers a dynamic and modern virtual learning platform for Emergency Substitutes to access self-paced courses. Upon registration, you will receive a link to set up your SubSchool account. You will use your SubSchool account to access all courses. You only need one SubSchool account. If you want clock hours for each course, you will need to Register with ALL Cvent course links. Please review the process when you Register for each course. SubSchool courses are asynchronous. Clock hours will be issued on a quarterly schedule, and SubSchool courses must be completed by 5/31/24.
Welcome to Substitute Teaching (2 clock hours)
This is the Introductory course, learners will focus on understanding the role of a substitute teacher.
Register Here
Classroom Management Series (5 clock hours)
This series is made up of 4 courses focusing on managing classroom culture and routines. The courses include: Introduction to Classroom Management, Proactive Classroom Management, Responsive Classroom Management, and You as the Classroom Manager
Register Here
Facilitating Instruction Series (5 clock hours)
This series is made up of 4 courses focusing on facilitating instruction. The courses include: Introduction to Facilitating Instruction, Teaching a Lesson, Adding the “How”, and When you Need a “What”
Register Here
Trauma-Informed Teaching (2 clock hours)
This course focuses on being a trauma-informed teacher in the context of managing the classroom and your role as a substitute.
Register Here
Supporting Students with Disabilities (2.5 clock hours)
This course reviews the what, why, and how of supporting students with disabilities (SWD). Subs will get tools for creating inclusive and nurturing learning environments via rich, in-depth, and engaging videos and interactive tools.
Register Here