SCOTT BAILEY – SUPER SUBSTITUTE
Scott Bailey has been a permanent substitute teacher and school bus driver in the Springdale
School District for 10 years. A certified teacher, why would he dedicate a decade to strictly substituting?
“Because I love kids and I probably know more teachers in the district than any teacher does,”
Bailey responds. “I’ve had a couple of opportunities to teach full time but the timing wasn’t right. My
dad was dying when one of the opportunities came open but taking care of him was the most important
thing I could do at the time.”
Certified to teach physical education, health and business, Bailey can teach all subjects as a
substitute. He has spent most of his time at the secondary level and the need for subs at Har-Ber High
School has led to his being there for most of the last two years. He loves teaching elementary students,
too, but his bus driving duties prohibit him from being available when elementary schools open at 7:45
am.
“My routes are still going when elementary schools start,” Bailey explains. “When I first started
as a sub I was at several of the elementary schools and George Junior High but that was years ago.”
How did Bailey get started as a substitute teacher?
“I was working for Dennis Home Furnishings but substituted on my days off,” he recalls. “Mr.
Dennis died and then I lost both parents. It was the worst time in my life. In the later years of her life,
my mother was a substitute teacher in Farmington. I could tell how proud she was of teaching. That had
a strong effect on me.
“So, after Dennis Home Furnishings closed I became a full-time sub. I get to the bus barn at six in
the morning and drive my routes. When school is over, I drive after school routes. I get home between
5:45 and 6.”
Are such long hours, actually performing two jobs, worth it?
“Yes, it’s worth it,” Bailey says. “I like subbing because I see more kids and more administrators.
I was in the business world for 20 years and I know the pitfalls students are about to face when they get
out of high school. I love to share insights into career possibilities with them.
“I especially love the Language Academy kids. I help them and they teach me their language. I
can communicate with Hispanic and Marshallese students. I have to be able to communicate with them
to get them home. Those kids live all over. I had one who lived at Beaver Lake. Those students are really
kind kids.”
Bailey also appreciates the staff members at each of the schools where he subs.
“Each school has an office substitute coordinator,” Bailey says. “They are all welcoming and
kind. They make us feel appreciated and wanted. That’s one of the reasons I like working in Springdale
so much. Feeling wanted goes a long way with me.”
Bailey goes a long way every day, driving a bus and substitute teaching. He and the many
substitutes that serve the district are an example of how Springdale Schools work for the benefit of the
whole child. Great substitutes help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.
On this cold snowy morning Westwood Principal Mrs. Crumby and Assistant Principal Mrs. Tompkins boarded the Polar Express to deliver hot chocolate to all the amazing staff. #THEChoice
"I started as a sub 13 years ago when my kids were in school. It grew on me because I love kids. I still have a senior at Springdale High School." - Kimberly Espejo
To continue on our first ever remote teaching and learning snow day, check out these photos of students from Sonora Elementary!
Abbey Ebey created a snowman who is promoting mask wearing. She plans on creating a story to share how she built her snowman! Kevin is excited to play in the snow and try out his new game he created with his family. Emma Elliot and her brother created a trap out of a box, wooden dominos, and tape. They plan on trapping an elf and bringing it to school! Lily Smith is measuring how much snowfall they got with a yardstick.
Pictured below is Azael Aguilar, 3rd grade student from George Elementary. Their assignment today was to build a blanket fort and read in it for 30 mins. Reading is so much fun! Thank you for sharing with us!
Caroline, a 1st grader from Westwood Elementary, worked on a snowy scene art activity with a little help from her dad and art teacher Mr. Crumby. Thank you for sharing with us!
Alexa Gallardo, from Sonora Elementary, wrote a story about a snow adventure. Looks like a good time was had by all! Thank you for sharing with us!
Check out these pictures of students from Sonora Elementary on our first ever remote teaching and learning snow day! Thank you for sharing with us!
While playing outside in the snow, 4th grade students are also collecting snow samples for a science inquiry. They are recording the amount of time it takes to melt 1 cup of snow in their home (room temperature). They are also observing to see if the melted snow still measures 1 cup and explaining why or why not.
The Michaelson brothers made a candle at home!
"Our power went out over night, so we looked up different ways to make candles. We made one out of butter, one with an orange and olive oil, one with a crayon, and one with lard. All of them worked! Who knew? Lard was the winner if you were wondering."
Central States Manufacture partners with Elmdale Elementary to bring food, gifts, and a celebration for all of Elmdale kids. This is the second year of Operation Reindeer. Students got a book, underwear, socks, a toy, coloring book/crayons, a hat, a box of frozen chicken and a box of dry goods. This year the Samaritan Feet also donated shoes and socks for every student in the building. In addition Elmdale had a drive through family celebration where Santa Claus and Ms. Claus, the Grinch, and other Disney characters were dancing and greeting the families as they drove through. A total of 266 families attended the celebration. Operation Reindeer Celebration brought a bit of joy to Elmdale! Big thank you to Central States and Samaritan Feet!
Seen here is Daniel, third grade student from George Elementary! Daniel participated in activities off of his choice board! And Ryla is writing about her snow sledding adventure this morning. Thank you for sharing with us!
Seen here is Daniel, third grade student from George Elementary! Daniel participated in activities off of his choice board! Thank you for sharing!
Bayyari teachers and staff continued their PD work from the Solution Tree PLC grant they received. Teams took turns zooming to create common formative assessments. Today they met with the assessment coach, Angie Freese from Minnesota. Way to go! Thank you for sharing!
Nothing like seeing snow up close. Jax, a first grade student, is looking at snow and ice crystals through the microscope. How fun! Thank you for sharing with us!
Students from George Elementary are wrote 5 sentence paragraphs about their favorite snow activity or memory. Pictured are third grade students from Mrs. Weatherford’s class, Aracelis Diaz Gandia and Matthew Zamora. Thank you for sharing with us!
Pictured here is Allena, from Sonora Elementary, creating a game to be played in the snow. Thank you for sharing with us!
This is Mason Parrington's drawing of the wackiest snowman using labeled shapes from Sonora Elementary! Thank you for sharing with us!
Mireya from Sonora Elementary is seen here measuring the snow in three different places to determine an average. Way to go Mireya!
Brooke Holland from Kindergarten Sonora Elementary is seen here completing her assignment today with her furry friend! Reading by Christmas Tree Light with a friend. Thank you for sharing with us!
Aixa Alcorta Lopez from Kindergarten Sonora Elementary is seen here completing her assignment today! Reading by Christmas Tree Light with a friend.
