You see them every day all throughout the building in different classrooms. It is possible they know you by name, but do you know them? Mr. Dan Gaffney, Mrs. Donna Centifonti, and Mr. Greg Still are CHS’ beloved permanent substitute teachers, filling in for all types of roles and different subject matters in the absence of teachers.  

Gaffney pointed out how important his role is as a substitute teacher to uphold standards, even without the teacher’s presence. 

“I think when you have more than one day of the teacher being absent, you really rely on that sub to kind of just ensure that the class is maintaining consistency, completing their work,” Gaffney said.

In addition to maintaining consistency in the classroom and ensuring students are learning, substitute teachers also work on fostering genuine connections with students. As an alumnus of CHS, Gaffney said he tries to relate to students through having real-world conversations and sharing stories about his time as a CHS Pirate. 

“And if I can share my experiences and try to prevent some of the students from making the same mistakes as I did,” Gaffney said.

Similarly, Still tries to ensure students have the same positive experience he had while attending Cinnaminson High School. 

“Allowing kids to have the same good experience I did – it’s pretty cool,” Still said.

With a busy and different schedule – often every day – one would imagine the subs of CHS wouldn’t have time to enjoy the little things. However, Centifonti disagrees. She said she feels passionate about teaching, with particular interests in PE, DECA, and biology. According to her, subbing in these subject areas allows her to stay up to date on things she said she would have probably forgotten if she wasn’t in the world of education. 

In classrooms across the high school, substitute teachers not only step in to maintain order but also find genuine fulfillment in their work, each drawn to and sustained by their own unique reasons for entering and remaining in the profession. Gaffney, for example, said he went into subbing for the fun of it while he works toward his teaching credentials.  

“I like how every day is different. I’m usually not the same sub every day, so, you know, different classes, different kids, different students, all over the school,” Gaffney said about his typical day.

Centifonti said she initially became a substitute teacher as a way to help her son, but found she loves the job.

“So, back when my son was younger, he developed a learning disorder…so to be with him and help him educationally, I quit my full-time job and became a substitute teacher,” Centifonti said. “So it put me on the same hours, and I can learn as he was learning and help him along the way with his education.”

Though each substitute teacher started for his/her own individual reasons, they all found a shared purpose and love for the CHS community while on the job. 

While having a job working with different adolescents on a daily basis can be difficult, the rewarding moments found in each day encourage each of them to continue coming back to CHS each year.

“I love the flexibility. I love the hours, and I love the kids, but to be honest, I never wanted the responsibility of having to deal with parents or the administration or rules. You know what I mean? I just love doing what I do,” Centifonti said.

All in all, substitutes are true wonder workers in the building, stepping up when needed and conquering each day, one at a time.