Real talk: are there going to be enough teachers for summer school?

[Anonymous]

We have a kid registered, but the school is being super cagey about "confirming seats." I can't believe they are offering only $200 a week in extra pay for teaching summer school after this year--are any teachers taking them up on this? Trying to figure out what the backup plan will be.

[Anonymous]

I've taught summer school every year for 10 years, and I'm not doing it this summer. The money is nice, and needed, but we will scrimp a bit more and get by. I'm just too exhausted.

[Anonymous]

MCPS is more likely than DC or NoVa to successfully staff, but there are many teachers who are not interested in summer school knowing that the fall is going to be grueling for everyone. The extra money won’t help with that. Especially since principals are telling teachers to rest, travel, and do routine medical care this summer.

[Anonymous]

Why will the fall be grueling?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a kid registered, but the school is being super cagey about "confirming seats." I can't believe they are offering only $200 a week in extra pay for teaching summer school after this year--are any teachers taking them up on this? Trying to figure out what the backup plan will be.

Anonymous wrote:I've taught summer school every year for 10 years, and I'm not doing it this summer. The money is nice, and needed, but we will scrimp a bit more and get by. I'm just too exhausted.

Anonymous wrote:MCPS is more likely than DC or NoVa to successfully staff, but there are many teachers who are not interested in summer school knowing that the fall is going to be grueling for everyone. The extra money won’t help with that. Especially since principals are telling teachers to rest, travel, and do routine medical care this summer.

Wait! This doesn't fit the DCUM narrative! "Teachers have had it easy, spending most of the year in their pajamas or on the beach in Mexico..."

I'm just a para, but there's absolutely no way I'd do summer school this year. Well, maybe for a $10k bonus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why will the fall be grueling?

Getting kids used to routines and procedures of being in school again who havent been in school for a year.

[Anonymous]

The fall will likely be completely normal, but with masks - perhaps only for unvaccinated kids. There is no reason to think otherwise at this point.

However, I agree that teachers have had a grueling 18 months, and they need a break. We ALL need a break. My kids will not be participating in school-organized programs this summer. My oldest will learn to drive and prepare his SAT. I will enroll my youngest in Art of Problem Solving. And the rest of the time, we will RELAX!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why will the fall be grueling?

Getting kids used to routines and procedures of being in school again who havent been in school for a year.

Indeed. With just the few kids back so far, it's been a struggle getting them back in the school routine the last couple months, and some still haven't really gotten it.

[Anonymous]

Our principal said in a PTA meeting that teachers who volunteered last summer are largely burned out and not interested in working this summer. She was not sure how she would staff it. I assumed she'd get retired teachers, but if pay is too low that won't happen.

[Anonymous]

Going back to school in the fall will mean students have had a year and a half of doing whatever they wanted. I see it now with just a few kids in each classroom. I cannot imagine what fall will be like when they've been used to ruling the roost at home for so long. Every day, I have students tell me they don't want to do work or they don't feel like it. At home, they don't have to. Their parents don't make them. They do what they want when they want it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Going back to school in the fall will mean students have had a year and a half of doing whatever they wanted. I see it now with just a few kids in each classroom. I cannot imagine what fall will be like when they've been used to ruling the roost at home for so long. Every day, I have students tell me they don't want to do work or they don't feel like it. At home, they don't have to. Their parents don't make them. They do what they want when they want it.

Yeah, because their parents were working, for like the majority of the last 10 months that kids were virtually learning. Always the parents' fault though, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why will the fall be grueling?

Getting kids used to routines and procedures of being in school again who havent been in school for a year.

Indeed. With just the few kids back so far, it's been a struggle getting them back in the school routine the last couple months, and some still haven't really gotten it.

Are you talking about early elementary? Because after a few years of school, kids know exactly what they're supposed to be doing in class and a pandemic really isn't going to make them forget that. 6th and 9th are transition years to much larger buildings, multiple teachers and higher expectations, but apart from those specific grades, there's nothing grueling about returning to normal.

However, everyone needs a break this summer.

[Anonymous]

Given we have zero information on it, we signed up for private classes. Not going to wait and miss another opportunity.

[Anonymous]

My neighbor is a principal and mentioned the other day that they were struggling to find teachers. She even said "I don't blame them, I wouldn't do it either".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why will the fall be grueling?

Getting kids used to routines and procedures of being in school again who havent been in school for a year.

Indeed. With just the few kids back so far, it's been a struggle getting them back in the school routine the last couple months, and some still haven't really gotten it.

Are you talking about early elementary? Because after a few years of school, kids know exactly what they're supposed to be doing in class and a pandemic really isn't going to make them forget that. 6th and 9th are transition years to much larger buildings, multiple teachers and higher expectations, but apart from those specific grades, there's nothing grueling about returning to normal.

However, everyone needs a break this summer.

It won’t really be normal yet. Normal is a good 12-18 months out still. There’s increased testing planned, which will be grueling for everyone. MCPS is also launching new curriculum in at least three subject areas at the same time.

And emotionally, many students are dealing with trauma from losing loved ones or family’s extreme economic stress. MCPS doesn’t just educate the children of DCUM who got CS because their parents were telecommuting from 8-4.