Anonymous wrote:You guys scare me with all these stories. What could parent do? I think all sub teacher(s) follow curriculum to teach students, and of course a long term sub is a lot better than different temp subs for the rest of school year. Is 2nd grade important? If my kid is really strong on academic, will she get affected less? Her IEP is mainly behavioral and social goals, and team work in school setting.

2nd grade is not important in the grand scheme of things. She has plenty of time to catch up if there's some kind of learning loss but I really doubt there will be given how involved you seem.

OP, don't panic yet. My child's wonderful teacher had to leave due to illness and they got another teacher who turned out to be terrific too.

The new teacher will be busy when she first starts so she not have time to catch up on the IEP. Email her with info about your child the first week just so she has a heads up and then ask for a meeting in a few weeks.

Supplement at home. Doubtful you will see a teacher for a long time.

You guys scare me with all these stories. What could parent do? I think all sub teacher(s) follow curriculum to teach students, and of course a long term sub is a lot better than different temp subs for the rest of school year. Is 2nd grade important? If my kid is really strong on academic, will she get affected less? Her IEP is mainly behavioral and social goals, and team work in school setting.

This has happened at schools I’ve taught at before (I’m in MCPS). Sometimes the class was covered by a long-term sub the rest of year, or is covered by different staff members throughout the day like paraeducators, reading specialist, staff development teacher, etc. It’s definitely not an ideal situation. I would want my child moved out of the class personally too.

Anonymous wrote:Teacher shortage and Teacher absenteeism is not a legitimate excuse for discrimination of students with disabilities. Submit a request to get your child get educated by another qualified internal or external educator, or else your child will learn nothing this school year.

How is it discrimination? Every student in the class is going to be affected by having a long-term sub, or a string of subs.

I once had a class that grew by 9 students because another teacher quit. I had 42 students as a result, 7-8 with IEPs. I had students sitting at my desk and on the windowsill.

I quit. The burden was just too much. I would have stayed if I could keep up with the work of 2 people, but I couldn’t.

These situations are only going to drive more people from the profession, which will further compound the problem.

-former public school teacher

I believe my kid is not only one in the classroom has IEP because there are push in services for a few kids. How does a principal find a long term sub? I overheard that a few kids falling behind because their parents raise their concern at open house. I hope that they hire a great long term sub.

We will attend parent teacher conference with the current teacher before she will be gone. That means we won't see the new long term sub until next year spring parent teacher conference or school hosted event that allow parents to attend.

They almost certainly can’t find a great replacement. Start advocating now for your child to be moved so you beat the crowd.

—MCPS teacher and parent

Some education majors are completing practicums and filling as long term subs. Hopefully this happens for your class.

Teacher shortage and Teacher absenteeism is not a legitimate excuse for discrimination of students with disabilities. Submit a request to get your child get educated by another qualified internal or external educator, or else your child will learn nothing this school year.

OP, your child’s class will likely have a long term sub who will act as the teacher for the remainder of the year. There are some education majors who graduate in december, so there is a chance there too.
As for a meeting for your child’s IEP, you will be invited to attend the Annual Review meeting. This meeting happens every year around the time that the document was originally created. But, no, you will not be contacted or given an additional meeting due to the teacher change just because your child has an IEP.

And why should they contact you for a meeting? If there’s an issue, they will reach out but clearly they will be busy figuring out staffing and supporting ALL kids.

There won’t be a replacement… teacher shortage is real. Until they reduce class sizes and address the case loads within sp Ed, this is the new reality.

They might be able to find a long term sub but I wouldn’t count on it.

My 2nd grade kid's homeroom teacher is leaving soon for the rest of school year for personal reasons, and school will find a replacement teacher. My kid is really sad because she is a nice teacher. I wonder how the school can find a great replacement teacher in a few weeks because I hear about school teacher shortage. Anyone knows? Finger crossed that it will be a great teacher with some experiences. She has IEP with anxiety issue, and that makes me more worried. Do you think IEP team or new replacement teacher will contact me or call for a meeting in the near future?