FCPS can't find substitutes?? I call BS.

[Anonymous]

School just sent home a letter saying that they can't find an "acceptable" long term substitute for a teacher going out on maternity leave, so the other three classes will absorb her students for the rest of the year.

Seems like a business decision to me, since there's only 3 months left of school. It stretches the limits of credibility that they can't find someone when they've presumably known she's going to go out on leave for months.

This principal is known to put the spin on things, so I am doubtful. We've been assured no class sizes will be exceeded. But this also means the class could have close to (or exactly) thirty kids in it for the rest of the year, not to mention the disruption it will cause.

Any one else have this happen? What was the reason given?

[Anonymous]

I kind of almost wish this were happening in my son's class. I am not super psyched about the long term sub on board for the teacher's maternity leave. I know and like the other classroom teachers...

[Anonymous]

This happened when the significantly reduced former teacher’s subbing $$. It used to be that a retired teacher could sub at a higher rate. They are the main arenas Principals seek when looking for a long term sub. The money isn’t enough anymore.

[Anonymous]

It's always difficult to find long term subs, even harder this time of the year.

[Anonymous]

FCPS principal here. This is a real problem across the entire county. I'm trying to find good long term sub as well and am struggling. You can do all the legwork to get someone, and then they cancel at the last minute. Or you're just not comfortable with the candidates available in their ability to maintain high quality instruction.

[Anonymous]

It is absolutely true and you don't know what you're talking about, OP.

[Anonymous]

We are in mcps and the long term sub our school got was really bad. This might actually be the best option, op.

[Anonymous]

OP, what reason would the principal have to lie about this? Do you honestly think administrator takes pleasure in telling his/her teachers that their class size is increasing? Or sending that letter to parents? Come on. There's no way a principal would do this unless it was absolutely the last option available.

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking the classes must be borderline enrollment

[Anonymous]

Forget finding long-term subs - they can't always find teachers! I posted here about this earlier in the school year. My DD (5th) did not have a teacher at the start of the year. They finally got someone in Dec who had just finished student teaching in Deleware. And don't say it's a cost of living issue. My friends in lower COL areas have shared similar stories with me. I don't think many people are going into teaching lately.

[Anonymous]

There are no binders full of women (or men) who are qualified, interested, and available for a position like that.

The good subs have jobs already, or have other things in their life going on such that being underpaid for full time responsibility is just not appealing.

The only way I would take that job was if I knew the teacher was nevertheless coming back and I could transition into a full time job at a desireable school come fall.

[Anonymous]

The sub pay is very low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The sub pay is very low.

How much?

[Anonymous]

$10 per hour

[Anonymous]

There is a lot of turnover among subs. They are treated with so much disrespect by both teachers and students. They are given little or no training and expected to do exactly what the room teacher does. The kids know you are not coming back. They try to get away with as much as they can.