Police Officers Step In As Substitutes At Moore Public Schools

Moore Public Schools is working to fill several positions at multiple schools. The Moore Police Department said they work in schools every day and saw substituting as a way to provide extra help.

Moore Police officers stepped in as substitutes this week at several Moore Public schools to help with the teacher shortage.

Around 6 officers with the Moore Police Department were assigned classrooms. Sergeant Jeremy Lewis was one of them.

“I know a teacher's job is very difficult. I definitely know an elementary school teacher's job is very, very difficult. The kids are a lot of fun, but it's kind of fun because I’m only there for a week,” Sgt. Lewis said.

Sergeant Lewis spent time in Apple Creek and Timber Creek Elementary School. He said he knows he does not take the place of having an educator in the classroom. His role is to simply guide students through the lesson plans provided by teachers.

“We're not teachers and substitutes aren't teachers, but we're following the plans. All of our kids that we've had so far all have chrome books so they all have laptop computers and are able to do their lessons that they've been taught on those computers and I haven't had a lot of questions,” Sgt. Lewis said.

Moore Public Schools posted to social media thanking the officers for their service. Sergeant Lewis said they believe their efforts went beyond the classroom and probably helped parents out as well.

“I don't know if they could get the same work done at home. I know the parents probably benefit a little bit because they're not having to get childcare and find someone for these kids to go,” Sgt. Lewis said.

Lewis said one thing he noticed is schools really need help now. Teachers and administrators are having to adapt to challenges presented by COVID-19. He said schools need substitute teachers badly. He calls on others to get involved.

“They're not getting a break. They're having to teach on their plan, cover classes, cover multiple classes. It's not something I would want to do all the time. It's a hard job,” Sgt. Lewis said.