Yes, they certainly are needed

[ckd]

Advertisement in the Boston Globe, October 30, 2006. Page C5. All spelling, line breaks, and capitalization as original.

SUB TEACHERS
NEEDED
Associates Degree only Qualifacation
Experience a plus, but
NOT NESSESSARY.
Immediate openings.

I wish I were kidding.

Comments

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

After making fun of them, I don't suppose you recall what district is so in need of substitutes? I'm currently out of work, and substitute teaching is not high on my list of temp prospects...but it can be a useful way for overeducated geeks to make a bit of money while doing something useful and looking for work. In some districts. The ones I've looked at close to home are sufficiently well supplied with teachers that they can require subs to have teaching experience or teaching-specialized education.

[ckd]

The ad wasn't for a district; it was for what looked like some recruiting company with a toll-free number. (Unfortunately, I didn't save a copy of the ad.)

[ckd]

There's another (but now spell-checked) appearance of the ad in today's paper. The only contact info is "OPIS 888-505-6747".