Dear Educators,

My name is Sam Akhtar, and as a former teacher and principal, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges schools face in securing reliable, well-prepared substitute teachers. During my time in the classroom, I saw how disruptive untrained substitutes can be for students, especially in high-needs schools.

The research is clear: frequent teacher absences lead to lower student outcomes, with studies from the National Bureau of Economic Research showing as much as a 1.2% drop in math scores when untrained substitutes cover classrooms. Schools already facing tough challenges are often hit hardest, deepening educational inequalities.

To make matters worse, schools serving disadvantaged populations struggle even more with substitute shortages, as highlighted in research by Jing Liu, Susanna Loeb, and Ying Shi. These students are more likely to experience inconsistent and lower-quality instruction during absences.

That’s why I created SubHub—an AI-powered platform that provides on-the-go training to substitutes. Our micro-learning courses focus on classroom management, student engagement, and effective lesson execution. SubHub’s AI Coach simulates real-world scenarios and offers real-time feedback, ensuring substitutes are prepared to walk into the classroom and succeed from day one.

We believe:

• Prepared substitutes minimize classroom disruptions and keep students on track

• Continuous development ensures substitutes stay updated on teaching strategies

• By improving substitute readiness, we also boost retention and maintain a reliable pool of qualified teachers

At SubHub, we’re committed to ensuring every classroom benefits from confident, well-trained substitutes. I’d love the opportunity to show you how we can help strengthen your substitute teacher program.

Warmly,
Sam Akhtar
CEO & Co-Founder, SubHub