Constant teacher absences

[Anonymous]

Unless the teacher is negligent, which doesn’t seem to be the case, the real problem is with the system’s struggle to hire and retain quality substitutes. Sometimes difficult things happen in teachers’ lives, and we shouldn’t dump on them because their class isn’t covered adequately. Put the blame where it belongs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of those teachers are going to be absent forever soon enough. They are burned out and fed up. Teachers are quitting. The stuff that parents are doing to teachers is the final straw.

Seriously. How entitled can one be? Attempting to dictate the manner of childcare a teacher uses? You have to be kidding me. You suck, OP.

[Anonymous]

This is all about one teacher’s absences since returning just two months ago?

Seems like a mountain out of a molehill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean “their teacher going on mat leave”

I know!! Couldn't she just drop the kid and keep teaching? And then she might have appointments. Why is she allowed to do that? I mean, is there a union or something?

Do you not know how to read? She was on mat leave for 4 months and just got back in Jan and ever since she has been back she is constantly absent at least two days every week. She was actually absent for one entire week in late Jan. She is allowed to do whatever she needs for her child and my child is also allowed to get a proper education form a teacher who takes her job responsibilities seriously.

You are a POS.

Yes let’s keep bending over backwards for teachers. Meanwhile poor nurses, doctors, physical therapists, grocery store workers are expected to show up to work on a consistent basis and arrange for childcare. But no teachers get a free pass. Never mind they are in charge of educating our kids. Gosh the animosity against anyone who dare say anything negative about teachers.

So doctors, grocery workers , nurses, and physical therapists don’t take sick days? News flash-they do. You don’t see them every day so you wouldn’t now. Moron.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gosh I’m so sorry I expected the teacher to have reliable childcare when she came back to work. You know how every other professional does when they have to go back to work? Yes we have been in this pandemic for the last two years!! Of course there will be closures and kids getting sick. So have all of us not planned for this so we are not constantly running around last minute when we have to show up to work? Like I said most of the teachers have little kids too but I don’t see them being absent so frequently. Those teachers take their job seriously

Taking a few hours off or a day off for an appointment or child’s sickness is completely different than literally not showing up 2-3 days every single week! Please stop being so defensive. And FYI other professionals get fired or get a warning if they are sporadically and frequently absent.

How do you even know childcare is the issue? Maybe it’s for medical reasons. And how do you know that she hasn’t received a warning. I have worked in an office for 25 years for a variety of companies. Even in those settings, it’s very hard to fire someone - especially if they are sick or caring for a sick family memever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean “their teacher going on mat leave”

I know!! Couldn't she just drop the kid and keep teaching? And then she might have appointments. Why is she allowed to do that? I mean, is there a union or something?

Do you not know how to read? She was on mat leave for 4 months and just got back in Jan and ever since she has been back she is constantly absent at least two days every week. She was actually absent for one entire week in late Jan. She is allowed to do whatever she needs for her child and my child is also allowed to get a proper education form a teacher who takes her job responsibilities seriously.

So volunteer to watch the teachers kid!

I have a full time job where I am expected to show up everyday and where I am expected to arrange for childcare so my work doesn’t suffer.

And you are entitled to take leave, as is this teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

+1 OP threw this post up assuming she’d get sympathy and cannot for a second fathom they are the ones in the wrong here.

Definitely didn’t come here looking for sympathy. Was just wondering if that’s the norm because none of my other kids have had that experience with any of their teachers and I’ve always loved all their teachers. Seems like this is definitely not the norm but DCUM teachers get very upset if they are questioned about the quality of education they are providing. Some sort of guilty conscience I guess. Oh well, I don’t wish to add anything else to this topic.

How could this be the norm, if you’ve never encountered it before? OMG

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just a note to you, OP…the person in the fall was not “the student teacher.” A student teacher has to be supervised by the classroom teacher at all times. Perhaps this person was a college student working on their degree and student teaching in the spring, but if they were truly “the student teacher” then they were breaking some serious rules.

Teacher here. I was used as a sub a lot when I student taught and I imagine student teachers are subbing left and right these days. Literally, they need someone with a pulse in the room and there is nobody else. I don't see how any of this is OP's business. I have been out four times in the last month. Two sick days and two days on some lame training PD. None of it is anyone's business but mine and my principal's. Maybe you could go in a sub and see why there are no subs. Report back to us how it went.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just a note to you, OP…the person in the fall was not “the student teacher.” A student teacher has to be supervised by the classroom teacher at all times. Perhaps this person was a college student working on their degree and student teaching in the spring, but if they were truly “the student teacher” then they were breaking some serious rules.

Teacher here. I was used as a sub a lot when I student taught and I imagine student teachers are subbing left and right these days. Literally, they need someone with a pulse in the room and there is nobody else. I don't see how any of this is OP's business. I have been out four times in the last month. Two sick days and two days on some lame training PD. None of it is anyone's business but mine and my principal's. Maybe you could go in a sub and see why there are no subs. Report back to us how it went.

I also subbed with getting my license, for more experience - but yes, students teachers are receiving college credits and need to be supervised and mentored.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean “their teacher going on mat leave”

I know!! Couldn't she just drop the kid and keep teaching? And then she might have appointments. Why is she allowed to do that? I mean, is there a union or something?

Do you not know how to read? She was on mat leave for 4 months and just got back in Jan and ever since she has been back she is constantly absent at least two days every week. She was actually absent for one entire week in late Jan. She is allowed to do whatever she needs for her child and my child is also allowed to get a proper education form a teacher who takes her job responsibilities seriously.

So volunteer to watch the teachers kid!

Maybe OP's nanny can watch the teacher's kid!

[Anonymous]

My kid is in a private school and has tons of random subs this year. A few times, they had cafeteria workers filling in. I'm not sure how being in a private school would improve this situation.

[Anonymous]

I suffered from postpartum psychosis after my son was born. I would've been the teacher OP complained about. Back then, they managed to find me a semi-decent sub after a lot of shuffling of my class around. I highly doubt they'd find anyone now. Life happens OP. It can't always be prepared for.

[Anonymous]

I’m fascinated by how the OP thinks that the teacher should choose everyone else’s needs over the needs of her own newborn child. The teacher isn’t a slave. She’s allowed to take care of her own children and use the leave that she has earned. Stop being so freaking selfish, OP.

[Anonymous]

OP - your child is YOUR CHILD. This teacher doesn’t care more than she has to, which is not a lot.

If you want him to get an education, the best thing you can do is to homeschool or go private. If you really cannot afford either, sign up for afterschool writing and math classes.

Stop blaming others and go out and BUY your child what he needs. This teacher is not going to change and FCPS is not going to change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless the teacher is negligent, which doesn’t seem to be the case, the real problem is with the system’s struggle to hire and retain quality substitutes. Sometimes difficult things happen in teachers’ lives, and we shouldn’t dump on them because their class isn’t covered adequately. Put the blame where it belongs.

+1. When was the last time a parent went to a school board meeting and advocated for higher sub pay and asked what they're doing to attract and retain quality subs? Or heck, even emailed their local school board member? It was crickets from the OpenFCPS parents when they announced the lame " pay raise" that was supposed to solve the problem. I bet none of the people complaining have ever spoken up and probably wouldn't be willing to.