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)

Substitute educators face one of the most challenging jobs in education today. And, they are crucial to our public education community. They are expected to step into an unknown class, often in an unknown building, on very short notice, and pick up ongoing lessons without the benefit of knowing exactly where a teacher left off or what material students have already covered.

Statewide, the Emergency Substitute Teacher Support Project provides professional development, community, and career coaching to emergency substitutes and substitutes - and is led, designed, and delivered by current practitioners and leaders from around the state.

Questions? Contact: ESTpd@washingtonea.org


Professionalism in Teaching for Emergency Substitutes and Subs (3 clock hours)

Tuesday, November 7, 2023
4:30pm-7:30pm

This course for substitute teachers will define what professionalism is in the learning community.  Participants will examine both traditional and non-traditional ways of looking at professionalism and how one’s beliefs and values impact instruction and interactions with students. Lastly, participants will gain a basic understanding of FERPA (Family Education Rights to Privacy Act) and the responsibility that must be adhered to when working in an educational community.
Register: 11/7/23


Understanding Behavior for ESTs and Substitutes (3 clock hours)

Tuesday, November 14, 2023
4:30pm-7:30pm

This course for substitutes explores how diversity and individual experiences influence interactions in a learning environment. Using collaboration and reflection, educators will understand how moving beyond the unknown solidifies the importance of ACEs, appropriate responses, and fact finding. Participants will also explore how positive interactions can impact the growing behavioral struggles within the school community.
Register: 11/14/23


Equity, Misconceptions, and Classroom Strategies for ESTs and Substitutes (3 clock hours)

Tuesday, November 28, 2023
4:30pm-7:30pm

This course is designed to provide emergency substitute teachers and substitutes with a comprehensive understanding of equity, dispelling misconceptions, and equipping them with effective strategies for promoting equity in the classroom. Participants will explore the definition of equity, its historical origins, recognizing its roots in social justice movements and the ongoing fight for equal opportunities, and the common misconceptions surrounding it. By examining what equity is not, educators will gain the knowledge and tools necessary to foster an inclusive and fair learning environment. By exploring these foundations, educators will gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of equity in education.
Register: 11/28/23