Bit of a rant:Concern about new pool of MCPS subs (from a teacher)

[Anonymous]

Beyond subs, MCPS is having problems filling other school positions such as School Psychologists. They underpay these positions as well, and don't require a Ph.D where you need one to be a practicing psychologist in private practice, and they keep the position as part time so there's no benefits. It can't be a complete surprise that psychologists who have high expertise aren't applying for these MCPS jobs. Nothing spells that you are not a valued employee as NO BENEFITS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's the alternative? There aren't enough people willing to be subs. Raising sub pay? I am asking sincerely.

+1 I don't know what the answer is, but there is a shortage of teachers and subs. The only way to get more qualified people as subs is to raise the pay pretty significantly, because when I looked at the sub pay rate, it was terrible. But where would the money come from? No one wants their taxes raised.

Everyone wants low taxes and quality teachers. Those two don't go together.

Please. The County finds money for all sorts of pet projects when it wants to. 40 million in tax breaks for Marriott to "relocate" a few minutes down the road. This is about priorities. In Singapore, teachers are paid like professionals, and they get professional teachers and have among the highest test scores globally.

+1

And, MCPS has lots of useless pet projects of its own. Get rid of all of the USELESS initiatives and put the money back towards people who are actually IN the classroom. There is enough money. Quit giving out stupid free shit. Quit holding useless forums. Quit doing studies to see how much it would cost to convert the restrooms to mixed gender restrooms.

Definitely about priorities. And, MCPS' priorities are completely and totally out of whack.

[Anonymous]

The only people I know who sub are SAH parents, who see the job as extra pocket change while their kids are at school. Those people like to get to know the admin and teachers, like to know what is going on in school for real, and don't let discipline get out of hand.

[Anonymous]

I agree mcps needs to focus on teachers. Every year, there's some numbers assigned, and schools have to cut positions. 2 months later, when the numbers are back up, the teachers are assigned back. Meanwhile, the teacher who is familiar with the school, the students, the system at the school, Etc has already left to go to other schools. The teachers are treated like widgets, not the professionals they are. They get moved around here there and everywhere, sometimes PT at 2-3 places. mcps treats its greatest asset, teachers, like crap. That needs to change.

[Anonymous]

I have an idea: can MCPS start banning teachers from taking the day off right before or after a holiday? This was the policy when I taught for a private school for much less money. I fully support treating teachers like the valued professionals they are, but we can't expect students to be in school before and after holidays if we don't hold teachers responsible for being there. Of course, a doctor's note is a valid reason to be out on these popular days. Perhaps an exception can also be made for faculty who come from abroad and have their only opportunity for a home visit.

[Anonymous]

I am interested in subbing (and highly qualified), but would only be available on Fridays, due to other commitments Mon-Thursday. Should I apply?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an idea: can MCPS start banning teachers from taking the day off right before or after a holiday? This was the policy when I taught for a private school for much less money. I fully support treating teachers like the valued professionals they are, but we can't expect students to be in school before and after holidays if we don't hold teachers responsible for being there. Of course, a doctor's note is a valid reason to be out on these popular days. Perhaps an exception can also be made for faculty who come from abroad and have their only opportunity for a home visit.

We already have this policy for a while. The problem is sick days. Personally, when I am not feeling well I will push myself, but by Friday I just can't take it anymore. Also, I (or my kid) tend to get sick on the weekends, and often need to take Monday off.

[Anonymous]

Well, if MCPS schools would stop saying they.have a large pool.of qualified people in their sub pool more qualified people would apply. I just saw the ad on Indeed and decided not to apply based on their wording, even though I have a master's degree; why apply when they say the pool is so full in the ad? Why waste my time?

[Anonymous]

It’s one of the multiple consequences of bad overcrowding in MCPS.

Unless the State and County are willing to acknowledge that population growth is straining the system, funds will never be released to adequately solve the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you raise the pay of subs you will get more qualified people wanting to be subs. From what I've heard, the pay rate hasn't improved in over 10 years. Of course you need tap people without a BA, because people with a college degree need and deserve higher pay.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an idea: can MCPS start banning teachers from taking the day off right before or after a holiday? This was the policy when I taught for a private school for much less money. I fully support treating teachers like the valued professionals they are, but we can't expect students to be in school before and after holidays if we don't hold teachers responsible for being there. Of course, a doctor's note is a valid reason to be out on these popular days. Perhaps an exception can also be made for faculty who come from abroad and have their only opportunity for a home visit.

We have sick days and I will use them whenever I want. Talk about not treating teachers like professionals! I bet nobody tells my friends working office jobs that they can't take Fridays off. Admins get paid the big bucks and one of the reasons is that they have to figure out coverage. Not my problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an idea: can MCPS start banning teachers from taking the day off right before or after a holiday? This was the policy when I taught for a private school for much less money. I fully support treating teachers like the valued professionals they are, but we can't expect students to be in school before and after holidays if we don't hold teachers responsible for being there. Of course, a doctor's note is a valid reason to be out on these popular days. Perhaps an exception can also be made for faculty who come from abroad and have their only opportunity for a home visit.

There is already a hold on personal days at those times, but they can’t ban short term sick leave of 4 days or less (which does not require a note). Same during May testing and the last two weeks of school (exceptions for graduations). Student absenteeism on those days is high for the same official reason of illness. Students don’t come right before Thanksgiving and Winter Break because of the expense of flights. Teachers have the same financial considerations as other families.

Instead of punishing teachers who can’t afford to tack a few hundred extra on for a Wednesday flight, this is where an incentive for subs would make sense.

I’ve seen some solutions that just seem designed by people who think teachers should suck it up. I taught at a school where the PTSA offered high value gift cards to staff who had no absences. Not surprisingly, the gift cards went to people who had the least direct student contact because they seldom caught the kid germs and if they did get sick, they could drag themselves in, close their office door, and coddle themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am interested in subbing (and highly qualified), but would only be available on Fridays, due to other commitments Mon-Thursday. Should I apply?

Yes!

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ersc/employees/temps-subs/

I think you can be approved in time for school to start.

Thank you!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am interested in subbing (and highly qualified), but would only be available on Fridays, due to other commitments Mon-Thursday. Should I apply?

There will definitely be job openings on Friday, I can tell you that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our MCPS school can't even find qualified TEACHERS for foreign language and math, let alone substitutes (in one case a long term sub spoke/taught Portuguese, NOT Spanish!). I am horrified as well, because the babysitting, instead of teaching, will become worse.

That is unacceptable!

The working conditions and pay will continue to push out many highly qualified teachers and steer most young people away. I’m mid-career and wouldn’t want my children to become public school teachers. I love the work I do, but the closer I get to retirement, the more I realize I screwed my self leaving my corporate job.

I don't disagree that finding good subs is a challenge, but in general, teaching is a great job where else can you make 6 figures for working 180 days or less and get an additional benefit equivalent to 50k in annual retirement savings.