Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This happens quite a bit. We have had two long-term subs with my son's classes.

One was terrible. One was not too bad.

Interestingly, we have learned that the subs do NOT have to have any sort of training in education. One of our subs had zero teaching experience (other than being a sub for MCPS). He had a degree in something totally different.

But, not much you can do. Lots of teachers are females. They have babies!

Not really. Since three years ago MCPS requires that subs be certified teachers. Some uncertified subs were grandfathered in, but for the most part the subs are all certified. Unfortunately that means there are very few subs and the ones we have are mostly retired teachers who are less then eager to teach.

Is that really true? We absolutely had a sub last year with zero teaching experience. Though he was middle-aged, so maybe he was grandfathered in?

And is that true for all subs or only long term subs?

I thought that only long-term subs need to be certified. They come up with lesson plans and grade. Short-term subs just need a bachelors degree and a very short orientation.

Long term subs don't need to be certified. I was on leave this year and my long term sub wasn't certified.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This happens quite a bit. We have had two long-term subs with my son's classes.

One was terrible. One was not too bad.

Interestingly, we have learned that the subs do NOT have to have any sort of training in education. One of our subs had zero teaching experience (other than being a sub for MCPS). He had a degree in something totally different.

But, not much you can do. Lots of teachers are females. They have babies!

Not really. Since three years ago MCPS requires that subs be certified teachers. Some uncertified subs were grandfathered in, but for the most part the subs are all certified. Unfortunately that means there are very few subs and the ones we have are mostly retired teachers who are less then eager to teach.

Is that really true? We absolutely had a sub last year with zero teaching experience. Though he was middle-aged, so maybe he was grandfathered in?

And is that true for all subs or only long term subs?

I thought that only long-term subs need to be certified. They come up with lesson plans and grade. Short-term subs just need a bachelors degree and a very short orientation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of our teachers all try to have summer babies.

That because there isn’t paid maternity leave.

They didn't try to have summer babies. They tried to have spring babies so they could use their sick leave until the end of the year, have the summer off and come back in the fall. They just didn't get pregnant as fast as they wanted. I was lucky to have 3 spring babies.

Teacher here-- I have one late April, one mid-May, and one (surprise) October. That October kid was a rule-breaker from the start.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This happens quite a bit. We have had two long-term subs with my son's classes.

One was terrible. One was not too bad.

Interestingly, we have learned that the subs do NOT have to have any sort of training in education. One of our subs had zero teaching experience (other than being a sub for MCPS). He had a degree in something totally different.

But, not much you can do. Lots of teachers are females. They have babies!

Not really. Since three years ago MCPS requires that subs be certified teachers. Some uncertified subs were grandfathered in, but for the most part the subs are all certified. Unfortunately that means there are very few subs and the ones we have are mostly retired teachers who are less then eager to teach.

Is that really true? We absolutely had a sub last year with zero teaching experience. Though he was middle-aged, so maybe he was grandfathered in?

And is that true for all subs or only long term subs?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of our teachers all try to have summer babies.

That because there isn’t paid maternity leave.

They didn't try to have summer babies. They tried to have spring babies so they could use their sick leave until the end of the year, have the summer off and come back in the fall. They just didn't get pregnant as fast as they wanted. I was lucky to have 3 spring babies.

Anonymous wrote:Most of our teachers all try to have summer babies.

That because there isn’t paid maternity leave.

Anonymous wrote:At DD's school (Wayside), there have not been any class interruptions for my entire 6 years there due to a pregnant teacher. The community here just won't stand for it. We expect FT teachers at all times, not some sub, so that our children can maximize their learning. We value education here.

You're not as funny as the Somerset ES poster used to be.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This happens quite a bit. We have had two long-term subs with my son's classes.

One was terrible. One was not too bad.

Interestingly, we have learned that the subs do NOT have to have any sort of training in education. One of our subs had zero teaching experience (other than being a sub for MCPS). He had a degree in something totally different.

But, not much you can do. Lots of teachers are females. They have babies!

Not really. Since three years ago MCPS requires that subs be certified teachers. Some uncertified subs were grandfathered in, but for the most part the subs are all certified. Unfortunately that means there are very few subs and the ones we have are mostly retired teachers who are less then eager to teach.

Really? I hadn’t heard this. Is this the reason why there’s a sub shortage in mcps? -teacher

Anonymous wrote:At DD's school (Wayside), there have not been any class interruptions for my entire 6 years there due to a pregnant teacher. The community here just won't stand for it. We expect FT teachers at all times, not some sub, so that our children can maximize their learning. We value education here.

At DD's school (Wayside), there have not been any class interruptions for my entire 6 years there due to a pregnant teacher. The community here just won't stand for it. We expect FT teachers at all times, not some sub, so that our children can maximize their learning. We value education here.

Anonymous wrote:Most of our teachers all try to have summer babies.

All of my teachers friends and I have aimed for April babies so we can have our 6 weeks off take us until the end of the year. That way, we can just come back in Sept.

Anonymous wrote:This happens quite a bit. We have had two long-term subs with my son's classes.

One was terrible. One was not too bad.

Interestingly, we have learned that the subs do NOT have to have any sort of training in education. One of our subs had zero teaching experience (other than being a sub for MCPS). He had a degree in something totally different.

But, not much you can do. Lots of teachers are females. They have babies!

Not really. Since three years ago MCPS requires that subs be certified teachers. Some uncertified subs were grandfathered in, but for the most part the subs are all certified. Unfortunately that means there are very few subs and the ones we have are mostly retired teachers who are less then eager to teach.

I'd leave it alone.

Sure - your kid might get in the class with the pregnant teacher.

Or the teacher might switch grades (this happens a lot).

Or your kid might get in a class with another teacher who doesn't appear pregnant, but is between 1-5 months pregnant in September and she'll be out anyway. This can always happen with a female teacher between 22-45 years old, you know.

We had a teacher pulled out of the class after the first month twice. In one case, we had zero warning! In both cases it was fine, and in one case it was actually better with the new teacher.

During kindergarten orientation the school counselor approached me because my son (who never once cried about new circumstances or had separation anxiety) started crying. She wanted to know if he was sensitive so she could place him with the appropriate teacher.

Despite some of the above posters 2cents, it seems the school wants to place kids in the classroom that is the best fit for them and leads to the smoothest transition for all.

If you think it will be a problem, let the school know.
I think it might be a good practice problem for your child to make it through but it is not my child and only you know your child best.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child will be starting kindergarten next year and one of the teachers will be out for part of the year with a new baby. My child is pretty sensitive and takes awhile to attach to new people so I’m stressed out about him potentially having to get used to a substitute teacher when the originally teacher is on leave. Should I request that he not be in the room where this will be happening? Am I totally overthinking this?

If you want to survive public education, repeat after me:

My child is not a special snowflake
I can not ask for special accommodations for my child, just because I don’t like the situation (as I am sure every other mom there doesn’t either)
My child is sensitive because I am overbearing, fear the worst, and want to navigate his entire life
The less a mom engineers their child’s life, school, and friendships; the stronger, more independent, and healthier my child will be.

You are the only one who will advocate for your kid in public education, so get ready to ignore this kind of lame advice. Quiet and complacent parents are why we have some of the problems we have in public ed today. But do avoid over-engineering, for sure! Find your balance. Is he somewhat anxious or really very anxious? The school does not want a highly anxious child to be more anxious. They know it is a big year for kids. They know subs are a stress. Hopefully, the teacher is lining up a great sub. Let them know if he is indeed a high anxiety child. Ask if they have any suggestions and take it from there. Be sure to take him to open house this summer and remember that he will take many cues from you.