I'm a MCPS admin who stopped wearing my mask as soon as possible. I'm by no means an "anti-masker" and encourage students and families to do what they need to do to feel safe at school. I fully expect some to continue wearing masks this fall and plan on having them outside with me tomorrow morning as we welcome our students into the new year. I feel fortunate that our students and staff are respectful of other's choices, and we haven't had issues with teasing in the past about masking. Please encourage your children to do what they feel they need to do to remain safe. I have a feeling we will all be masked again this winter so I'm trying to make the most of things right now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And, how is this an issue? Its better they mask vs. be out for a week or two sick and make their family sick. If your child has a speech disorder, get them private therapy and an IEP. MCPS is offering free tutoring again this year so take advantage of it.

Its none of your business why they choose to mask. But, good for them.

How could it NOT be an issue?? All the other 2nd grade teachers were unmasked at open house today… I felt a bit jealous.

This is so entitled.

NP. How is this entitled?!

Saying that a person shouldn't wear a mask is entitled

I teach kindergarten and I'm wearing my mask just like I did last year. I used mouth position photo cards to review letter sounds and occasionally pulled my mask down to show certain sounds (/f/ vs. /th/). I live with my elderly mother and I'm not taking any chances.

I am so thankful myself and my 3 friends resigned from teaching at the end of last year. We are enjoying the peace and quiet of staying at home and putting our children and ourselves first. I have never been happier. We hear all the horror stories about the parents and admin and shortages and we are so happy we made the right decision. I have no advice to offer as I am off duty. MCPS has reached out to us 4 times offering us incentives to come back. NO thanks.

Have a great year!

Anonymous wrote:Ask for a new teacher, if that doesn’t work go the IEP route. www.wrightslaw.com

Yup, this.

Plenty of microphone options that work with masks on amazon. Gift your teacher one.

How is your perspective valud? You expect an underpaid teacher to put herself at risk so your kid will get an added benefit? The demand on this profession is insane.

Anonymous wrote:His 1st grade teacher masked all year too. He has a speech delay and is behind in reading. His teacher said she is immunocompromised and plans to mask all year and maybe beyond “just to be safe”. I get it from the teacher’s perspective. But my perspective is valid too. I feel stuck.

That sucks. I would look to switch classrooms…or schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child's teacher also intends to mask all year and is very soft spoken. I told him just to ask her speak louder if he can't hear or understand her. I assume she has a "teacher voice" she uses during the school day.

But, I will say, this area is bonkers about masks and covid in general.

It’s not bonkers to wear a mask if you are immunocompromised. I would have no choice but to do the same. Wish I didn’t have to!

I’m also a teacher who will be wearing a mask. My parent has cancer and is beginning treatment next week. I work closely with a staff member who is immunocompromised. I also had Covid last school year when it ran through my classroom. You have no idea about the circumstances of individuals.

Exactly.

You can try to get your child in another class OP, there are probably parents who would be fine with a masked teacher.

In my case, for my health and the health of my family, I quit teaching and don't plan to go back.

Anonymous wrote:I would only make a big deal about this if my child were hard of hearing.

By 1st/2nd grade, teacher speech patterns likely won't influence a speech delay one way or another.

If your child cannot yet read, then work with them at home on the letter sounds and tongue placement. I wouldn't change teachers in your particular circumstance.

Yeah I would absolutely ask for a change if the child is hard of hearing. My DC is not but we had them evaluated last year just in case because they kept composing they didn’t understand the teacher, who of course sounded a bit muffled with the mask on.

Your last suggestion made me curious- how can parents support tongue placement for letter sounds? Do you have a link? I think we could use something like this. Thanks!

Yup, as it is their right to. Failing to see the problem, OP. Homeschool, private, or move on with your life.

Parents have pushed teachers to their breaking points. Here is a prime example. I wasn't going to wear a mask this year but I 100% am now. Solidarity for my immunocompromised friends in my building, to protect them from parents like OP. So,congrats, OP, you probably set off a chain reaction that will go the exact opposite as you had hoped.

It befuddles me that parents think they can take away the individual rights of teachers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child's teacher also intends to mask all year and is very soft spoken. I told him just to ask her speak louder if he can't hear or understand her. I assume she has a "teacher voice" she uses during the school day.

But, I will say, this area is bonkers about masks and covid in general.

It’s not bonkers to wear a mask if you are immunocompromised. I would have no choice but to do the same. Wish I didn’t have to!

I’m also a teacher who will be wearing a mask. My parent has cancer and is beginning treatment next week. I work closely with a staff member who is immunocompromised. I also had Covid last school year when it ran through my classroom. You have no idea about the circumstances of individuals.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And, how is this an issue? Its better they mask vs. be out for a week or two sick and make their family sick. If your child has a speech disorder, get them private therapy and an IEP. MCPS is offering free tutoring again this year so take advantage of it.

Its none of your business why they choose to mask. But, good for them.

How could it NOT be an issue?? All the other 2nd grade teachers were unmasked at open house today… I felt a bit jealous.

Sorry, it is an issue only for you. Not only that, a lot of things that are a-ok for NT kids will be an issue for you and your kid for the rest of your lives. Your options are to find a work-around or learn to think of these issues as non-issues. Your resilience and perspective matter in how you face your life ahead.

As the mom of an NT kid, I find it comforting that a teacher will opt to mask. But then, we have our own cross to bear - our race and our immigration status. We just deal with it. I suggest you deal with your issues too.