Like father, like daughter: Bethel Park substitute teaching makes for family connection

Two teachers arrive at school at 7 a.m.

They check their schedules.

Then compare to see if they have the same free period at lunch. If they do, you will find them dining together.

It’s a father-daughter date.

“Almost every other day we meet for lunch,” said Ava King.

“It gives me more time to spend with her,” said her dad, Mark King.

Mark, who turned 66 on March 19, and Ava, 22, are substitute teachers in Bethel Park School District. They are filling in for educators on leave or away for other absences.

A family connection

The father and daughter live in Mt. Lebanon. They chose Bethel Park because Ava’s grandfather, Joseph C. Dimperio, is the school district’s former acting superintendent.

He worked for the district in a variety of capacities, which included being a summer tutor and teacher in the summer remediation program.

“My grandfather just spoke so highly of his brief time at Bethel Park and the special people here, and I’d have to agree with him there,” Ava said. “Everyone has just been so helpful and kind, and I sincerely appreciate it.”

Dimperio said that at the point last year when he completed being the acting superintendent, Mark had just retired, and Ava had one semester of college to complete in the fall.

“I suggested they teach at Bethel because of the great need for substitute teachers,” Dimperio said. “They both love it, and I am so proud of them.”

Teaching together

Mark started subbing in fall 2021. His daughter began in February.

Ava plans to return to medical school in the summer. She said she is learning a lot in the Bethel Park classrooms. Her passion for education was inspired by her father. He never had to make her or her younger sister, Lana, 20, go to school.

They always wanted to go, Ava said.

Ava and Mark said that when they walk into a classroom, the teachers already have left assignments. The instructors on site help with any questions.

“There is always a plan,” Mark said. “We are there to help the students with whatever they need. It’s really enjoyable.”

Class is in session

The father-daughter duo select the days they want to work through jobs posted on the PrecisionHR Solutions app.

PrecisionHR focuses on providing staffing for public, non-public and charter schools, intermediate units, wrap-around programs, educational organizations, as well as programs for Head Start/Early Head Start, alternative and special education.

There are always choices.

On a typical day, 10% of a school’s staff is absent, said Paul Broman, program manager based in Carnegie for western Pennsylvania for PrecisionHR Solutions, Inc., headquartered in Philadelphia. The numbers rise when the weather is nice, Broman said.

“People don’t realize how bad this situation is,” he said. “There are so many moving parts that it’s like moving pieces on a chess board. And this is a countrywide problem, not just here in western Pennsylvania.”

Substitute teachers’ daily pay ranges from $90 to $150, Broman said. In Pennsylvania, individuals can be substitutes without having a state certification. A bachelor’s degree is needed, or they can qualify with a minimum of 60 college credits in a teaching program.

“The number of students enrolled (as education majors) has slowly been depleting,” said Broman, who makes visits to talk with college students about to graduate to help them find a substitute teaching job, which can be a path to a full-time position.

He also helps find paraprofessionals — individuals who work one-on-one with students — and custodians and school nurses.

Broman said he believes fewer people are choosing a teaching career because of the salary, plus more people now want to work from home. There could be potential issues with students, and sometimes dealing with parents can be challenging.

Being in the classroom isn’t as desirable, he said.

But Ava and Mark King said they love being with the students in the classroom.

Diverse backgrounds

According to Bethel Park, substitute teachers come varying backgrounds including police officer, former small-business owner, parent, accountant, U.S. Air Force Academy alumnus and retired airline pilot, such as Mark King. His daughter graduated in December from the University of Miami, Fla.

Bethel Park High School principal Joe Villani said via email that the Kings have been wonderful additions.

“We have so many substitute teachers who come to us from so many different backgrounds and who often bring with them a wealth of knowledge and/or experience,” said Villani. “They are integral to everything we do and pivotal to our ability to give in-person instruction every day.”

Lunch time

Mark and Ava King want to help get the word out to those who might want to be substitute teachers.

It’s been a chance for them to help in the classroom and do it together as well as break together. They usually pack their lunches.

“This time together is special,” Mark said. “It’s not just about having lunch. It’s about being with each other.”

The two have taught a myriad of different subjects including special education, economics, mathematics and civics.

“It has been a really interesting challenge to constantly be working with different students and in different subject areas,” Ava said. “We are just at such different points in our lives, and it is an absolute blessing to be able to share this special experience together every day.”