Lawmaker volunteers as substitute
The Tulsa Council of PTAs urges legislators to help schools save money.
 
By SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer
Published: 2/20/2010  2:24 AM
Last Modified: 2/20/2010  5:07 AM

Rep. Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa, told Rogers High School freshmen that the first words in the U.S. Constitution's preamble — "We the People" — mean that citizens, not lawmakers, control the government.

As a volunteer substitute teacher in an American government history class Friday, Proctor explained to students their responsibility in informing elected officials what they want and keeping them accountable.

"Get involved; get active," he told the class. "Don't think you're too young."

Proctor handled the lessons about the meaning of the preamble left by the teacher then answered questions about his experiences as a state lawmaker.

He's no stranger to the classroom. Proctor is a former history and government teacher at Owasso's alternative school, Ram Academy, and said he enjoyed being back in front of students.

"I'm loving this," he said. "They're a great group of kids. They were excited about the subject matter."

Proctor spent time going over how state government works and some of the issues he will be voting on during the session.

He was one of several state legislators in Tulsa classrooms Friday as part of a push by the Tulsa Council of PTAs for lawmakers to be more involved in schools.

The group wants to "have them walk the halls to see not only what it's like for the teachers but also what the students go through," said Karen Gilbert, the council's president.

Proctor agreed and encouraged adults to participate in Tulsa Public Schools' volunteer substitute program called "Teach for the Stars."

"You're going to get a lot out of it," Proctor said. "People in Tulsa can come and volunteer a day. Help out Tulsa Public Schools; they need help."

Budget shortfalls caused the district to begin using volunteer substitutes in February in hopes of saving about $400,000. Substitutes are being paid when teachers have long-term absences for medical or maternity leave.

The volunteers must be go through training and a background check before teaching a class. The next volunteer substitute training is Wednesday evening with two more sessions in March.

State law will not allow Proctor or any lawmaker to teach while serving as a legislator, but elected officials can substitute as long as they aren't paid.

"I would challenge other legislators to do the same," he said.