Substitutes

I have been pretty lucky regarding substitutes. My only complaint is that I am finding that substitutes, for the most part, are getting farther and farther from the technology grid. That is, they are not trained to handle the technology that is integrated in today's classroom which limits what the are able to do in your classroom.

I do understand that substitutes are becoming increasingly difficult to find. At my current school they are almost all retired teachers. They are good subs. Is it going to be mandated by the state at some point that all subs be trained in certain areas of technology? It sounds like something the state would do. Is that a bad thing? No, in my opinion, so that they can incorporate more of today's teaching strategies and they can fully involve themselves in what education is today. Yes, in my opinion, because if it is mandated, the amount of substitutes that will be available will be even less in my opinion. Very few retired teachers are going to pay the money or take the time to get trained in something that they are only going to use when they are subbing. I don't blame them! It is a difficult situation. What are your thoughts?