So let's talk about better maternity policies... Including making sure there are plans that support the teacher and the students. Having a terrible or even mediocre teacher for a classroom for half the year (which has been the track record I've seen with long term subs) is not really a character building experience for kids in my book. Really the poster with an axe to grind who seems to have posted under a number of sock puppets can legitimately point out that pregnancy policies in the workplace suck... And not to blame the woman.. But seems like the real anger should be at a system that doesn't support either the teachers or students well.

*PPs not PP.

Way to derail the thread, PP.

OP, first of all, I know it's frustrating when the teacher/child fit is good and coming to an end ahead of the expected end date (June).

However; this situation will work out fine, whether or not the sub is good or not, because it teaches the kids to be flexible with a variety of teaching styles. It will also, as a PP said, happen over and over in your kid's academic career.

As a side note, my DD is in 8th grade and we went to her school's Back to School Morning last Saturday. My kid loves history. The History teacher was amazing--enthusiastic, knowdlegable, energenic, magnetic. Her degree was in ancient Greek and Roman studies and that's what DH and I love--in fact I volunteer at a museum that specializes in ancient Greek and Roman antiquities. I was dying to talk with this woman, and her last slide was about her transition next month out while the regular teacher came back from maternity leave and I was quietly like, "What? NOOOOOOOOO......"

But that's the way of things and ultimately I'm glad that the schools give the teachers enough time off etc so they can HAVE a life. Makes for a happier, more well-rounded teacher. And btw as your kid gets older you may notice that the mom and dad teachers are the ones who give less homework because they understand the difficulties the parents have juggling the homework and sports and making dinner etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! I'm a teacher on maternity leave until November. This type of stuff makes me feel great! I have every right to have a baby whenever I see fit. Sorry she wasn't able to time her pregnancy for the summer.

Is it even possible for everyone to time their pregnancies like clockwork? I know so many people who had issues with infertility or took 6 months to a year to get pregnant for whatever reason. I work in academia and people like to talk about timing babies for the summer all the time. Not everything with everyone's body follows a perfect plan so that it is most convenient to others.

Exactly. I'm a teacher and as hard as I tried to be due last March (6 months off), I hadn't planned on infertility. Now I'm due in April (which is still pretty good timing) and I plan to take my full 16 weeks, which will goes into the beginning of the next school year. I don't feel bad at all that it might be inconvenient for some because it's what's best for my family. I agree with the other poster that DC should address the issue of substitute quality, but folks should also realize their children will not be ruined forever if a teacher is out for 4 months.

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
And how were YOU treated when you were pregnant, pray?

Instead of wording your post: "For those of you who know the system, is there any way to influence a long-term substitute selection?"

No, you chose to dump on the teacher.

I'm not sure what post you read, but the one I read only said this about the teacher, "Teacher is fantastic, DC LOVES teacher". If that is considered dumping on the teacher, you guys can dump on me anytime.

Folks, the OP has a legitimate concern. There is probably nothing she can do about it, but no need to attack her.

Usually I agree with you, Jeff. However, you've never been pregnant and experienced a less than welcoming workplace
Women on DCUM are particularly attuned to that - we are sensing resentment from OP that the teacher should have the gall to remove herself and abandon her student. Apparently the teacher is only loved when she's useful to her.
For the substitute question, I agree with OP that usually they're incompetent. There is no hope of parental influence there. OP could just have focused on THAT question.

I can understand your feeling that the OP should have focused her question differently. But, I don't agree that justifies turning the thread into an attack on her. If you don't like how the OP phrased her post and don't feel that you can provide a helpful response, just move along. Seriously, it's not that hard.

OK, Jeff, I'm not stubborn

Anonymous wrote:Wow! I'm a teacher on maternity leave until November. This type of stuff makes me feel great! I have every right to have a baby whenever I see fit. Sorry she wasn't able to time her pregnancy for the summer.

Is it even possible for everyone to time their pregnancies like clockwork? I know so many people who had issues with infertility or took 6 months to a year to get pregnant for whatever reason. I work in academia and people like to talk about timing babies for the summer all the time. Not everything with everyone's body follows a perfect plan so that it is most convenient to others.

This will teach your child to be more flexible. Remember, the rest of the staff at the school and her class will stay the same. It's a small bump in the road. Who knows, maybe your child will love the sub!

Wow! I'm a teacher on maternity leave until November. This type of stuff makes me feel great! I have every right to have a baby whenever I see fit. Sorry she wasn't able to time her pregnancy for the summer.

I think it was the "grr....pregnant teacher" heading that has rubbed some the wrong way, including me. That heading is not affirming. And, this is what I hear in the workplace from others all the time when someone gets pregnant and all the coworkers can think about is how it might increase their own workload for a few months. That is really NOT a good attitude and there is a reason we have laws against pregnancy discrimination. That aside, unless you are in the education field, I really am not sure how a parent would assess the skills of a potential temporary teacher. I am assuming parents at the school do not play any current role in hiring teachers. The school hired someone you love so it seems like you should be able to trust them to hire a good temp. What I do think parents can do is tell the school how much they love this teacher, how much they want her to be encouraged to return, and be optimistic with the principal about how you have faith in the school's ability to find a good temp.

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
And how were YOU treated when you were pregnant, pray?

Instead of wording your post: "For those of you who know the system, is there any way to influence a long-term substitute selection?"

No, you chose to dump on the teacher.

I'm not sure what post you read, but the one I read only said this about the teacher, "Teacher is fantastic, DC LOVES teacher". If that is considered dumping on the teacher, you guys can dump on me anytime.

Folks, the OP has a legitimate concern. There is probably nothing she can do about it, but no need to attack her.

Usually I agree with you, Jeff. However, you've never been pregnant and experienced a less than welcoming workplace
Women on DCUM are particularly attuned to that - we are sensing resentment from OP that the teacher should have the gall to remove herself and abandon her student. Apparently the teacher is only loved when she's useful to her.
For the substitute question, I agree with OP that usually they're incompetent. There is no hope of parental influence there. OP could just have focused on THAT question.

I can understand your feeling that the OP should have focused her question differently. But, I don't agree that justifies turning the thread into an attack on her. If you don't like how the OP phrased her post and don't feel that you can provide a helpful response, just move along. Seriously, it's not that hard.

This post is more about that there are too many sub-par substitutes in the system than it is about the lovely talented woman who is having a baby. So, what's the system for dealing with that?

And, yes, the fact this is not dealt with systemically (and not enough support for teachers in DCPS or elsewhere with family leave and/or to manage work-life balance)

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
And how were YOU treated when you were pregnant, pray?

Instead of wording your post: "For those of you who know the system, is there any way to influence a long-term substitute selection?"

No, you chose to dump on the teacher.

I'm not sure what post you read, but the one I read only said this about the teacher, "Teacher is fantastic, DC LOVES teacher". If that is considered dumping on the teacher, you guys can dump on me anytime.

Folks, the OP has a legitimate concern. There is probably nothing she can do about it, but no need to attack her.

Here's why the defensiveness:
1) "Grrrr..." That indicates OP is angry.
2) Pregnancy-related complaint. Again a woman is critiqued in the workplace because her pregnancy is perceived to inconvenience someone.
3) Assumption that parents should have the power to make staffing choices because they know best/more than the administration.

These are hair-trigger issues. If OP had added in something about redshirting, we'd have a trifecta.

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
And how were YOU treated when you were pregnant, pray?

Instead of wording your post: "For those of you who know the system, is there any way to influence a long-term substitute selection?"

No, you chose to dump on the teacher.

I'm not sure what post you read, but the one I read only said this about the teacher, "Teacher is fantastic, DC LOVES teacher". If that is considered dumping on the teacher, you guys can dump on me anytime.

Folks, the OP has a legitimate concern. There is probably nothing she can do about it, but no need to attack her.

Is there another posted titled "grrr...pregnant teacher?"

If your child had a great teacher who was going to leave for whatever reason, wouldn't you be frustrated? If the subject line where "grrr....teacher moving to California" or "grrr...teacher opening bagel shop" would you call that "dumping" on the teacher? If so, what would you call "Hurray....teacher leaving"?

If you try to slow your apparent initial desire to attack a poster, you could possibly contribute more significantly to this and probably other threads.

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
And how were YOU treated when you were pregnant, pray?

Instead of wording your post: "For those of you who know the system, is there any way to influence a long-term substitute selection?"

No, you chose to dump on the teacher.

I'm not sure what post you read, but the one I read only said this about the teacher, "Teacher is fantastic, DC LOVES teacher". If that is considered dumping on the teacher, you guys can dump on me anytime.

Folks, the OP has a legitimate concern. There is probably nothing she can do about it, but no need to attack her.

Usually I agree with you, Jeff. However, you've never been pregnant and experienced a less than welcoming workplace
Women on DCUM are particularly attuned to that - we are sensing resentment from OP that the teacher should have the gall to remove herself and abandon her student. Apparently the teacher is only loved when she's useful to her.
For the substitute question, I agree with OP that usually they're incompetent. There is no hope of parental influence there. OP could just have focused on THAT question.

I think everyone should have a family when they're ready , along with parental leave. I'd still feel bummed if we lost a great teacher.