PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For some passing by her in the halls, Annie Gadson is a regular substitute teacher. To her students, she’s known affectionately as “grandma.” And now, she’s recognized as the best sub in the region.
The normally unflappable Gadson was floored on Tuesday at a surprise assembly at West Philly’s Paul Robeson High School, where she was honored as the most outstanding substitute teacher in the region.
Gadson is a building sub at Robeson, covering different classes and filling in when teachers aren’t available. She was a district teacher for 40 years and returned as a sub two years ago.
“I am in total shock,” said the 75-year-old. “I have never in my life received any type of award like this, so it’s very gratifying.”
The 2024 Impact Award is given by ESS, the staffing firm that manages substitute teachers. Joe Birmingham, vice president of Philadelphia operations for ESS, also presented Gadson with a prize: a check for $1,000.
“Her flexibility and willingness to accept any challenge, any assignment — it just set her above any of the other great nominees that we had,” he said.
Filling substitute teacher jobs has been a challenge. Overall, ESS expects to fill 142,000 Philadelphia sub jobs this year — on pace to fill more than half of the total jobs available.