Page 96 - Superintendent Annual Report 2023-24

Substitute Office
Substitute teachers are critical to our student's success and continuing
classroom education in the absence of the regular teacher. The Substitute
Office is committed to recruiting, hiring, and supporting substitute teachers
throughout the hiring process. The office ensures our schools are staffed daily
with high-quality substitute teachers.

The District has 3,636 active substitutes within the system, and numbers continue to grow daily. The substitute fill rate
continues to increase each year. The percentage of teacher absences and vacancies filled by a substitute teacher was 74%
for FY24. The Substitute Office works with current substitutes to explore avenues for becoming certified teachers. District
substitutes’ flexibility, adaptability, and dedication contribute to each school's smooth functioning and the overall success
of students.

Retention Initiatives

Teacher Ambassador Program
The Teacher Ambassador Program continues to thrive. As a partnership between Recruitment & Retention and Professional
Development, this program was developed as a two-year pilot (FY19 & FY20) to support and onboard new teachers in the
District through the Educator Support Progam (ESP) and research-based onboarding practices. The pilot started with 10
schools. Due to the success of the Teacher Ambassador pilot, the Division of Human Resources is proud to continue to
support this program, which is now completing its sixth year across 17 schools. The Teacher Ambassadors collaborate
with school administration to create onboarding plans and motivational and engagement activities for new and transfer
teachers.

“Starstruck by You” Campaign
Each year, Public Schools Week is recognized as a time to celebrate the District and the more than 27,000 full-time, part-time,
and temporary employees who make this a high-performing District. The mission of the “We’re Starstruck by You, PBC!”
campaign, sponsored by the Department of Recruitment and Retention, is to acknowledge the hard work of all employees
who together make this District great. This FY24 campaign highlighted daily activities for schools and departments to
recognize and thank employees for their service.

Educator Certification
The Certification Office assists prospective and veteran teachers of the District in obtaining and maintaining a Florida
Educator’s Certificate. Through its partnership with the FLDOE, the office provides many FLDOE services at the District
level. It provides support and guidance to certified personnel and potential certified employees through the updating of
important information on the District’s website and HUB pages regarding teacher certification and changes to State statutes
and requirements, such as testing waivers, the 40-point reading renewal requirement, and the new 20-point Educational
Leadership renewal requirement.

The department also held monthly virtual certification chats for educators with temporary and professional certificates.
During FY24, the team processed approximately 2,400 renewals for certified educators and staff.

In addition to supporting District staff and schools, the team supports all charter schools and their employees.

Substitute Teacher & Non-Instructional Employee Advancement Scholarship
The Certification Office partnered with the Substitute Office on the Substitute Teacher & Non-Instructional Employee
Advancement Scholarship project. This one-time advancement scholarship allows current substitute teachers and non-
instructional staff with a bachelor’s degree to become Florida State-certified classroom teachers. The scholarship provides
study prep course vouchers, subject area exam vouchers, and reimbursement for State application fees.

96 Superintendent Annual Report 2023 - 2024