Dear K-12 Community and Partners,

I am thrilled to announce that Jamie West has joined Red Rover as our Executive Director of the Substitute Management Advisory Council. This appointment represents a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing the critical field of substitute management in K-12 education.

Red Rover is proud to support the Advisory Council’s mission of guiding the development of the Substitute Management profession to support K-12 student academics and growth. Jamie’s leadership will be instrumental in elevating this essential work that directly impacts classroom continuity and student success across our nation’s schools.

Under Jamie’s direction, the Substitute Management Advisory Council will focus on three key strategic goals:

1. Serving as the voice and thought leaders for Substitute Managers nationwide – We will champion the profession, advocate for best practices, and ensure substitute managers have the resources and recognition they deserve.
2. Shaping the annual Substitute Management Symposium – This premier event will bring together professionals from across the country to share insights, network, and advance the field through collaborative learning and innovation.
3. Selecting the Substitute Manager of the Year – We will celebrate excellence in the profession by recognizing outstanding individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and impact in their communities.

Jamie brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing substitute managers today. Her vision and expertise will help us build a stronger, more connected professional community that ultimately benefits the students and educators we serve.

We look forward to the positive impact Jamie will have in this role and invite you to join us in supporting the vital work of the Substitute Management Advisory Council.

Warm regards,
Daniel O’Shaughnessey
Co-founder and CEO
Red Rover

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From Jamie West
Executive Director, Substitute Management Advisory Council

When I was asked to be a small part of a big plan in 2023, I gladly accepted. Becoming a founding member of the Substitute Management Advisory Council felt like the start of something much bigger than any one person—it felt like the beginning of a movement.
In 2025, I stepped into the role of Executive Director—an honor beyond what I imagined when this journey first began. Through my years in K–12 education, the substitute profession has always been close to my heart. Substitutes are not “just substitutes.” They are guest educators, role models, and vital members of every school community. And substitute managers? They are the heartbeat of daily operations—customer service reps, welcoming committees, and the do-it-all heroes behind the scenes.
As Executive Director, my mission is simple:

• To elevate the voices of substitutes and substitute managers.
• To uphold and expand our five pillars of substitute management success.
• To stay one step ahead in the innovations that support this critical work.

Where there are gaps, I plan to help fill them. Where there are whispers, I want to amplify them. Together, as a council, we are committed to shifting the narrative and shining a light on the everyday heroes in our schools.

Kindly,
Jamie West