Several desks sit empty in a second grade class at Robert M. Pyles STEM Academy in Stanton, CA. Some school districts are seeing high absenteeism among students and staff and few substitute teachers to fill in the gaps. (Photo by Paul Bersebach/Medi WASHINGTON - As the omicron variant continues to surge across the United States, school districts nationwide are stepping up their efforts to keep classrooms operating.
An increase in COVID cases has led to school officials asking staff members and others without teaching backgrounds to fill in as substitute teachers.
In Austin, Texas, the demand for substitute teachers has increased. Earlier this week, the Austin Independent School District (AISD) reported 479 substitute teacher requests with most of their instructors out for different reasons.
According to FOX7 Austin, the Georgetown ISD and Hays CISD are among the school districts in the region requesting substitute teacher assistance.