How to avoid letting teacher maternity leave disrupt the learning environment

[Anonymous]

Long term sub quality can definitely vary. Many times the teacher tries to recruit a sub from the past or one that is trusted by the school.
If you know of anyone qualified that would be willing to apply...... that is the only thing I can think of that you can do. Other than that, there is not much you can do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So here's the real question: how much do you trust your principal, OP?

Not much in this situation, based on our previous experience.

[Anonymous]

Get teachers 40 and older

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I posted a similar query last fall, when my child's K teacher went on maternity leave on the first day of school. (She was supposed to leave a few weeks in but went on bedrest unexpectedly.) I was really annoyed, to be quite honest; not that a teacher was having a baby, but that my child's first experience in "real" school was going to be disjointed and possibly disorganized. I also tended to doubt the teacher would come back after maternity leave.

I got bashed, as you are beginning to do, and I don't think that was entirely fair - it's reasonable to want your child to have consistent teaching. But here's the thing: I was totally one hundred percent wrong. The long-term sub who came to my child's classroom on day 2 was fantastic, and the original teacher returned after 3 short months and was equally wonderful (or better, I can't really compare.) My child had a perfect year in kindergarten.

So all this is to say that I understand your anxiety but it doesn't have to work out badly.

You were worried about this in kindergarten? You deserved all the bashing you got, and then some. Good lord.

[Anonymous]

I think you are right to worry. One of my middle school son's teachers went out on maternity leave, and the sub just let them play youtube videos all period.

Subs can definitely suck. Luckily for him it was only one period and it was a study skills class. Still a waste of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I posted a similar query last fall, when my child's K teacher went on maternity leave on the first day of school. (She was supposed to leave a few weeks in but went on bedrest unexpectedly.) I was really annoyed, to be quite honest; not that a teacher was having a baby, but that my child's first experience in "real" school was going to be disjointed and possibly disorganized. I also tended to doubt the teacher would come back after maternity leave.

I got bashed, as you are beginning to do, and I don't think that was entirely fair - it's reasonable to want your child to have consistent teaching. But here's the thing: I was totally one hundred percent wrong. The long-term sub who came to my child's classroom on day 2 was fantastic, and the original teacher returned after 3 short months and was equally wonderful (or better, I can't really compare.) My child had a perfect year in kindergarten.

So all this is to say that I understand your anxiety but it doesn't have to work out badly.

You were worried about this in kindergarten? You deserved all the bashing you got, and then some. Good lord.

I'm the PP you quoted; you misunderstand me, I think - I wasn't worried about my snowflake not learning to do advanced geometry in kindergarten. I was worried because my child had some fairly significant issues in preK and I had zero confidence that she would be able to manage K without total disaster. I have older kids, and I know that a bad start in school can kind of ripple through the years that actually matter (disengaged and badly behaved in K becomes late to acquire basic classroom skills and behind in core capabilities of reading and math in grades 2 and upward.... ). So it seemed like a huge concern that her teacher left on day 1! But as I said, I was wrong, the LT sub was outstanding, the main teacher was a gem, they had different styles but they are both incredibly talented teachers and really wonderful people. I am grateful and glad, and I don't think I deserve more sh*t for having admitted my assumptions were wrong.

OP, we're in the burbs, otherwise I'd try to pass along the name of our LT sub. She is in huge demand at my kids' school. I understand why now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get teachers 40 and older

So, this is what I love. We usually don't like older teachers, right? On this board they are written off as stuck in their ways, waiting for a pension, and uninspired. Male teachers- well, those folks make us nervous. Only ladies should like work with kids. The TFA teacher seems to be the holy grail of education. Until- they want to have kids. Ugh! What is a family to do? Who is allowed into this profession?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get teachers 40 and older

So, this is what I love. We usually don't like older teachers, right? On this board they are written off as stuck in their ways, waiting for a pension, and uninspired. Male teachers- well, those folks make us nervous. Only ladies should like work with kids. The TFA teacher seems to be the holy grail of education. Until- they want to have kids. Ugh! What is a family to do? Who is allowed into this profession?

This. Say it again.

As a teacher, who has one child, I find this to be one of the craziest threads I have ever read on DCUM. While I know, that having a teacher on maternity leave will often disrupt the learning environment, all admin teams desire to find a good sub to take her place (or his if he takes his paternity leave, which a male teacher is also allowed to do).

[Anonymous]

Talk to the principal about a consistent and experienced sub. We have a teacher who has taken more than 20 "sick" days this year and once, five were in a row. School was not prepared and one day there was no sub it was just the teaching assistant and the others it was the counselor, the music teacher, etc. kids deserve better than that. Our teacher was not asked back for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get teachers 40 and older

40 in DC seems to be prime pregnancy age

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talk to the principal about a consistent and experienced sub. We have a teacher who has taken more than 20 "sick" days this year and once, five were in a row. School was not prepared and one day there was no sub it was just the teaching assistant and the others it was the counselor, the music teacher, etc. kids deserve better than that. Our teacher was not asked back for next year.

20 sick days? One being an entire week? Sounds like there could be a serious medical condition you know nothing about?

How do you know this teaCher wasn't asked back (as opposed to I dunno taking time off for serious medical reasons)? Surely the principal didn't share personnel issues did he? Even the Chancellor wouldn't do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talk to the principal about a consistent and experienced sub. We have a teacher who has taken more than 20 "sick" days this year and once, five were in a row. School was not prepared and one day there was no sub it was just the teaching assistant and the others it was the counselor, the music teacher, etc. kids deserve better than that. Our teacher was not asked back for next year.

Wow. That'll teach that teacher to have a chronic health condition!
Honestly- this is why one parent needs to SAH. You all have confused school with daycare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get teachers 40 and older

40 in DC seems to be prime pregnancy age

Not for teachers. We're not talking ambitious ladder climbers when talking a woman who's in the class room straight out of college till age 40.

This is a great idea actually. You get someone with more experience AND her maternity leave days are behind her. Brilliant PP!

[Anonymous]

God you guys are such bitches

[Anonymous]

Plan your pregnancy where you will deliver around the summer, done.