How to make it a smoother transition when classroom teacher goes on maternity leave

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To PP's point, do the W cluster ES get preferential treatment for long-term subs? We are in the DCC and our long-term sub was not great, and not replaced. Sounds like the W school ES's are able to replace a long-term sub with another.

I doubt there is preferential treatment for subs. At our ES, we have some subs who choose only to work at 1-2 schools rather than the entire school system. Maybe someone who lives in Bethesda doesn't want to commute to Damascus. Or vice versa. The subs do get to have input on where they want to work.

It's pretty common for schools to build relationships with good subs. I know a few that are always working at my school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP may have a point. The last two subs for maternity leave at our school were straight from college with no teaching experience at all, much less at the school itself.

Getting teaching experience is a part of their college degree. So no, you don't ever get someone in a classroom who has never previously been in a classroom. Ridiiiiiculous.

All college degrees require teaching experience? Where are you from? You are off here.

Anyone can sub in public school, not just those with teaching degrees. Someone with a Geology degree can sub in public school. No classroom experience required to be a sub. Think before you type.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am brainstorming about how we can make the transition more smooth when a classroom teacher goes on maternity leave. (This question is primarily for elementary school parents, since the kids in middle and high school have a variety of teachers throughout the school day.)

We are very pleased with our elementary (in the BCC cluster) -- teachers and administration alike. Over the years, many of the teachers for my kids have gone out on maternity leave for 3 months at a time. (This is wonderful news for the teacher and we are always happy about the arrival of a new baby!) Usually, the substitute has been pretty good. However, I'm concerned that there is not more time for the substitute to overlap with the pregnant teacher before she goes out on maternity leave.

According to my friends with kids in private school, those schools make it possible for the substitute to spend about 1 month with the pregnant teacher in the classroom before the maternity leave begins. This ensures a smooth transition. (Of course it requires paying an extra month of salary to the substitute.)

I understand that this may not be feasible in MoCo because it would be very costly. And I understand that PTA funds or parent contributions are not allowed to be used for personnel (which is unfortunate because a pool could be created that would benefit all schools, allowing assistants to be hired.)

But is there a way to possible have more than 1 day of overlap before a substitute takes over an entire class of 25 kids? I think anyone would agree 1 day is not ideal. Does the rule prohibiting the use of parent funds for personnel apply to a temp substitute?

Or could some parents volunteer in the classroom more for the first month that the sub is in place?

Good point OP.

Teacher Absence as a Leading Indicator of Student Achievement

https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/education/reports/2012/11/05/40371/teacher-absence-as-a-leading-indicator-of-student-achievement/

[Anonymous]

All of you slamming the OP are off-base, but so are you OP. You are overly focused on the transition-- that's not even on my radar. What you NEED to worry about and find out from the school is "Is this substitute currently a certified teacher (in any state)?" This matters more than you can imagine. Google it. In fact, it's so important to student achievement that Title 1 schools are NOT allowed to have anyone in front of their children who isn't certified (or conditionally certified) to be a long-term sub. They are allowed a grace period until they find someone but they have to write a letter informing parents (that's your cue to object if you choose to, and yes, your child can be moved to another class) because your child is entitled to have a REAL teacher teaching her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP may have a point. The last two subs for maternity leave at our school were straight from college with no teaching experience at all, much less at the school itself.

Getting teaching experience is a part of their college degree. So no, you don't ever get someone in a classroom who has never previously been in a classroom. Ridiiiiiculous.

All college degrees require teaching experience? Where are you from? You are off here.

Anyone can sub in public school, not just those with teaching degrees. Someone with a Geology degree can sub in public school. No classroom experience required to be a sub. Think before you type.

Long term subs must me highly qualified in their subject area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP may have a point. The last two subs for maternity leave at our school were straight from college with no teaching experience at all, much less at the school itself.

Getting teaching experience is a part of their college degree. So no, you don't ever get someone in a classroom who has never previously been in a classroom. Ridiiiiiculous.

All college degrees require teaching experience? Where are you from? You are off here.

Anyone can sub in public school, not just those with teaching degrees. Someone with a Geology degree can sub in public school. No classroom experience required to be a sub. Think before you type.

Long term subs must me highly qualified in their subject area.

Not true. My child had a long term sub in fifth grade compacted math and the teacher had no experience as a math teacher, much less accelerated math.