As we head into the cold and flu season, local school districts are struggling to find substitute teachers.

The Mahoning County Career and Technical Center in Canfield was the location of a regional substitute teacher job fair on Tuesday. 

More than one-hundred people showed up to apply to be a substitute teacher at 8 different schools in the county.

School administrators say there is a substitute teacher shortage right now.

Some say it's because of low unemployment rates, others say it's because most people with college degrees are looking for full-time, consistent work.

Cheryl McArthur, from the Mahoning County Educational Service Center, says, "We want to make sure there are teachers in class rooms and students are getting educated even when there's an absence. All teachers leave lesson plans so there's always education going on."

The 8 schools covered by the Mahoning County Educational Service Center have a total of nearly a hundred call-offs each day.  The schools include: Boardman, Austintown, Campbell, Canfield, Struthers, Youngstown Community School, MCESC and the MCCTC.

Subs make about $70 per 7-hour shift. Anyone with a bachelor's degree may apply.

"For retired teachers it's a great way to work a few days each week, choose what days you want to work. And for folks who have a bachelor's degree who aren't working, it's a way to see what they think about teaching it may be a profession they'd like to get into," says McArthur.

Being a sub is a good opportunity for a recent education graduate to get their foot in the door.

Amanda Nacarato was at the job fair. She says "I'm very interested in academics. I'm a graduate assistant at YSU as well as a teaching assistant where I teach communication foundations so I'm always interested in giving back to the community and learning more myself."

Subs can also work a flexible schedule. You decide how many days a week you want to come in.  You can even choose what schools you're willing to go to.

For information on how you can apply to be a sub follow this link. 

Or check and individual school's website.