A severe substitute teacher shortage in the Florida school district where Barbara Clyatt works means when the first grade teacher submits for time off, there’s not always someone who can cover. Students can get split up and placed in other classes — which can be disruptive to their education.

“There’s some kids who thrive on a set schedule, it needs to be the same every single day. And when that gets thrown away, the last thing they’re doing is paying attention to what you’re teaching,” said Clyatt.

Substitute teacher shortages, like the broader shortage of teachers, are happening in school districts around the country — and are directly connected.

“The substitute crisis, I believe, has reached crisis proportions, because there’s greater demand than supply,” said Lisa Thomas, a substitute teacher in Connecticut and chair of the Coventry Town Council. “The demand is high because we don’t have the teachers we need.”