Growing up, my peers and I always associated substitute teachers with having a laid-back and easy day. Having an alternative teacher was an opportunity to act as if we didn’t have any “home training,” ...

ORLANDO, Fla. – There’s no doubt that substitute teachers play an important role in the state’s education system, filling in the gaps when a classroom’s regular instructor is sick or unavailable.

Joannie Neal, 71, started substitute teaching nine years ago after she retired from a career in information technology. “I thought there’s got to be something more to life than just this, so I fell ...