Seamless Education by Professional Oregon Substitute Teachers
OSTA's Mission
〰️
OSTA's Mission 〰️
OSTA connects, advocates, educates, promotes, and supports the Oregon substitute teacher community and nurtures substitutes to achieve the highest standards of integrity and professional ethics. With consistency, and substance we promote the welfare and education of every Oregon student, and Oregon teachers through the active cultivation of connectedness throughout the state. Founded in significant experience, backed by contemporary academic research, factual data, and objective information OSTA advocates in government, districts, and the broader community to effect positive change in the profession and Oregon education culture.
Do you ever feel that people don’t understand what being a substitute teacher really means? Sharing our experiences can greatly help improve support for substitutes. Email us at ostasubs@hotmail.com if you need support, join and come to Office Hour if you can provide it. Together, healthy and whole for Oregon students.
join or renew for access to Sacred office hours zoom link
catie thurber-Brown
2024 Oregon Substitute teacher of the year
Osta Substitute Teacher of the year
Substitute Teacher Task Force
Bills Hearing
Feb 24
Read more about the recent Lobby Day by clicking Current Events 2025 above.
The Oregon Substitute Teachers Association is the only professional organization working exclusively on behalf of licensed Oregon substitutes
OSTA is open to all licensed substitute teachers in Oregon. We invite you to join us today!
Since 1975 we have been committed to raising the image and professionalism of substitute teaching and to increasing economic benefits.
Walter Ricks
Substitute Teacher of the year 2007
~ Rest in Peace ~
Walter Ricks, 4/5/1933-12/23/2024
A valued friend and OSTA member
Written to honor his achievement in 2007; insight into who he was and what he stood for throughout his life
Walter Ricks, a Lincoln and Tillamook County substitute teacher whose students call him “Abuelito” (Little Grandfather) was selected as OSTA’s outstanding substitute teacher for 2007. He was recognized at the Legislature on Oregon Substitute Teacher Day May 9 and at the Lincoln County School Board May 8.
Teachers, administrators, secretaries, and students all love him. Some even say the schools could not run without him. One student told him, “Mr. Ricks, if I were a magic person I would make you live forever.” How does he engender such affection? By taking the hardest jobs and sticking up for students who need extra encouragement. He even takes pies in the face on the last day of school—all for fun.
Walt Ricks started teaching in 1959 in a three teacher elementary school in California’s high Sierras, moving to Trinidad, CA the next year for 18 years, teaching a few years in each of eight grades. For twelve years, he assumed the vice principal’s duties which included Acting Principal and Superintendent when his boss had a fatal heart attack.
For 15 years, he left teaching and became a business owner of a pet shop. During that time, he served eight years on the school board. In 1994, when Walt and his wife Dixie moved to Otis, OR, he volunteered to guide a Hispanic student through the eighth grade. Since then he has been a substitute teacher in grades 8-12 and all subjects in Lincoln City and Nestucca Valley. He connects with students by volunteering on the chain gang for Taft High School football games. In extra time, he tends to chickens and building projects on their two acres.
Walt uses his experience as an administrator to save the day when other teachers are having a difficult time with students and no administrator is available. All agree that when he is in the school, learning continues and problems are quickly solved. He well deserves the honor of Oregon Substitute Teacher of the Year!
