Finding substitute teachers can be difficult for schools during an average year; however, the search became much more challenging with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. San Leon Elementary in Dickinson ISD was one campus facing the problem of a lack of substitutes, but Principal Sherri Blackburn found a solution within her own Gator family.

Now, classrooms at San Leon Elementary are regularly staffed with four Dickinson High School graduates who are the daughters of current San Leon employees. What makes the solution even more special is that three of these four substitutes were once San Leon Elementary students. They have now returned to the school they attended as young children and are working alongside their own mothers.
 
“They bring a positive energy to the campus. We are so thankful for them and their willingness to be flexible and available without much notice,” says Sherri.
 
Morgan Perez, Makayla Hopper and Emily Grice are all Dickinson High School Class of 2019 graduates, while Allison Hines graduated from DHS in 2020. Hopper, Grice and Hines were once San Leon students.
 
“It is really surreal being back as a substitute at San Leon. It is a full-circle moment,” says Allison Hines. She is the daughter of Jenny Reece, who works as a San Leon paraprofessional. Allison is attending college pursuing a career as a social worker, so she said the opportunity to substitute was part of what she enjoys – helping others.
 
“There is such a shortage of substitutes and since my daughter wants to go into social work, it is a great opportunity to be around children, get experience and help with the need for substitutes,” says Jenny.
 
Morgan Perez is grateful for the hands-on experience with students, since she is working toward a career as a nurse practitioner in pediatric oncology. “I know having this experience working with young children will help me in my career,” says Morgan, who is the daughter of Christy Perez, a San Leon Special Education paraprofessional.
 
Christy loves getting to see Morgan in action, growing as an adult and gaining experience that she will be use in her career. She says this is a side of Morgan she would not normally see as her mom, if they were not working at the same school.

“I think it is really good for her to work with children, especially the younger children and those in the special needs classes. Morgan’s younger sister has special needs and working in the special needs classes has opened her eyes to better understand her sister,” says Christy.
 
Emily Grice, who is also pursuing a career in nursing, says she would recommend substituting to others. She is the daughter of Francesca Grice, a San Leon Special Education teacher. “Everything you learn as a substitute is great. It is so heartwarming. I would really recommend it,” says Emily.
 
The experience substituting at different grade levels has been important for Makayla Hopper as she is working toward being a teacher in the future. “It has confirmed for me that I want to teach the little kids,” says Makayla, the daughter of Dee Hopper, a San Leon Special Education teacher.

 
As for the moms, they love having their daughters working at the campus and appreciate the experience it is providing them for their future careers working with young children.
 
“I think it gives her an appreciation for everything I have done all of these years,” says Francesca Grice.
 
Dee Hopper stressed the responsibility it is teaching her daughter. “She is learning the art of teaching from teachers I trust and know that will help guide her,” says Dee.