How is FCPS teacher/staff shortage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A teacher who picks up an additional class to teach will also get a significant salary increase. Some will want to do it, especially if the teacher is near retirement. (Retirement pay is based on the average of the last few years of teaching.)

No, retirement is based on the three highest years, which is why some teachers leave teaching and become an IA for a year or two. It is less responsibility, but their retirement is not affected.

Do IAs have VRS benefits? I need to teach a few more years and it’s getting so hard. My salary doesn’t significantly increase anymore and DH makes the primary salary. This sounds like a great idea and something for me to look into. I would rather take a pay cut with less responsibility than pick up an extra class in my final teaching years.

It is my impression there is a different retirement plan/options for IAs.

It's the same. The IA salary is so bad and burnout is so high that most don't pay much attention to the VRS benefits. I doubt most IAs nowadays stay at the job long enough for it to be a good incentive. This is obviously different for teachers who switch to IA positions in their final years.

In previous years, I'd say switching to an IA role in the final years would be a fun way to wind down. Now? Not so sure. I would talk to a couple IAs at your specific school before you decide to do this. Our school has four leaving this year, even though they're taking reduced benefits to do so.

Why is IA burnout a thing? IAs don’t have to do conferences or any planning or grading. Please explain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A teacher who picks up an additional class to teach will also get a significant salary increase. Some will want to do it, especially if the teacher is near retirement. (Retirement pay is based on the average of the last few years of teaching.)

No, retirement is based on the three highest years, which is why some teachers leave teaching and become an IA for a year or two. It is less responsibility, but their retirement is not affected.

Do IAs have VRS benefits? I need to teach a few more years and it’s getting so hard. My salary doesn’t significantly increase anymore and DH makes the primary salary. This sounds like a great idea and something for me to look into. I would rather take a pay cut with less responsibility than pick up an extra class in my final teaching years.

It is my impression there is a different retirement plan/options for IAs.

It's the same. The IA salary is so bad and burnout is so high that most don't pay much attention to the VRS benefits. I doubt most IAs nowadays stay at the job long enough for it to be a good incentive. This is obviously different for teachers who switch to IA positions in their final years.

In previous years, I'd say switching to an IA role in the final years would be a fun way to wind down. Now? Not so sure. I would talk to a couple IAs at your specific school before you decide to do this. Our school has four leaving this year, even though they're taking reduced benefits to do so.

Can a teacher retire, draw VRS and ERFC benefits, take a break from the system and return to work as an IA while still drawing benefits?

I’d have to look it up, but I’m pretty sure the answer is no. More to the point, though, if you did that and if you were allowed to return at the top of the IA pay scale, you’d be making $44k pre tax and that number wouldn’t increase because you’re at the top.

Right. That's why I was thinking it might not be a bad idea if doable if I could draw my retirement and work as an IA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A teacher who picks up an additional class to teach will also get a significant salary increase. Some will want to do it, especially if the teacher is near retirement. (Retirement pay is based on the average of the last few years of teaching.)

No, retirement is based on the three highest years, which is why some teachers leave teaching and become an IA for a year or two. It is less responsibility, but their retirement is not affected.

Do IAs have VRS benefits? I need to teach a few more years and it’s getting so hard. My salary doesn’t significantly increase anymore and DH makes the primary salary. This sounds like a great idea and something for me to look into. I would rather take a pay cut with less responsibility than pick up an extra class in my final teaching years.

It is my impression there is a different retirement plan/options for IAs.

It's the same. The IA salary is so bad and burnout is so high that most don't pay much attention to the VRS benefits. I doubt most IAs nowadays stay at the job long enough for it to be a good incentive. This is obviously different for teachers who switch to IA positions in their final years.

In previous years, I'd say switching to an IA role in the final years would be a fun way to wind down. Now? Not so sure. I would talk to a couple IAs at your specific school before you decide to do this. Our school has four leaving this year, even though they're taking reduced benefits to do so.

Why is IA burnout a thing? IAs don’t have to do conferences or any planning or grading. Please explain.

Because, this year specifically, they are used to fill in the gaps, in addition to their regular responsibilities: subbing, additional duty assignments, etc. in my school, they are sometimes the ones sitting with the kids who are behavioral issues. They also don’t get a break all day long, besides for the 20-30 lunch.

[Anonymous]

Our IAs are basically floating subs. That's fine if that is what you signed up for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A teacher who picks up an additional class to teach will also get a significant salary increase. Some will want to do it, especially if the teacher is near retirement. (Retirement pay is based on the average of the last few years of teaching.)

No, retirement is based on the three highest years, which is why some teachers leave teaching and become an IA for a year or two. It is less responsibility, but their retirement is not affected.

Do IAs have VRS benefits? I need to teach a few more years and it’s getting so hard. My salary doesn’t significantly increase anymore and DH makes the primary salary. This sounds like a great idea and something for me to look into. I would rather take a pay cut with less responsibility than pick up an extra class in my final teaching years.

It is my impression there is a different retirement plan/options for IAs.

It's the same. The IA salary is so bad and burnout is so high that most don't pay much attention to the VRS benefits. I doubt most IAs nowadays stay at the job long enough for it to be a good incentive. This is obviously different for teachers who switch to IA positions in their final years.

In previous years, I'd say switching to an IA role in the final years would be a fun way to wind down. Now? Not so sure. I would talk to a couple IAs at your specific school before you decide to do this. Our school has four leaving this year, even though they're taking reduced benefits to do so.

Why is IA burnout a thing? IAs don’t have to do conferences or any planning or grading. Please explain.

Because you're pulled in a million directions and the work is hard as hell, especially if you are in a self contained classroom. Even if you aren't in a self contained classroom, you'll get put into one if the regular teacher or IA is out sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A teacher who picks up an additional class to teach will also get a significant salary increase. Some will want to do it, especially if the teacher is near retirement. (Retirement pay is based on the average of the last few years of teaching.)

No, retirement is based on the three highest years, which is why some teachers leave teaching and become an IA for a year or two. It is less responsibility, but their retirement is not affected.

Do IAs have VRS benefits? I need to teach a few more years and it’s getting so hard. My salary doesn’t significantly increase anymore and DH makes the primary salary. This sounds like a great idea and something for me to look into. I would rather take a pay cut with less responsibility than pick up an extra class in my final teaching years.

It is my impression there is a different retirement plan/options for IAs.

It's the same. The IA salary is so bad and burnout is so high that most don't pay much attention to the VRS benefits. I doubt most IAs nowadays stay at the job long enough for it to be a good incentive. This is obviously different for teachers who switch to IA positions in their final years.

In previous years, I'd say switching to an IA role in the final years would be a fun way to wind down. Now? Not so sure. I would talk to a couple IAs at your specific school before you decide to do this. Our school has four leaving this year, even though they're taking reduced benefits to do so.

Why is IA burnout a thing? IAs don’t have to do conferences or any planning or grading. Please explain.

Because you're pulled in a million directions and the work is hard as hell, especially if you are in a self contained classroom. Even if you aren't in a self contained classroom, you'll get put into one if the regular teacher or IA is out sick.

Yep. I had a teacher quit the week before school began in august and for the 6 weeks it took to get a long term sub the class was covered by an IA, who had to grade, go to CTs, almost all the things a teacher has to do (another teacher did give her lesson plans to use), and they wonder why this IA isn’t coming back next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A teacher who picks up an additional class to teach will also get a significant salary increase. Some will want to do it, especially if the teacher is near retirement. (Retirement pay is based on the average of the last few years of teaching.)

No, retirement is based on the three highest years, which is why some teachers leave teaching and become an IA for a year or two. It is less responsibility, but their retirement is not affected.

Do IAs have VRS benefits? I need to teach a few more years and it’s getting so hard. My salary doesn’t significantly increase anymore and DH makes the primary salary. This sounds like a great idea and something for me to look into. I would rather take a pay cut with less responsibility than pick up an extra class in my final teaching years.

It is my impression there is a different retirement plan/options for IAs.

It's the same. The IA salary is so bad and burnout is so high that most don't pay much attention to the VRS benefits. I doubt most IAs nowadays stay at the job long enough for it to be a good incentive. This is obviously different for teachers who switch to IA positions in their final years.

In previous years, I'd say switching to an IA role in the final years would be a fun way to wind down. Now? Not so sure. I would talk to a couple IAs at your specific school before you decide to do this. Our school has four leaving this year, even though they're taking reduced benefits to do so.

Why is IA burnout a thing? IAs don’t have to do conferences or any planning or grading. Please explain.

Because you're pulled in a million directions and the work is hard as hell, especially if you are in a self contained classroom. Even if you aren't in a self contained classroom, you'll get put into one if the regular teacher or IA is out sick.

Yep. I had a teacher quit the week before school began in august and for the 6 weeks it took to get a long term sub the class was covered by an IA, who had to grade, go to CTs, almost all the things a teacher has to do (another teacher did give her lesson plans to use), and they wonder why this IA isn’t coming back next year.

Oh yeah, there were a lot of IAs pulled to cover for days or weeks at a time. Some of these people make less money per hour than a sub. FCPS counters this by saying the IAs are eligible for benefits and subs aren't. This is true, but if you're an IA and the primary earner, you're better off getting on Medicaid because a significant chunk of your already low salary will be eaten up by insurance premiums. The amount that's put into VRS/ ERFC by the county based on an IA's salary is not enough to make this a credible argument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A teacher who picks up an additional class to teach will also get a significant salary increase. Some will want to do it, especially if the teacher is near retirement. (Retirement pay is based on the average of the last few years of teaching.)

No, retirement is based on the three highest years, which is why some teachers leave teaching and become an IA for a year or two. It is less responsibility, but their retirement is not affected.

Do IAs have VRS benefits? I need to teach a few more years and it’s getting so hard. My salary doesn’t significantly increase anymore and DH makes the primary salary. This sounds like a great idea and something for me to look into. I would rather take a pay cut with less responsibility than pick up an extra class in my final teaching years.

It is my impression there is a different retirement plan/options for IAs.

It's the same. The IA salary is so bad and burnout is so high that most don't pay much attention to the VRS benefits. I doubt most IAs nowadays stay at the job long enough for it to be a good incentive. This is obviously different for teachers who switch to IA positions in their final years.

In previous years, I'd say switching to an IA role in the final years would be a fun way to wind down. Now? Not so sure. I would talk to a couple IAs at your specific school before you decide to do this. Our school has four leaving this year, even though they're taking reduced benefits to do so.

Why is IA burnout a thing? IAs don’t have to do conferences or any planning or grading. Please explain.

Because we often do most of the behavior management while the teacher is teaching. We often have to adapt things or create without planning time. We are with students from morning bus to afternoon except for a 30 minute lunch. I’m not complaining but it is exhausting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A teacher who picks up an additional class to teach will also get a significant salary increase. Some will want to do it, especially if the teacher is near retirement. (Retirement pay is based on the average of the last few years of teaching.)

No, retirement is based on the three highest years, which is why some teachers leave teaching and become an IA for a year or two. It is less responsibility, but their retirement is not affected.

Do IAs have VRS benefits? I need to teach a few more years and it’s getting so hard. My salary doesn’t significantly increase anymore and DH makes the primary salary. This sounds like a great idea and something for me to look into. I would rather take a pay cut with less responsibility than pick up an extra class in my final teaching years.

It is my impression there is a different retirement plan/options for IAs.

It's the same. The IA salary is so bad and burnout is so high that most don't pay much attention to the VRS benefits. I doubt most IAs nowadays stay at the job long enough for it to be a good incentive. This is obviously different for teachers who switch to IA positions in their final years.

In previous years, I'd say switching to an IA role in the final years would be a fun way to wind down. Now? Not so sure. I would talk to a couple IAs at your specific school before you decide to do this. Our school has four leaving this year, even though they're taking reduced benefits to do so.

Can a teacher retire, draw VRS and ERFC benefits, take a break from the system and return to work as an IA while still drawing benefits?

I’d have to look it up, but I’m pretty sure the answer is no. More to the point, though, if you did that and if you were allowed to return at the top of the IA pay scale, you’d be making $44k pre tax and that number wouldn’t increase because you’re at the top.

Right. That's why I was thinking it might not be a bad idea if doable if I could draw my retirement and work as an IA.

You can make more than that in APS. That’s my current salary mid-career and they are adding steps next year

[Anonymous]

More and more are asked of IA’s .
Plus we do a deal w/ behavior issues stuff while teachers are teaching

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A teacher who picks up an additional class to teach will also get a significant salary increase. Some will want to do it, especially if the teacher is near retirement. (Retirement pay is based on the average of the last few years of teaching.)

No, retirement is based on the three highest years, which is why some teachers leave teaching and become an IA for a year or two. It is less responsibility, but their retirement is not affected.

Do IAs have VRS benefits? I need to teach a few more years and it’s getting so hard. My salary doesn’t significantly increase anymore and DH makes the primary salary. This sounds like a great idea and something for me to look into. I would rather take a pay cut with less responsibility than pick up an extra class in my final teaching years.

It is my impression there is a different retirement plan/options for IAs.

It's the same. The IA salary is so bad and burnout is so high that most don't pay much attention to the VRS benefits. I doubt most IAs nowadays stay at the job long enough for it to be a good incentive. This is obviously different for teachers who switch to IA positions in their final years.

In previous years, I'd say switching to an IA role in the final years would be a fun way to wind down. Now? Not so sure. I would talk to a couple IAs at your specific school before you decide to do this. Our school has four leaving this year, even though they're taking reduced benefits to do so.

Why is IA burnout a thing? IAs don’t have to do conferences or any planning or grading. Please explain.

Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea what an IA does?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A teacher who picks up an additional class to teach will also get a significant salary increase. Some will want to do it, especially if the teacher is near retirement. (Retirement pay is based on the average of the last few years of teaching.)

No, retirement is based on the three highest years, which is why some teachers leave teaching and become an IA for a year or two. It is less responsibility, but their retirement is not affected.

Do IAs have VRS benefits? I need to teach a few more years and it’s getting so hard. My salary doesn’t significantly increase anymore and DH makes the primary salary. This sounds like a great idea and something for me to look into. I would rather take a pay cut with less responsibility than pick up an extra class in my final teaching years.

It is my impression there is a different retirement plan/options for IAs.

It's the same. The IA salary is so bad and burnout is so high that most don't pay much attention to the VRS benefits. I doubt most IAs nowadays stay at the job long enough for it to be a good incentive. This is obviously different for teachers who switch to IA positions in their final years.

In previous years, I'd say switching to an IA role in the final years would be a fun way to wind down. Now? Not so sure. I would talk to a couple IAs at your specific school before you decide to do this. Our school has four leaving this year, even though they're taking reduced benefits to do so.

Why is IA burnout a thing? IAs don’t have to do conferences or any planning or grading. Please explain.

Our IA has had to step up and teach when the main teacher was sick with covid (twice). We definitely need to pay them more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A teacher who picks up an additional class to teach will also get a significant salary increase. Some will want to do it, especially if the teacher is near retirement. (Retirement pay is based on the average of the last few years of teaching.)

No, retirement is based on the three highest years, which is why some teachers leave teaching and become an IA for a year or two. It is less responsibility, but their retirement is not affected.

Do IAs have VRS benefits? I need to teach a few more years and it’s getting so hard. My salary doesn’t significantly increase anymore and DH makes the primary salary. This sounds like a great idea and something for me to look into. I would rather take a pay cut with less responsibility than pick up an extra class in my final teaching years.

It is my impression there is a different retirement plan/options for IAs.

It's the same. The IA salary is so bad and burnout is so high that most don't pay much attention to the VRS benefits. I doubt most IAs nowadays stay at the job long enough for it to be a good incentive. This is obviously different for teachers who switch to IA positions in their final years.

In previous years, I'd say switching to an IA role in the final years would be a fun way to wind down. Now? Not so sure. I would talk to a couple IAs at your specific school before you decide to do this. Our school has four leaving this year, even though they're taking reduced benefits to do so.

Why is IA burnout a thing? IAs don’t have to do conferences or any planning or grading. Please explain.

Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea what an IA does?

Somewhat, but I was an FCPS teacher. So not exactly, which is why I asked. I wondered if I should come back as an IA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A teacher who picks up an additional class to teach will also get a significant salary increase. Some will want to do it, especially if the teacher is near retirement. (Retirement pay is based on the average of the last few years of teaching.)

No, retirement is based on the three highest years, which is why some teachers leave teaching and become an IA for a year or two. It is less responsibility, but their retirement is not affected.

Do IAs have VRS benefits? I need to teach a few more years and it’s getting so hard. My salary doesn’t significantly increase anymore and DH makes the primary salary. This sounds like a great idea and something for me to look into. I would rather take a pay cut with less responsibility than pick up an extra class in my final teaching years.

It is my impression there is a different retirement plan/options for IAs.

It's the same. The IA salary is so bad and burnout is so high that most don't pay much attention to the VRS benefits. I doubt most IAs nowadays stay at the job long enough for it to be a good incentive. This is obviously different for teachers who switch to IA positions in their final years.

In previous years, I'd say switching to an IA role in the final years would be a fun way to wind down. Now? Not so sure. I would talk to a couple IAs at your specific school before you decide to do this. Our school has four leaving this year, even though they're taking reduced benefits to do so.

Why is IA burnout a thing? IAs don’t have to do conferences or any planning or grading. Please explain.

Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea what an IA does?

Somewhat, but I was an FCPS teacher. So not exactly, which is why I asked. I wondered if I should come back as an IA.

And you still don’t know what an IA does?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A teacher who picks up an additional class to teach will also get a significant salary increase. Some will want to do it, especially if the teacher is near retirement. (Retirement pay is based on the average of the last few years of teaching.)

No, retirement is based on the three highest years, which is why some teachers leave teaching and become an IA for a year or two. It is less responsibility, but their retirement is not affected.

Do IAs have VRS benefits? I need to teach a few more years and it’s getting so hard. My salary doesn’t significantly increase anymore and DH makes the primary salary. This sounds like a great idea and something for me to look into. I would rather take a pay cut with less responsibility than pick up an extra class in my final teaching years.

It is my impression there is a different retirement plan/options for IAs.

It's the same. The IA salary is so bad and burnout is so high that most don't pay much attention to the VRS benefits. I doubt most IAs nowadays stay at the job long enough for it to be a good incentive. This is obviously different for teachers who switch to IA positions in their final years.

In previous years, I'd say switching to an IA role in the final years would be a fun way to wind down. Now? Not so sure. I would talk to a couple IAs at your specific school before you decide to do this. Our school has four leaving this year, even though they're taking reduced benefits to do so.

Why is IA burnout a thing? IAs don’t have to do conferences or any planning or grading. Please explain.

Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea what an IA does?

Somewhat, but I was an FCPS teacher. So not exactly, which is why I asked. I wondered if I should come back as an IA.

How old are you? I'm not trying to be snarky; this is a serious question. Being an IA nowadays is physically demanding. You're dealing with students who need you to crouch down and be on their level, supporting students who cannot get off the bus by themselves or tie their own shoes, situations where you're running all over the school covering different classrooms, or chasing after students who elope, helping students who need postural support, and/or need helping with feeding and toileting. Most people over 50 and definitely over 55 are not cut out for that 7 hours per day, 5 days per week.