📰 K-12 Question of the Month: How are you managing substitute teacher shortages?

The substitute teacher shortage and teacher retention in general have been challenges for years now. However, this COVID-19 affected school year has been exceptionally difficult. Reports say that, to address the problem, schools have been relying on other school staff to cover classrooms, relaxing their substitute requirements, and using federal COVID-19 relief aid to increase compensation. Even with these efforts in place, some systems have been forced to cancel classes or cancel school entirely due to the substitute shortage. With cold and flu season approaching, this problem could get worse before it gets better.
What happens in your school system when a teacher is absent or leaves their position in the middle of the year, and there is no one available to lead the classroom? Have current staff been asked to take on more responsibilities to cover gaps? If that is the case, how is your system managing staff experience to ensure stability, effectiveness, and satisfaction?