Dysart Offers Guest Teacher Incentives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 8/27/2021

Dysart Unified School District’s Governing Board approved a Guest Teacher Incentive Program to begin September 1 and run through December 3, 2021. Guest teachers can earn up to $3,100, in addition to their daily rate of pay, if they work 44-55 days within the designated time period and $2,050 if they work 29-43 days. 

Guest teachers, also referred to as “substitutes”, have always been needed, but the COVID pandemic has further magnified that need.  The goal with the incentive is to increase the amount of substitute teachers working in the district. Currently only about 65% of openings in Dysart are being filled on a daily basis, so schools must find alternative ways to provide coverage for classes - often needing to call on office staff to assist, have teachers work during their prep periods, or combine classes.

“Guest teachers play a critical role in education,” said Dr. John Croteau, Assistant Superintendent for Human Relations. “Schools can’t operate efficiently without the continuity they bring to the learning process when there are staff absences.”

Last school year, the district ran a similar incentive program, and found it to be highly successful in increasing the number of guest teachers working in the district, as well as the number of days those guest teachers worked. Additionally, Dysart added permanent guest teacher positions last year to help combat the challenge, with one assigned to each elementary school and two assigned to each high school.

Last school year, the district ran a similar incentive program, and found it to be highly successful in increasing the number of guest teachers working in the district, as well as the number of days those guest teachers worked. Additionally, Dysart added permanent guest teacher positions last year to help combat the challenge, with one assigned to each elementary school and two assigned to each high school.

Last school year, the district ran a similar incentive program, and found it to be highly successful in increasing the number of guest teachers working in the district, as well as the number of days those guest teachers worked. Additionally, Dysart added permanent guest teacher positions last year to help combat the challenge, with one assigned to each elementary school and two assigned to each high school.

About Dysart Schools 

Dysart Unified School District serves nearly 24,000 pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students in the Northwest Phoenix Metropolitan area, encompassing 140 square miles, and serving parts of El Mirage, Glendale, Surprise, Youngtown, and Maricopa County.  The district is home to four K-4 elementary schools, four middle schools serving grades 5-8, 12 K-8 elementary schools, four comprehensive high schools, a preschool, and one alternative program.