
Substitute teacher Wayne Dunning leads a discussion in a sixth grade class at French Academy. Illinois continues to face a sharp teacher shortage, forcing districts to use long-term substitutes to ease the impact.
DECATUR — Jorden Bell describes the Rev. Wayne Dunning as the best teacher he’s ever had.
Alexandria Rice said he's patient and doesn't raise his voice. "He really cares about us," she said.
Both were in Dunning’s class last year at French Academy, where the other students agreed with their positive reviews of his performance. Yet while he just wrapped up a full school year of teaching, Dunning isn’t a certified teacher — he’s a long-term substitute.
“No sick days, no sub for the substitute, all day every day for the school year,” Dunning said. “I have enjoyed the experience.”
DECATUR — Christine Hall Ossowski spent nearly three decades as an Eisenhower High School teacher and guidance counselor. Early on, she'd work…
A teacher shortage, both in Decatur and across the state, means that more people like Dunning are leading classrooms for months or even entire school years as substitute teachers. In Illinois, substitute teachers are licensed by the state and must have a bachelor’s degree, though it does not have to be in an education-related field.
Some long-term subs are retired teachers, while others have no formal training in leading a classroom. In either case, they’re filling crucial gaps for districts that can’t otherwise fill all of their positions.
Dunning has worked as a substitute teacher in Decatur for quite some time. This year, he counted on the other sixth-grade teacher, Tami Roberts, to help him with preparing report cards and through other tasks.
But the students couldn’t tell a difference, said Julie Fane, principal of French.
“One day I said something about (Dunning) being a sub, and (the students) said 'What? Mr. Dunning is a sub?'” she said. “The kids couldn't even believe it. He truly is amazing.”
Another long-term sub at French this year was Lexy Carson, who taught physical education and is pursuing a teaching certificate because subbing helped her find her passion.
“I am so blessed to have people like Wayne and Lexy,” Fane said. “If you walked in their class you'd never know they weren't certified staff. They love children with their whole heart and teach to the standards.”
Teacher shortages
Administrators statewide have identified teacher shortages as a problem for years, but data indicates the problem is worsening.
The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools began a statewide survey four years ago asking districts whether they were having trouble finding enough qualified teachers. Last year, 85% of responding superintendents said they had either a major or minor problem with teacher shortages, up from 78% the year before.
Sixty-one percent of districts responded to the survey forming the basis for the report, released in cooperation with the Southern Illinois University System and Goshen Education Consulting. They reported that 20 percent of all positions in 2018 were unfilled for fall, or filled by unqualified professionals, and that 225 classes had to be canceled as a result. They reported that application numbers have declined in recent years, as well.
It’s unclear how many open positions statewide are being filled by long-term substitute teachers. The Illinois State Board of Education, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from the Herald & Review, said it does not collect data on the number of substitutes in long-term positions in Illinois school districts.
The Herald & Review also has submitted a FOIA request to Decatur Public Schools seeking the number of substitutes working 100 days or longer and at which schools they worked. The response is pending.
District leaders have been open about their efforts to address the teacher shortage that is affecting schools across the state. Attracting and retaining talented, invested staff is one of the main components of the district’s five-year strategic plan.
As of May 24, the last day of the school year for Decatur School District, there were 51 teaching positions open: 11 elementary, eight high school, three for K-8 schools, eight for middle school; six positions open in alternative education, one preschool position, 20 special education positions, seven teaching assistants, one librarian, two administrators and two support positions, according to the district's website.
In some cases, teachers retire but come back to the district as substitutes.

Teacher Abby Martin assists students Selena Johnson, left, and Emma Baden with a writing exercise in her fifth-grade class at Dennis School in March. There were 51 teaching positions open as of the last day of the school year for Decatur School District in late May.
Terri Dunham retired from Thomas Jefferson Middle School in 2018, but spent nearly the whole school year there this year as a substitute teacher.
“Eight of us retired last year,” Dunham said, “and of the eight, five of them weren't filled, and one was my job. So I tell people I sub for myself,” she added with a laugh. “It was an easy transition into subbing for me, because I didn't feel like I'd really retired.”
Of the eight who retired from Thomas Jefferson last year, one came back to teach math as a sub and the special education teacher came back to substitute in that position, Dunham said.
Tracey Wolff taught for 22 years in Wauconda before leaving teaching to do other things for a while. She subbed at Thomas Jefferson for a few days in December, but when they called and asked if she'd be interested in a long-term substitute post, she hesitated at first.
“I wasn't looking for full time,” she said. “But I came into the building and I loved the kids and loved the staff and said 'I'll take this job.' This is my first long-term subbing gig.”
Retired teachers can only work 100 days in the same position before it affects their pensions, but if they change positions, they can keep working. Wolff took over the language arts position that Dunham had been filling as a sub when Dunham's 100 days were used up. A retired teacher can work a total of 120 days.
Not enough subs
Not only are professional educators in short supply, but so are substitute teachers, with 63 percent of districts reporting it as a “serious problem” in the most recent statewide survey of superintendents.
Districts reported that they're coping with these shortages by pulling teachers from their prep time to cover for absences, or redistributing students into other classrooms.
A group of Decatur educators from the Aspiring Principal Leadership Institute recently gave a presentation to the Decatur Board of Education on the topic. The report, prepared by Keith Creighton, Matt Grossman, Hilda Nichols and Kristin Portis, offered some suggestions to alleviate the substitute shortage, which they described during the May 28 presentation.
“As many of you know, the lack of substitute teachers can be a really difficult hurdle to overcome because it affects our students in direct and indirect ways,” said Creighton, who teaches at Dennis School.
They suggested that the district could host hiring events and pay the required fees for new subs in exchange for 30 days of district subbing. They also said the district could streamline the steps by assisting with the process to become a certified substitute teacher: ordering transcripts, filling out the Illinois State Board of Education application; facilitating the fingerprint and background check; partnering with a physician to provide required physicals; and starting the tuberculosis test process.

Substitute teacher Wayne Dunning talks with sixth graders including Jamarion Ingram at French Academy in May. “As many of you know, the lack of substitute teachers can be a really difficult hurdle to overcome because it affects our students in direct and indirect ways,” Dennis School teacher Keith Creighton said.
There were suggestions, too, about how to retain the substitutes by making them feel valued: referring to them as “guest teachers,” for example, and having administrators greet them with a care package to make sure they feel supported.
“Hopefully, all of these efforts will get them to want to come back and work with our students in Decatur,” Nichols said.
Remember this? 21 photos of Decatur high school activities through the years
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1984: Eisenhower High School's girls bowling team was 11th in the state tournament after an 11-1 record during the regular season. Eisenhower won the sectional tournament with an all-time high six-game score for a Decatur team – 4,908. At top, from left, Lori Holt, Melinda Poe, Barb Wuellner, Darla Henry, Valerie Bonnell; bottom, Sharmil Ford, Linda Wuellner, Carolyn Thommas, Kim Cookson and Julie Boatz. Thommas was 17th individually in the state tournament.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1975: Matt Tyner, MacArthur High School quarterback, left, gives some instructions to his starting backfield teammates in preparation for the Generals' big game against crosstown rival Eisenhower at Matheson Field. Listening to Tyner are running backs Carl Spence, Zannie Rawls and Art Perkins.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1981: Offensive and defensive backs for MacArthur High School's football team are, from left, Danny Lee, Kyle Risby and Terry Spence.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1990: Fighting for the quarterback position at Eisenhower High School are, from left, Julian Watson, Maxie Johnson and Todd Jacobs.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1962: Four Eisenhower High School players named to then Herald & Review All-City Football Squad. From left, Paul Shaw, tackle; Doug Smith, halfback; Carl Hanson, tackle; and Jim Harvey, lineman.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1979: St. Teresa High School cheerleaders, front row from left, Tonya Burke, Joanie Yonker and Julie Bollero. Second row: Mary Turner, Kay Turner, Peggy McCarthy and Cathy Kaelin. Not pictured is Heidi Arseneault.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

DATE UNKNOWN: Students work in the forge and blacksmith department at Decatur High School.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1962: Students are served lunch at Eisenhower High School. Thirty-one tons of hamburger and two million half pints of milk are just part of the annual grocery order put in for Decatur public school cafeterias. Each school day, more than 4,250 meals are served by 90 women in 17 cafeterias. Helen G. Hill is the cafeteria director who is behind the entire operation.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1984: Linda Kingston, 17; Mark Muschal, 16; and Amanda Harres, 17, prepare for one of the actis for Eisenhower High School's fall talent show, 'Sights and Sounds of '84.' The performance will feature all-student talent.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1943: Decatur and Pana high school seniors are among those who are being trained in preparation for jobs in war industries in the new program offered at the NYA war production center. Operating lathes in the machine shop at the center are, Lorna Hemphill and Mary Eleanor Dembow, Pana High School. In the foreground, from left are Gerald Moore and Bill Medley, St. Teresa High School.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1958: A class in the homemaking department at Eisenhower High School is shown taking a test, with desk chairs scattered in a large room created by opening the folding partitions which separate three classrooms.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1982: Stephen Decatur High School relay runners will be featured in the girls Area Best track and field meet at Millikin University. The 400, 800 and 1,600 relay groups set school records in winning in the MacArthur district meet. The runners, from left, Susie Hunt, Beth Schumacher, Debbie Schile, Michelle Morthland, Debra Thomas and Earline Allen.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1980: Eisenhower High School won the city public school volleyball championship by compiling a 3-0 record. Front row, from left, assistant Coach Rosemary Anthony, Kelly Quinlan, Amy Webb, Margie Simon, Sheri Smith, Coach Chuck Force and Manager Donna Pratt. Back row, Ann Wasilewski, Reeni McElyea, Karen Woolen, Julie DePesa and Lori Boland.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1977: The Eisenhower High School Band was out in force and in full regalia during the Labor Day parade.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1967: Rich Edwards, left, and John Campbell, right operate TV cameras at Lakeview High School. At the high school, television is more than just viewing educational or entertaining programs. Classes are being videotaped and played back with the aim of aiding teachers in improved teaching methods.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1982: In February, the day after the Decatur Board of Education voted to close their school, a group of juniors from Lakeview High School painted the words 'LHS lives on forever' on the concrete abutment adjacent to Cerro Gordo Street overlooking East William Street Road. It was meant as an expression of loyalty, however, others thought it was an eyesore. So in April, students showed up to give the wall a solid coat of paint, covering the graffiti. In the foreground is Gary Weeks.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1988: Former MacArthur High School band director Bob Kruzan has been a driving force behind a program of putting musical instruments in the hands of students who could not afford to buy or rent instruments. Kruzan asked the Kiwanis Club for help and with Thompson-Kramer Music Co., 22 instruments were donated and repaired. The Kiwanis Club provided $1,000 for repairs.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1981: Shelbyville High School receiver Drew Woodruff was on target in the opener against Sullivan. Woodruff nabbed a 60-year touchdown pass from quarterback Trey Cox in the first quarter. It turned out to be the winning score.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1983: Chris, left, and Mike Woody are identical twins who play for Stephen Decatur High School. Coach Ed Boehm said he had trouble telling them apart, "So I decided to put them both at linebacker. That way I could just yell: 'Hey, Woody.' " Chris leads the team with 74 tackles. Mike is second with 65.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1978: Barb Tate, 17-year-old spring graduate of MacArthur High School, continued to leave the field gasping in her wake with a final round of 79 at Scovill Golf Course to capture the championship of the 50th Decatur Herald & Review City Women's Amateur golf tournament with a 54-hole total of 245.
HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK

1974: Freshman Vince Barnett, a former Decatur MacArthur High School player, is a member of the junior varsity basketball squad at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter