A ‘serious problem’: Schools grapple with growing shortage of teachers and substitutes

South Florida’s schools are suffering under a pandemic double-whammy: Not enough teachers, and not enough substitutes to fill in for them.

For substitutes, the stressful working conditions aren’t worth $15 an hour when they can make more at places like Walmart or Starbucks and also secure health care. Burnt-out teachers say the passion that keeps them coming back year after year is no longer worth their mental and physical well-being and personal lives.