When Shannon Gillis walks into a new classroom, she knows the routine is about to change. As a substitute teacher at Lake Shore High School, she has to quickly adapt and build connections with students in a single day. But with patience and a smile, she makes it work—one lesson at a time. 

Gillis said, “Being in the building every day and talking to students builds trust and relationships; that’s how I assert authority in a classroom. Then it comes to a point where it becomes mutual respect.”   

Mutual respect among students is something that we need in today’s classrooms. This shows how much she cares about her job, even though she is only there briefly. 

Gillis said that one of her most wild classroom experiences was when “a kid was playing leap frog on the desk and he jumped from one desk to another and busted his chin open.” 

Being a sub can come with many difficult situations. Gillis handled this very well by calling the authorities, and the kid was escorted. 

Gillis favorite thing about being a sub was connecting with students. She said, “I love to see the kids grow over the years and hear about what their plans are. Most tell me about their weekend without a filter, and it lets me know that they can trust me and that I’m a safe place for them.” 

Gillis soon hopes to become a full-time teacher one day. She explained, “I am in this teacher’s for tomorrow’s program. I hope to become one in the next year when a position near me opens up.”

Gillis has two kids at Lake Shore, She said, “My kids being at Lake Shore makes it a way better experience, it makes it so I can be a part of their lives in and out of school. My favorite thing is watching my son Donovan perform in school musicals.”

Gillis, being the sub she is today, has made Lake Shore better. You can always find her talking to the students or in the classroom.