SUSSEX COUNTY, Del.- Education during the pandemic has been a challenge with staffing at the top of the list.
Cape Henlopen School District is looking to add to its pool of substitute staff which has decreased over the past two months. Applicants must have at least a high school diploma. Positions include teachers, custodians, secretaries, and aides. The district says it is a great opportunity for anyone who can make their own schedule and make a positive impact on students.
The district's Supervisor of Human Resources Ned Gladfelter is pleased to see the amount of parents applying.
"The parents have always been very supportive in our district which is awesome to have," Gladfelter said. "So, some of them just see that there is a little bit of a need here and they want to get involved. Parents in the past could volunteer and do some other things and they can't always do that now because we have all these COVID restrictions in place.
Jenn Kaufmann is the parent of a third grader and Richard A. Shields Elementary School and she took the reins in reaching out to other parents by phone and through Facebook.
"The response has been super," Kaufmann said. "People I don't even know have been joining the group and have been added to the group saying 'Hey I wanted to apply. I am going to apply.' The power of social media has been significant."
Kaufmann's neighbor Katie MacGowan also applied.
"If there is anything that I can do to help out the community and help keep the children in school, I am willing to help with it," MacGowan said. "I stay at home with my younger child so I have the ability to do so."
Cape Henlopen School District Superintendent Bob Fulton released a statement:
"When we heard that a group of parents and community members started working together to try to solve for the substitute shortage in our area, we were pleased but not surprised! They have always been very supportive of our District and we are very grateful for that. Like us, they believe that the best place for our students is in school, and their response and willingness to help us when needed has truly gone above and beyond. We are so appreciative of all that they have done previously and all that they continue to do for our District."
For information on how to apply, follow the links to each district's application below:
Cape Henlopen School District: https://www.applitrack.com/joindelawareschools/onlineapp/default.aspx?choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=40233%20&category=Substitute
Indian River School District:https://www.applitrack.com/joindelawareschools/onlineapp/default.aspx?choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=40232