Take a look into your classroom when your teacher is absent, and chances are you’ll see Mr. Del Campo or Mrs. Schuster: two of Oxford’s most famed recurring substitutes. Both started as classroom teachers, but after departing from their own classrooms, took up subbing to connect with students’ lives and journeys. Continuously covering classes, they’ve become a central part of the Oxford community.
For Mrs. Schuster, Oxford’s resident sub, subbing has been one of her favorite ways to get to know students. After teaching fifth grade, she began to stay at home after having her kids. After that, she decided she didn’t want a classroom again, but missed teaching.
Over the years, Mrs. Schuster has had the pleasure of getting to know her kids from seventh grade all the way up to senior year, subbing for different grade levels.
“In 2020, when COVID hit, I started long-terming for Mr. Morris with the 7th graders. I got to see those kids all the way up until they graduated, and I attended their graduation,” Mrs. Schuster said.
Often beginning a class with his signature whistling, Mr. Del Campo previously taught math and AVID classes. After retirement, he went into subbing, which he’s stayed in for the last 10 years.
“I’ve always had a great time with the kids [in Ms. Tran’s classes]. For some reason, in her room it’s always fun because I’ve done things like ‘sliming’ with the kids and, you know, making things,” Mr. Del Campo said. “She allowed me to do things like that with the kids, and then her setup in her room is really nice.”
Mrs. Schuster enjoys subbing for senior classes; her least favorite class is also underclassmen-only!
“Anyone can tell you that PE is my least favorite. It’s almost a joke around here,” Mrs. Schuster said.
Of course, subbing isn’t always a walk in the park, and comes with its challenges that most students don’t see.
“Everybody thinks it’s just easy: You walk in and do it. No, you have to make sure you control the kids, in a sense, you know, give them boundaries. If you give kids boundaries, it’s really easy,” Mr. Del Campo said.
While subbing can be a lot of work, it’s a rewarding experience and an activity both teachers deeply enjoy despite the occasional challenge.
“It’s a great way to buffer in between careers and jobs, because it has a decent pay if you’re still looking for your career but need something that pays well. And it’s very rewarding, but I would probably stress it’s not as easy as it probably looks sometimes.” Mrs. Schuster said.
Most of all, after teaching for years, subbing has allowed the teachers to have more flexibility without being tied to one classroom or lesson planning throughout the year.
“It’s nice to just go home at the end of the day and not have all the grading and all that kind of thing to do, but I actually really love subbing and I love subbing at Oxford,” Schuster said.
Next time you see one of the Patriots’ most famous subs, don’t be a stranger. Say hi and strike a conversation with them!
