Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-14-2025
Publication Title
Education Sciences
Volume
15
Issue
1
First page number:
1
Last page number:
13
Abstract
This autoethnographic study explores the lived experiences of an advanced-degree holder and educator with expertise in leadership and education policy who worked as a substitute teacher in the Clark County School District. Despite my qualifications, I often felt underutilized and disconnected, revealing systemic barriers within the educational system. Using distributed leadership theory, I examine these challenges and uncover the untapped leadership potential of substitutes to make meaningful contributions to P-12 education. This study proposes actionable solutions, including substitute profile systems, comprehensive onboarding programs, and structured mentorship initiatives. The findings highlight the importance of shared leadership in fostering equity, professional growth, and workforce stability, offering practical insights into how substitutes can transition from temporary roles to integral contributors within educational systems.
Keywords
substitute teachers; educational leadership; workforce shortages; teacher licensure; mentorship; ARL; Nevada
Disciplines
Educational Methods | Education Economics
File Format
File Size
215 KB
Language
English
Rights
IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Repository Citation
Butler, M.
(2025).
Leveraging Substitute Teachers as Educational Leaders.
Education Sciences, 15(1),
1-13.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/educsci15010082
