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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTeacher departures leave schools scrambling for substitutes
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) With many teachers opting out of returning to the classroom because of the coronavirus, schools around the U.S. are scrambling to find replacements and in some places lowering certification requirements to help get substitutes in the door.
Several states have seen surges in educators filing for retirement or taking leaves of absence. The departures are straining staff in places that were dealing with shortages of teachers and substitutes even before the pandemic created an education crisis.
Add the technology requirements and the pressure to record classes on video, and Orzechowicz said it just wasnt what I signed up for when I became a teacher.
Overall, there was just this utter disrespect for teachers and their lives, she said. Were expected to be going back with so little. When school leaders said teachers would be going back in-person, full throttle, thats when I said, Im not doing it. No.
Teachers in at least three states have died after bouts with the coronavirus since the start of the new school year. Its unclear how many teachers in the U.S. have become ill with COVID-19, but Mississippi alone reported 604 cases among teachers and staff.
In cases where teachers are exposed to the virus, they could face pressure to return to the classroom. The Trump administration has declared teachers to be critical infrastructure workers in guidance that could give the green light to exempting them from quarantine requirements.
https://apnews.com/911a83b084ec23debadbd92bf559916d
tblue37
(65,273 posts)this year!
LisaL
(44,973 posts)Most of the students don't get severe symptoms but they could easily spread the virus. And I wouldn't count on at least some of them to be responsible. From what we have seen some college students have been partying without masks or social distancing.
no_hypocrisy
(46,065 posts)and with another p/t job as a cashier after school, I was doing OK.
Well, in my neck of NJ, school's started and I'm in demand. And I'm not returning. Not until there's a vaccine and/or a cure.
ProfessorGAC
(64,970 posts)But, the 6 biggest schools in which I sub are 100% online. So, they're not going to be calling at all.
One call was for 6th language arts. I don't do language arts, and generally don't do below 7th grade.
The other was for 7th grade social studies. But, I was already south of town, to meet some pals at a different golf course. No way I was turning around.
I'm not taking anything until golf season ends. By then, they'll either have proven they've got a handle on this, or they'll have retreated to fully online.
ProfessorGAC
(64,970 posts)Here in Illinois, that would require a change in state law.
Districts cannot just reduce the standards.
The law is very specific.
Associates degree holdovers were grandfathered in. All new applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree in something. In addition, even grandfathered AA holders can't do extended term jobs. 3 days max. Have to have a bachelor's to take a long term assignment. Also, they can't do math & science above the 5th grade level.
Other states might have different laws, but that isn't happening here.