Substitute teachers are the unsung heroes of the school community. As we celebrate Substitute Educators Day this Friday, November 18, it’s worth highlighting how important subs are to a successful school. I retired last June after five years as principal of Forest High School in Ocala, FL, and immediately took a new position as the principal of a new charter high school that will open in Ocala this fall. In my previous job, and in this one helping to plan the new school, I have tried to make sure that our substitutes were valued and appreciated—and that they would want to come and work at our school again.