SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350 
Location: Dallas Texas
|
Post by SabrinaP on Sept 25, 2021 14:49:11 GMT
My school is suffering. We just had two teachers this week file for leave. One had Covid right at the start of the year and is suffering long term effects. We’ve been in school for 6 weeks and she’s only been there 4 days. I’m hoping she is able to get healthy in her time off. The other teacher had to take leave for stress. She’s a kindergarten teacher with a very tough group this year.
I think this year is harder than last year because we knew last year would be hard. We were prepared for it. By the end of the year we thought things were getting better and that this year would be “normal” only to find so much is so much harder.
How is everyone else doing so far?
|
|
|
|
Post by gorgeouskid on Sept 25, 2021 15:12:21 GMT
We've had a number of COVID cases, both staff and students. We're in a mandatory indoor masking district so the number isn't huge. The school board is voting soon to require weekly testing of unvaccinated students. I can't imagine the logistics and cost of that in an elementary school of hundreds and hundreds of students.
Huge shortage of subs is impacting us on a daily basis (district pays subs VERY well). Admin and support staff (certificated) are frequently called to fill in where there is no sub. Our special ed 1:1 aides have been out a lot, and our students with autism are suffering.
Everyone is burned out already, very testy, and feeling like pre-spring break April.
I'm doing okay personally, though pushing into multiple classes daily each having a few kids who aren't very mask compliant makes me nervous.
|
|
|
|
Post by monklady123 on Sept 25, 2021 15:20:13 GMT
I'm just the substitute, but I can tell you that our teachers here are tired already. What you said about how we expected things to be better this year is so true! I mean, in many ways they *are* better. But honestly I think so many people were expecting things to go back to almost-normal because of the vaccines...but clearly that hasn't happened. Even in areas like mine where a lot of people are vaccinated it's still a problem. And my county's covid rates are actually up this week from last and hospital admissions are up also.  All of the covid stuff just adds to an elementary teacher's day-to-day list... "Susie, pull your mask up please"... "Billy, mask".... "Susie, pull your mask up please"..."Johnny, mask over your nose please"... Susie! PULL YOUR DAMN MASK UP!!" --- okay, maybe not that last one, but you know that's what the teacher is thinking.   The only saving grace this year is that the classes are smaller than they have been because our county has lost students (mostly transfers to private schools, and some to hybrid or homeschooling). The year before the pandemic our 3rd grades (my favorite to sub in because I love the teachers on that team) had 27 kids each. Now this year they have 20. That helps at least. |
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Sept 25, 2021 15:34:38 GMT
I'm just the substitute, but I can tell you that our teachers here are tired already. What you said about how we expected things to be better this year is so true! I mean, in many ways they *are* better. But honestly I think so many people were expecting things to go back to almost-normal because of the vaccines...but clearly that hasn't happened. Even in areas like mine where a lot of people are vaccinated it's still a problem. And my county's covid rates are actually up this week from last and hospital admissions are up also. All of the covid stuff just adds to an elementary teacher's day-to-day list... "Susie, pull your mask up please"... "Billy, mask".... "Susie, pull your mask up please"..."Johnny, mask over your nose please"... Susie! PULL YOUR DAMN MASK UP!!" --- okay, maybe not that last one, but you know that's what the teacher is thinking. The only saving grace this year is that the classes are smaller than they have been because our county has lost students (mostly transfers to private schools, and some to hybrid or homeschooling). The year before the pandemic our 3rd grades (my favorite to sub in because I love the teachers on that team) had 27 kids each. Now this year they have 20. That helps at least. I get why you said it, but I hate the word "just" in front of substitute. Substitutes are the only way we are staying open. Subbing is one of the most difficult things to do in a school and subs get paid so little to do it. Thank you! |
|
SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
|
Post by SabrinaP on Sept 25, 2021 15:36:47 GMT
I'm just the substitute, but I can tell you that our teachers here are tired already. What you said about how we expected things to be better this year is so true! I mean, in many ways they *are* better. But honestly I think so many people were expecting things to go back to almost-normal because of the vaccines...but clearly that hasn't happened. Even in areas like mine where a lot of people are vaccinated it's still a problem. And my county's covid rates are actually up this week from last and hospital admissions are up also. All of the covid stuff just adds to an elementary teacher's day-to-day list... "Susie, pull your mask up please"... "Billy, mask".... "Susie, pull your mask up please"..."Johnny, mask over your nose please"... Susie! PULL YOUR DAMN MASK UP!!" --- okay, maybe not that last one, but you know that's what the teacher is thinking. The only saving grace this year is that the classes are smaller than they have been because our county has lost students (mostly transfers to private schools, and some to hybrid or homeschooling). The year before the pandemic our 3rd grades (my favorite to sub in because I love the teachers on that team) had 27 kids each. Now this year they have 20. That helps at least. You are so much more than JUST a sub! Thank you for what you do! I found out yesterday that my district only has 35 subs for the entire district. We have around 12,000 students and are growing rapidly. My job is intervention and I have 3 aides that do intervention groups with me. My aides end up having to sub or classes get split between the grade level more often than not because we just aren’t getting subs. |
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Sept 25, 2021 15:37:40 GMT
At the HS, we have 2 teachers out with Covid and have has at least 10 students test positive. Still no masks or quarantine required if you are exposed at school. If you are exposed at home, then you are supposed to quarantine. Smdh. I am already tired. Non-covid related, admin keeps piling shit on my plate. I'm purposefully putting the crap that doesn't directly effect students on the back burner. I'm kind of hoping I get called out so I can ask them when the f#&k I'm supposed to do all this?  |
|
SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,350
Location: Dallas Texas
|
Post by SabrinaP on Sept 25, 2021 15:39:42 GMT
At the HS, we have 2 teachers out with Covid and have has at least 10 students test positive. Still no masks or quarantine required if you are exposed at school. If you are exposed at home, then you are supposed to quarantine. Smdh. I am already tired. Non-covid related, admin keeps piling shit on my plate. I'm purposefully putting the crap that doesn't directly effect students on the back burner. I'm kind of hoping I get called out so I can ask them when the f#&k I'm supposed to do all this? Yes! My old team texted me yesterday that they got in trouble because their lesson plans are not in a particular new format the principal wants. I know this team and they are hard working. I’m over the expectations that cannot possibly be met during contract hours. |
|
ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,499
|
Post by ellen on Sept 25, 2021 16:41:43 GMT
I'm just the substitute, but I can tell you that our teachers here are tired already. What you said about how we expected things to be better this year is so true! I mean, in many ways they *are* better. But honestly I think so many people were expecting things to go back to almost-normal because of the vaccines...but clearly that hasn't happened. Even in areas like mine where a lot of people are vaccinated it's still a problem. And my county's covid rates are actually up this week from last and hospital admissions are up also.  All of the covid stuff just adds to an elementary teacher's day-to-day list... "Susie, pull your mask up please"... "Billy, mask".... "Susie, pull your mask up please"..."Johnny, mask over your nose please"... Susie! PULL YOUR DAMN MASK UP!!" --- okay, maybe not that last one, but you know that's what the teacher is thinking.   The only saving grace this year is that the classes are smaller than they have been because our county has lost students (mostly transfers to private schools, and some to hybrid or homeschooling). The year before the pandemic our 3rd grades (my favorite to sub in because I love the teachers on that team) had 27 kids each. Now this year they have 20. That helps at least. My school needs several of you, so you are not "just" the substitute. We've had teachers gone because of Covid related things of their own kids. We have not once been able to get a sub for them. We're starting to see problems in areas schools and businesses. It is only a matter of time before things fall apart in my unmasked school. I wouldn't sub here either. |
|
|
|
Post by ihaveonly1l on Sept 25, 2021 16:43:50 GMT
I'm exhausted. |
|
RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
Posts: 5,380
|
Post by RosieKat on Sept 25, 2021 17:06:59 GMT
Yes! My old team texted me yesterday that they got in trouble because their lesson plans are not in a particular new format the principal wants. I know this team and they are hard working. I’m over the expectations that cannot possibly be met during contract hours. Not a teacher here, but this makes me so mad. This is NOT the year to have to worry about fonts and layouts! As long as the info is there, then suck it up, principal! |
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Sept 25, 2021 17:31:25 GMT
At the HS, we have 2 teachers out with Covid and have has at least 10 students test positive. Still no masks or quarantine required if you are exposed at school. If you are exposed at home, then you are supposed to quarantine. Smdh. I am already tired. Non-covid related, admin keeps piling shit on my plate. I'm purposefully putting the crap that doesn't directly effect students on the back burner. I'm kind of hoping I get called out so I can ask them when the f#&k I'm supposed to do all this? Yes! My old team texted me yesterday that they got in trouble because their lesson plans are not in a particular new format the principal wants. I know this team and they are hard working. I’m over the expectations that cannot possibly be met during contract hours. I'd do such a half assed job on it. I am DONE doing admin crap on my time. I will always do for my students, but I'm done with the damn hoops |
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Sept 25, 2021 17:48:28 GMT
And now, one of the four teachers in my building (and the one I share a room and computer with) just let me know he has Covid. Came down with symptoms yesterday, tested positive today.
Even though masks are optional in ny district, I've been masking most of the day...maybe I won't get it.
|
|
|
|
Post by leannec on Sept 25, 2021 18:11:46 GMT
Things suck when it comes to my school ... kids and teachers are stressed ... I'm totally burnt out ... I have one class that is making me nuts ... they are out of control ... admin will not make any moves of students ... this needs to happen so I am very frustrated ... I have been teaching since 1997 and this is my most challenging class  We are bombarded with computer based information we need to load for various things ... English as a second language learners ... takes forever ... reading assessments have to be completed and then the results have to be inputted in more than one place ... it's ridiculous There is literally no time to lesson plan ... I am forced to teach Art and I am not an Art teacher ... no experience with it at all ... fun times. The teacher's in my school are all feeling down ... we complain and bitch in small groups to each other pretty much every day just to vent ... our principal is not popular  |
|
TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,767
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
|
Post by TankTop on Sept 25, 2021 18:19:03 GMT
This is year 20 for me and I am struggling.
Sub shortages, no masking, teaching quarantined 2nd graders on zoom and in class kids at the same time… it is just too much.
Plus, I have a parent harassing and threatening me. My admin has stepped in and has told the parent they are no longer allowed to contact me for any reason. The constant harassment on top of everything else just about to break me.
|
|
|
|
Post by flanz on Sept 25, 2021 18:21:03 GMT
freecharlie - fervently hoping that you will NOT get sick! TO ALL OF YOU checking in here:
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! YOU ARE ALL HEROES!I wish I could make it all better, I wish everyone understood the need to be fully vaccinated, etc. etc. PLEASE let us know how we can support you!
|
|
|
|
Post by flanz on Sept 25, 2021 18:22:18 GMT
This is year 20 for me and I am struggling. Sub shortages, no masking, teaching quarantined 2nd graders on zoom and in class kids at the same time… it is just too much. Plus, I have a parent harassing and threatening me. My admin has stepped in and has told the parent they are no longer allowed to contact me for any reason. The constant harassment on top of everything else just about to break me. FFS! I'm so sorry, TankTop! That is so unfair on top of an already impossible set of demands heaped on your shoulders. |
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Sept 25, 2021 18:33:23 GMT
This is year 20 for me and I am struggling. Sub shortages, no masking, teaching quarantined 2nd graders on zoom and in class kids at the same time… it is just too much. Plus, I have a parent harassing and threatening me. My admin has stepped in and has told the parent they are no longer allowed to contact me for any reason. The constant harassment on top of everything else just about to break me. I'm sorry you have to deal with that parent. At least admin is backing you on that |
|
|
|
Post by Merge on Sept 25, 2021 18:40:35 GMT
This is year 20 for me and I am struggling. Sub shortages, no masking, teaching quarantined 2nd graders on zoom and in class kids at the same time… it is just too much. Plus, I have a parent harassing and threatening me. My admin has stepped in and has told the parent they are no longer allowed to contact me for any reason. The constant harassment on top of everything else just about to break me. This year of all years? Dang. Which is the pea who has the biting journal? That parent needs to be added to it. |
|
|
|
Post by Merge on Sept 25, 2021 19:09:05 GMT
What everyone else has said - constant mask reminders suck, there are no subs, etc. We had to split the art teacher’s classes among the rest of us specialists yesterday because she called in sick with no sub. That’s the norm now. I’m continually afraid our shiny new dance teacher is going to quit. She’s brand new and has no idea what she’s doing (currently completing alternative cert) and learning the job under these circumstances is killing her.
My district has decided that no one is notified of a Covid positive student except those who need to quarantine as a result. That means I never know when we have a new case until the class shows up and several are missing. Sigh.
I’m tired. We’re all tired. And our new SSO is breathing down our principal’s neck for some reason, so we’re having to submit complete lesson plans (the first time in at least 10 years I’ve had to do this - normally they just want an overview of objectives being covered for each class). It’s time consuming and tedious, and feels particularly pointless as I am literally the only person in the school who understands the objectives and methods for my content area.
|
|
seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,408
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
|
Post by seaexplore on Sept 25, 2021 19:38:24 GMT
I'm April tired. It's only the 34th day of school. Progress reports and conferences were last week. Usually after conferences more kids start doing work. Nope. Not this year. All my class averages are in the F range. I am accepting late work a WEEK LATE FOR FULL FUCKING CREDIT and it's still not being completed. I grade things and return for corrections (math teacher) and the kids just hit turn in. They don't bother to come and see me to get it completed, not messages back that they need me to help them. Just click "turn in" and it magically goes away. I'm over it. I thought this year, being only math, could be my chance to get the kids where i need them to be. Nope. Flipped classroom even so they have time in class to work and I can help them on things. Nope. It's a mess. AND I have a student teacher. I am totally ok with him. He's great and jumping in to help which I so much appreciate. BUT we have teachers out and he's a sub in our district so he gets pulled to sub for classes at my site. It's good because he's getting experience but he needs to also be getting his school stuff done and doing student teacher stuff. This past week he subbed for my K students class and my 5th grade students class. My 5th grader said he's awesome. I told him his yesterday and it made his day.  Only 146 more days until summer break. I have 5 days (spirit dress up days with homecoming friday) this week until a week long fall break. I can make it. |
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Sept 25, 2021 19:53:00 GMT
I'm April tired. It's only the 34th day of school. Progress reports and conferences were last week. Usually after conferences more kids start doing work. Nope. Not this year. All my class averages are in the F range. I am accepting late work a WEEK LATE FOR FULL FUCKING CREDIT and it's still not being completed. I grade things and return for corrections (math teacher) and the kids just hit turn in. They don't bother to come and see me to get it completed, not messages back that they need me to help them. Just click "turn in" and it magically goes away. I'm over it. I thought this year, being only math, could be my chance to get the kids where i need them to be. Nope. Flipped classroom even so they have time in class to work and I can help them on things. Nope. It's a mess. ]AND I have a student teacher. I am totally ok with him. He's great and jumping in to help which I so much appreciate. BUT we have teachers out and he's a sub in our district so he gets pulled to sub for classes at my site. It's good because he's getting experience but he needs to also be getting his school stuff done and doing student teacher stuff. This past week he subbed for my K students class and my 5th grade students class. My 5th grader said he's awesome. I told him his yesterday and it made his day. Only 146 more days until summer break. I have 5 days (spirit dress up days with homecoming friday) this week until a week long fall break. I can make it. I hate this. |
|
kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,513
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
|
Post by kate on Sept 25, 2021 19:59:26 GMT
I think this year is harder than last year because we knew last year would be hard. We were prepared for it. By the end of the year we thought things were getting better and that this year would be “normal” only to find so much is so much harder. My principal just emailed us yesterday with almost exactly these words. We've had a LOT of teachers out - no one has tested positive (we have weekly surveillance testing), but many teachers have kids who've had to quarantine. Two of my own kids have had to quarantine, but they're big, and I don't have to stay home with them. It feels like we're working under perpetual "emergency" rules - normal, routine things are not being addressed. The smartboard in my room quit working (it's OLD), and the temporary replacement can't connect to my school computer (the computer is too old). I could cry, because I have zero hope that this problem will get resolved. It's just too far down everyone's priority list. Peoples' fuses are short - everyone's exasperated. Also, the kids don't know how to be in school! The kinders don't know how to make a circle. The PK-2s have never been with groups of kids in their whole lives - no daycare, no mommy & me classes, etc. - and many have never separated from their parents at all. It's been REALLY hard on those kids and on their teachers! Despite all of that, I'm so happy to see all my classes in person. I'm finally meeting many of the kids I taught all year last year on zoom, and they are different people than I thought! |
|
|
|
Post by freecharlie on Sept 25, 2021 20:03:09 GMT
I think this year is harder than last year because we knew last year would be hard. We were prepared for it. By the end of the year we thought things were getting better and that this year would be “normal” only to find so much is so much harder. My principal just emailed us yesterday with almost exactly these words. We've had a LOT of teachers out - no one has tested positive (we have weekly surveillance testing), but many teachers have kids who've had to quarantine. Two of my own kids have had to quarantine, but they're big, and I don't have to stay home with them. It feels like we're working under perpetual "emergency" rules - normal, routine things are not being addressed. The smartboard in my room quit working (it's OLD), and the temporary replacement can't connect to my school computer (the computer is too old). I could cry, because I have zero hope that this problem will get resolved. It's just too far down everyone's priority list. Peoples' fuses are short - everyone's exasperated. Also, the kids don't know how to be in school! The kinders don't know how to make a circle. The PK-2s have never been with groups of kids in their whole lives - no daycare, no mommy & me classes, etc. - and many have never separated from their parents at all. It's been REALLY hard on those kids and on their teachers! Despite all of that, I'm so happy to see all my classes in person. I'm finally meeting many of the kids I taught all year last year on zoom, and they are different people than I thought! we were talking about this last weekend. The k-1 kids have no idea how to be in a group The 6th and 7th graders are basically 1st time middle schoolers as are the 9th and 10th graders first time in hs. Since we are in person it is nothing like last year. Our 11th and 12th graders have forgotten and many teachers (in my school) want to do things the same way they have done it for 12+ years. These kids are different than any before and teachers have to adjust and adjust again and then adjust to some stupid admin thing...it is rough |
|
|
|
Post by h2ohdog on Sept 25, 2021 20:10:50 GMT
I’m part time staff this year and don’t do any teaching. I volunteered the last two years teaching AODA prevention at the same 4K-8 school( (last year we were open, in-person all school year, with many restrictions). We started September 1 and I can already see the teachers are stressed beyond belief. Oh, I did sub for two classes two weeks ago and the kids were AWFUL. I must have blocked it out of my memory. I think you’re right, SabrinaP— last year people kind of expected it. This year everyone is "over it" |
|
johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
|
Post by johnnysmom on Sept 25, 2021 20:24:51 GMT
In the office it’s exhausting. Everyday there are calls telling us a kid was exposed so we have to calculate their return date, explain to parents why their kid has to be out so long, listen to them yell about it, etc. The health department is constantly changing something, whether it’s changing quarantine procedures or reporting processes, every week it’s something different.
Add in my frustration with our unvaccinated staff. Some of the bus drivers were exposed again when one came in sick, and of course many aren’t vaccinated so once again every bus sub we have is being utilized to cover those quarantines. We have 1 teacher (and her dh) hospitalized, she’ll be out a month at minimum. Another teacher is out bc her whole family is positive and battling COVID pneumonia, of course she wasn’t vaccinated bc her dh said no 🙄
We’re so low on subs some of the classes haven’t even done their beginning of the year testing yet. But at least we don’t have any classes out on remote learning right now so that’s an improvement from the prior week.
Oh and for fun this year the board office decided the elementary lead secretary should move to the HS and the secondary HS secretary should come to the elementary, I would move to lead at the elementary. Yeah, well upon hearing this the HS secretary quit on the spot. So I’ve had to train someone new. Unbeknownst to us, she’s somehow related to the custodian and apparently did something awful bc the custodian, who is usually a doll, refuses to clean our office while the new girl is there or communicate with her at all. So I’m torn between watching my back (what did this girl do?) and wanting to scream at the childness of it all 🤦🏻♀️
|
|
Judy26
Pearl Clutcher
MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
Posts: 2,834
Location: NW PA
|
Post by Judy26 on Sept 25, 2021 20:28:18 GMT
Jumping through hoops pisses me off more than anything. You all deserve huge amounts of money and alcohol for putting up with the bullshit from admin during a pandemic!
Here’s my vent. I’m a retired teacher (35 years) working in a state/federally funded adult Ed program. I do transition support helping our students figure out what they want to do after completing their GED or ESL program.
I have a student from Afghanistan who has his masters degree in engineering. His English is still poor so he is taking ESL classes. He decided to enroll in an electrician program at a technical school. He had his college transcripts translated and evaluated (huge cost to do this). He’s accepted to the tech school and starts next week.
On Wednesday his advisor calls me to tell me that they need his high school transcripts, also. FROM AFGHANISTAN!!! He has a freaking college degree but they want me to call AFGHANISTAN to get a high school transcript. When I said that it was impossible to get a call through to his school at this time due to the political unrest in the country she said, and I quote, “Well maybe you could email them.” @#$#@ Seriously, do they think I have an in with the Taliban!?!?
Luckily, I have worked closely with our state dept. of education and was able to call the Ed. Secretary and he made some phone calls. My student will start his program on time. And the advisor got an earful from both me and the Sec. Ed.
|
|
|
|
Post by Merge on Sept 25, 2021 21:14:50 GMT
My principal just emailed us yesterday with almost exactly these words. We've had a LOT of teachers out - no one has tested positive (we have weekly surveillance testing), but many teachers have kids who've had to quarantine. Two of my own kids have had to quarantine, but they're big, and I don't have to stay home with them. It feels like we're working under perpetual "emergency" rules - normal, routine things are not being addressed. The smartboard in my room quit working (it's OLD), and the temporary replacement can't connect to my school computer (the computer is too old). I could cry, because I have zero hope that this problem will get resolved. It's just too far down everyone's priority list. Peoples' fuses are short - everyone's exasperated. Also, the kids don't know how to be in school! The kinders don't know how to make a circle. The PK-2s have never been with groups of kids in their whole lives - no daycare, no mommy & me classes, etc. - and many have never separated from their parents at all. It's been REALLY hard on those kids and on their teachers! Despite all of that, I'm so happy to see all my classes in person. I'm finally meeting many of the kids I taught all year last year on zoom, and they are different people than I thought! we were talking about this last weekend. The k-1 kids have no idea how to be in a group The 6th and 7th graders are basically 1st time middle schoolers as are the 9th and 10th graders first time in hs. Since we are in person it is nothing like last year. Our 11th and 12th graders have forgotten and many teachers (in my school) want to do things the same way they have done it for 12+ years. These kids are different than any before and teachers have to adjust and adjust again and then adjust to some stupid admin thing...it is rough K-1 this year feels like my first year teaching in a high-poverty school, where the kids had either never been away from home or had only been in low-quality daycares where they don't teach any school skills. It's not their fault, of course. But it's so hard. I can only do about a 20 minute lesson with K and 30 minutes with 1st, and then we have to just stop and sing silly songs and stuff. Many of the kids are just completely mentally checked out by the time I see them at noon or 1 PM. |
|
Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,363
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
|
Post by Jili on Sept 25, 2021 21:17:30 GMT
I'm just the substitute, but I can tell you that our teachers here are tired already. What you said about how we expected things to be better this year is so true! I mean, in many ways they *are* better. But honestly I think so many people were expecting things to go back to almost-normal because of the vaccines...but clearly that hasn't happened. Even in areas like mine where a lot of people are vaccinated it's still a problem. And my county's covid rates are actually up this week from last and hospital admissions are up also. All of the covid stuff just adds to an elementary teacher's day-to-day list... "Susie, pull your mask up please"... "Billy, mask".... "Susie, pull your mask up please"..."Johnny, mask over your nose please"... Susie! PULL YOUR DAMN MASK UP!!" --- okay, maybe not that last one, but you know that's what the teacher is thinking. The only saving grace this year is that the classes are smaller than they have been because our county has lost students (mostly transfers to private schools, and some to hybrid or homeschooling). The year before the pandemic our 3rd grades (my favorite to sub in because I love the teachers on that team) had 27 kids each. Now this year they have 20. That helps at least. My school needs several of you, so you are not "just" the substitute. We've had teachers gone because of Covid related things of their own kids. We have not once been able to get a sub for them. We're starting to see problems in areas schools and businesses. It is only a matter of time before things fall apart in my unmasked school. I wouldn't sub here either. I agree. We have just one outside sub now. One. We have 27 classrooms. Our parapros do all the subbing, which means that they’re not doing their own jobs. |
|
MaryMary
Pearl Clutcher
Lazy
Posts: 2,975
|
Post by MaryMary on Sept 25, 2021 21:18:55 GMT
I just finished my third week, so I haven’t been back at it as long as the rest of you. Things are actually kind of getting in the groove for me. The kinders are settling in and not so hard to keep on task. I love my new job. It’s such an improvement from last year, although I agree that I was hoping we would be in a different place with Covid by now.
There are no subs for even general Ed classes so I am not very confident I will ever be able to find a music sub when I need one.
There are not enough bus drivers or support staff. Our afternoon pick up takes an hour because we are waiting for buses to arrive.
However, the kids are sweet and so happy to be back.
|
|
|
|
Post by elaine on Sept 25, 2021 21:46:03 GMT
I just finished my third week, so I haven’t been back at it as long as the rest of you. Things are actually kind of getting in the groove for me. The kinders are settling in and not so hard to keep on task. I love my new job. It’s such an improvement from last year, although I agree that I was hoping we would be in a different place with Covid by now. There are no subs for even general Ed classes so I am not very confident I will ever be able to find a music sub when I need one. There are not enough bus drivers or support staff. Our afternoon pick up takes an hour because we are waiting for buses to arrive. However, the kids are sweet and so happy to be back. The bus driver shortage is so bad in our district that there is now a $3K signing bonus (no joke) and their starting pay is $22.91 per hour with regular step increases up to $31/hour. I will admit that the pay rate is a little hard to swallow, because I am making a whopping $14.79 per hour as a substitute. However, I have no desire to drive a bus, so clearly they have to pay so well to attract people willing to do the job. The most interesting part of spending a week in one school as a sub has been to see the reactions to me. I really focus on being upbeat when I walk in the front door of the school. I make a point of saying “hello” to all staff I pass in the hallways. 80-85% of the staff say “hi” back and are very friendly, however, there are about 15-20% of the staff who just look at me (or not) and don’t respond at all, as if I’m not worthy of a “hello” back. I don’t let it deter me, or change my mood, but it does make an impact. Listening to the teachers in the lounge when eating my lunch it seems that everyone is struggling with standardized testing and the majority of their students scoring below expected grade-level for reading and math. It doesn’t apply to the children in the room I’ve been in since they don’t participate in any of that. I’m glad that our school district is 100% masking, except while eating lunch or snack, even on the playground. I’m going to get my Pfizer booster in 30 minutes, and am relieved about that. |
|
The only saving grace this year is that the classes are smaller than they have been because our county has lost students (mostly transfers to private schools, and some to hybrid or homeschooling). The year before the pandemic our 3rd grades (my favorite to sub in because I love the teachers on that team) had 27 kids each. Now this year they have 20. That helps at least.
The only saving grace this year is that the classes are smaller than they have been because our county has lost students (mostly transfers to private schools, and some to hybrid or homeschooling). The year before the pandemic our 3rd grades (my favorite to sub in because I love the teachers on that team) had 27 kids each. Now this year they have 20. That helps at least.
