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What Board of Education President Brian Aldrich called a "unique situation" at the Fredonia Central School District highlights an issue many districts are facing with hiring first-year teachers.
Fredonia hired Tehya Sharp as a science teacher at Fredonia Middle School, with the understanding that Sharp was soon to receive an official teaching certificate. However, the state rejected Sharp's application because of a lack of qualified hours teaching the subject Sharp was hired to teach.
For new teachers like Sharp, 40 hours in the content area they are hired to teach are required to receive a certificate, along with a degree. Sharp has a degree in Biology, but did not meet the 40 hours of teaching the subject, because of the path Sharp took to obtaining the degree. Sharp went through an education program at Jamestown Community College, rather than obtaining a master's degree in education.
"The concern isn't so much the 40 hours, it's the application to the state – how long that process is now taking to get reviewed, to get the approval," said Margie Wright, Chief Officer for Curriculum and Human Resources. To rectify the issue, Sharp resigned from the middle school science teaching position for the purpose of accepting a long-term substitute position with the district. Sharp will teach the same class the district expected a need for, but Sharp will gain the hours necessary in the meantime, while also awaiting state approval once all requirements are met for certification.
"So it will take longer for the state to certify her than it will for her to get the hours," Aldrich asked.
"Absolutely," Wright responded. She stated that it is becoming common to see first-year teachers hired as long-term substitutes before their certification is approved. "This protects all parties," she said Sharp will receive tenure credit while serving as a long-term substitute.