What happens if MCPS isn't staffed by the first day of school?

[Anonymous]

The teacher shortage situation is looking quite grim across the state of Maryland and specifically within MCPS. WJLA dug into this recently: https://wjla.com/news/local/education-maryland-school-districts-work-to-fill-vacant-teaching-positions-teacher-shortages-montgomery-county-public-schools-prince-georges-county-superintendent-millard-house#

According to MCPS, there are currently 289 full-time openings: 167 at the elementary level, 73 among middle schools, 48 at high schools and one at the county's Virtual Academy.

MCPS tells me 98 of those vacancies are special education positions and that the system is engaged in a variety of recruitment and marketing efforts to attract new employees.

So expect a lot of shortages at the elementary and middle school levels. Surprisingly, the high schools are not in that bad of a shape, considering how often the behavioral issues at that level make the news.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mom was a special ed teacher and saw the writing on the wall years ago. When I wanted to go into special education she said I should become a specialist like an OT or Speech because they have more options. So, I did. Very happy with my choice. I do much better working with small groups. I have much admiration for teachers, I don't think I would have been cut out to be one.

+1 I’m a school psychologist and there’s no way I would go into teaching; or recommend that other people do. I don’t blame teachers for quitting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The teacher shortage situation is looking quite grim across the state of Maryland and specifically within MCPS. WJLA dug into this recently: https://wjla.com/news/local/education-maryland-school-districts-work-to-fill-vacant-teaching-positions-teacher-shortages-montgomery-county-public-schools-prince-georges-county-superintendent-millard-house#

According to MCPS, there are currently 289 full-time openings: 167 at the elementary level, 73 among middle schools, 48 at high schools and one at the county's Virtual Academy.

MCPS tells me 98 of those vacancies are special education positions and that the system is engaged in a variety of recruitment and marketing efforts to attract new employees.

So expect a lot of shortages at the elementary and middle school levels. Surprisingly, the high schools are not in that bad of a shape, considering how often the behavioral issues at that level make the news.

In high school students can just sit and play on their phones. As much as I hate student smartphone use, it may cut down on the drama in class since the kids can just keep themselves busy on their devices. I have heard a staff member say that it lowers fights in class. Not so much during transitions or during lunch, though.

[Anonymous]

Our middle schoolers are allowed to use their phones during lunch and it has cut down on fighting then too. They are also a lot quieter and easier to deal with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The teacher shortage situation is looking quite grim across the state of Maryland and specifically within MCPS. WJLA dug into this recently: https://wjla.com/news/local/education-maryland-school-districts-work-to-fill-vacant-teaching-positions-teacher-shortages-montgomery-county-public-schools-prince-georges-county-superintendent-millard-house#

According to MCPS, there are currently 289 full-time openings: 167 at the elementary level, 73 among middle schools, 48 at high schools and one at the county's Virtual Academy.

MCPS tells me 98 of those vacancies are special education positions and that the system is engaged in a variety of recruitment and marketing efforts to attract new employees.

So expect a lot of shortages at the elementary and middle school levels. Surprisingly, the high schools are not in that bad of a shape, considering how often the behavioral issues at that level make the news.

The teacher shortage looks quite grim across the nation. Salary is only part of the change that needs to happen. As a nation we need to look at what is required of the work and how many people in schools would best serve the needs of students. We need to look at whether all teachers should be 10 month or some should be 12 month. We need to look at teacher training programs and evaluate if they are providing teachers with all the necessary skills needed for a 21st century classroom. We need to look at how parents are experiencing schools and how they are being prepared for what to expect. We need to evaluate funding sources and determine if they are keeping pace with the expectations and demands of consumers and where not explain clearly what cannot happen or what is being cut. ETc. ETC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our middle schoolers are allowed to use their phones during lunch and it has cut down on fighting then too. They are also a lot quieter and easier to deal with.

And while you think this is a good thing, there are a whole lot of parents who would say this is a)increasing the amount of screen time, and b)contributing to kids inability to socialize with kindness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our middle schoolers are allowed to use their phones during lunch and it has cut down on fighting then too. They are also a lot quieter and easier to deal with.

And while you think this is a good thing, there are a whole lot of parents who would say this is a)increasing the amount of screen time, and b)contributing to kids inability to socialize with kindness.

I never said it was a good thing but I know the people who work in the cafeteria do. There are never enough people in there and they shouldn't be in there breaking up fights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The teacher shortage situation is looking quite grim across the state of Maryland and specifically within MCPS. WJLA dug into this recently: https://wjla.com/news/local/education-maryland-school-districts-work-to-fill-vacant-teaching-positions-teacher-shortages-montgomery-county-public-schools-prince-georges-county-superintendent-millard-house#

According to MCPS, there are currently 289 full-time openings: 167 at the elementary level, 73 among middle schools, 48 at high schools and one at the county's Virtual Academy.

MCPS tells me 98 of those vacancies are special education positions and that the system is engaged in a variety of recruitment and marketing efforts to attract new employees.

So expect a lot of shortages at the elementary and middle school levels. Surprisingly, the high schools are not in that bad of a shape, considering how often the behavioral issues at that level make the news.

The teacher shortage looks quite grim across the nation. Salary is only part of the change that needs to happen. As a nation we need to look at what is required of the work and how many people in schools would best serve the needs of students. We need to look at whether all teachers should be 10 month or some should be 12 month. We need to look at teacher training programs and evaluate if they are providing teachers with all the necessary skills needed for a 21st century classroom. We need to look at how parents are experiencing schools and how they are being prepared for what to expect. We need to evaluate funding sources and determine if they are keeping pace with the expectations and demands of consumers and where not explain clearly what cannot happen or what is being cut. ETc. ETC.

Actually, the majority of the problem is parenting at home. Parents have no expectations for their kids at home-they expect schools to raise them without doing any heavy lifting themselves. That is why as a country, we are seeing huge behavioral problems in early childhood education that only getting worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The teacher shortage situation is looking quite grim across the state of Maryland and specifically within MCPS. WJLA dug into this recently: https://wjla.com/news/local/education-maryland-school-districts-work-to-fill-vacant-teaching-positions-teacher-shortages-montgomery-county-public-schools-prince-georges-county-superintendent-millard-house#

According to MCPS, there are currently 289 full-time openings: 167 at the elementary level, 73 among middle schools, 48 at high schools and one at the county's Virtual Academy.

MCPS tells me 98 of those vacancies are special education positions and that the system is engaged in a variety of recruitment and marketing efforts to attract new employees.

So expect a lot of shortages at the elementary and middle school levels. Surprisingly, the high schools are not in that bad of a shape, considering how often the behavioral issues at that level make the news.

The teacher shortage looks quite grim across the nation. Salary is only part of the change that needs to happen. As a nation we need to look at what is required of the work and how many people in schools would best serve the needs of students. We need to look at whether all teachers should be 10 month or some should be 12 month. We need to look at teacher training programs and evaluate if they are providing teachers with all the necessary skills needed for a 21st century classroom. We need to look at how parents are experiencing schools and how they are being prepared for what to expect. We need to evaluate funding sources and determine if they are keeping pace with the expectations and demands of consumers and where not explain clearly what cannot happen or what is being cut. ETc. ETC.

Actually, the majority of the problem is parenting at home. Parents have no expectations for their kids at home-they expect schools to raise them without doing any heavy lifting themselves. That is why as a country, we are seeing huge behavioral problems in early childhood education that only getting worse.

This. I taught kindergarten for close to 25 years. In previous years, MANY kids in my classes came to school already reading. Their parents took the time to teach them. In the past few years, we've gotten k-kids who are still in diapers and act feral. There has been a huge shift in parental roles and I don't know where it all got messed up, but it lead to my early resignation. Something has got to give.

[Anonymous]

This. I taught kindergarten for close to 25 years. In previous years, MANY kids in my classes came to school already reading. Their parents took the time to teach them. In the past few years, we've gotten k-kids who are still in diapers and act feral. There has been a huge shift in parental roles and I don't know where it all got messed up, but it lead to my early resignation. Something has got to give.


We had a student enroll in kindergarten last year who was still in diapers. He had turned 5 a few days before the cut off date so mom agreed to put him in pre-k. He didn't have any special needs. He threw tantrums and tried to leave the classroom all day. When mom finally had to sit in class with him, we finally saw the issue. He would only behave if she gave him her phone. We gradually weaned him off the phone and then mom being in the room. This took about 6 weeks.

I have also seen a rise in behaviors prior to the pandemic in kindergarten. Kids have had no structure or limits in the home and they react wildly when they come to school. It's exhausting to the staff and it means that other kids can't learn.

[Anonymous]

I will not be back in education bc it is a shtshow these days. I always felt my admin was trying to get me to fraud the numbers and when ever i reported crime, violence, etc they would never show up, follow up, or support. They want made up data and frown on teachers who really teach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The teacher shortage situation is looking quite grim across the state of Maryland and specifically within MCPS. WJLA dug into this recently: https://wjla.com/news/local/education-maryland-school-districts-work-to-fill-vacant-teaching-positions-teacher-shortages-montgomery-county-public-schools-prince-georges-county-superintendent-millard-house#

According to MCPS, there are currently 289 full-time openings: 167 at the elementary level, 73 among middle schools, 48 at high schools and one at the county's Virtual Academy.

MCPS tells me 98 of those vacancies are special education positions and that the system is engaged in a variety of recruitment and marketing efforts to attract new employees.

So expect a lot of shortages at the elementary and middle school levels. Surprisingly, the high schools are not in that bad of a shape, considering how often the behavioral issues at that level make the news.

The teacher shortage looks quite grim across the nation. Salary is only part of the change that needs to happen. As a nation we need to look at what is required of the work and how many people in schools would best serve the needs of students. We need to look at whether all teachers should be 10 month or some should be 12 month. We need to look at teacher training programs and evaluate if they are providing teachers with all the necessary skills needed for a 21st century classroom. We need to look at how parents are experiencing schools and how they are being prepared for what to expect. We need to evaluate funding sources and determine if they are keeping pace with the expectations and demands of consumers and where not explain clearly what cannot happen or what is being cut. ETc. ETC.

Actually, the majority of the problem is parenting at home. Parents have no expectations for their kids at home-they expect schools to raise them without doing any heavy lifting themselves. That is why as a country, we are seeing huge behavioral problems in early childhood education that only getting worse.

Oh I absolutely agree that this “Gentle Parenting” with no boundaries, and taking technology everywhere is part of the problem. Like if you can’t even take your kid to a restaurant and eat a meal without a device, what do parents think is going to happen in school. This DEFINITELY needs to be addressed. But that doesn’t change my thoughts that some serious re-imaging of education and community is needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The teacher shortage situation is looking quite grim across the state of Maryland and specifically within MCPS. WJLA dug into this recently: https://wjla.com/news/local/education-maryland-school-districts-work-to-fill-vacant-teaching-positions-teacher-shortages-montgomery-county-public-schools-prince-georges-county-superintendent-millard-house#

According to MCPS, there are currently 289 full-time openings: 167 at the elementary level, 73 among middle schools, 48 at high schools and one at the county's Virtual Academy.

MCPS tells me 98 of those vacancies are special education positions and that the system is engaged in a variety of recruitment and marketing efforts to attract new employees.

So expect a lot of shortages at the elementary and middle school levels. Surprisingly, the high schools are not in that bad of a shape, considering how often the behavioral issues at that level make the news.

So, just like last year, many special ed positions will be filled with non-qualified long term subs, which Monifa McKnight will count towards her 99% filled positions, and the special ed students fall farther and farther behind 😡

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our middle schoolers are allowed to use their phones during lunch and it has cut down on fighting then too. They are also a lot quieter and easier to deal with.

Because they’re essentially sedated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our middle schoolers are allowed to use their phones during lunch and it has cut down on fighting then too. They are also a lot quieter and easier to deal with.

Because they’re essentially sedated.

That’s the only way people would agree to work with them. Would you want to break up fights for minimum wage?