topic Re: Teacher Absences in Community Chat

Teacher Absences

ScrapHappy — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 20:36:12 GMT

It is not my intention to start a heated debate over this. I'm just curious. My daughter is a junior in high school. An important year (they're all important but this one in particular). Since the beginning of the school year (August 8th), I've noticed a lot of her teachers being absent. My daughter said that 3 of her teachers were not there this past Monday. One of those teachers, her History teacher wasn't there the Friday before either and then the class was told on Monday there will be a quiz on Tuesday. However, the substitute for this class only instructed them to "read whatever they want" on the 2 days the teacher wasn't there. My aughter felt there was little instruction given before quiz. This same teacher just told the class she won't be in class this Friday (August 8th) or the next week (though they do have have the 10th - 12th, so just two days). There hasn't been one week from school that at least 1 teacher has not been present or more. I believe teachers work very hard and deserve time off, but is this usual?

Re: Teacher Absences

Desert Lily — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 20:43:52 GMT

IMO these are things that should be discussed with the teacher(s) and/or the school administrator. I doubt that students have all the facts to give to parents or grandparents. There are many factors and possibilities. Going to the original source and getting the facts and then discussing your concerns with that educator would likely be most helpful.

Re: Teacher Absences

deepwaterdotter — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 20:47:48 GMT

I would discuss this issue with the school administration. The parents have a right to know what is going on.

Re: Teacher Absences

paixmcdao — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 20:50:02 GMT

@ScrapHappy wrote:
It is not my intention to start a heated debate over this. I'm just curious. My daughter is a junior in high school. An important year (they're all important but this one in particular). Since the beginning of the school year (August 8th), I've noticed a lot of her teachers being absent. My daughter said that 3 of her teachers were not there this past Monday. One of those teachers, her History teacher wasn't there the Friday before either and then the class was told on Monday there will be a quiz on Tuesday. However, the substitute for this class only instructed them to "read whatever they want" on the 2 days the teacher wasn't there. My aughter felt there was little instruction given before quiz. This same teacher just told the class she won't be in class this Friday (August 8th) or the next week (though they do have have the 10th - 12th, so just two days). There hasn't been one week from school that at least 1 teacher has not been present or more. I believe teachers work very hard and deserve time off, but is this usual?

I have always contacted my kids' teachers with concerns or questions.

Re: Teacher Absences

Johnnyeager — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 20:56:24 GMT

I wonder if the school district is currently negotiating renewal of the teachers' contract.

As others have said, if it's impacting the quality of the student's education I would definitely speak to a principal or someone in administration.

Re: Teacher Absences

RedTop — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:03:38 GMT

I am in WV, and my daughter is a teacher. The school year started for her in early August, and so far she has missed 6 days due to attending mandatory training sessions. She has been encouraged to attend another training that will have her out another 4 days.

Re: Teacher Absen

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:04:46 GMT

@ScrapHappy I was a sub at the high school level for 14 years. Teachers have lives outside of school and sometimes have to take a day off for professional development, illness, a sick child, personal business, medical appointments, etc. I was kept as busy as I wanted to be and could have worked every day if I wanted to. There were times when I was assigned to the same classroom for a large chunk of the semester and other times I was in a different classroom every day for the entire pay period (two weeks). A good teacher will prepare ahead, when they can, and leave lesson plans for the sub, but sometimes the morning surprises would happen and we'd have to pinch hit. Other teachers in the department could be helpful but there were times when class time became an extra study hall. It happens.

Re: Teacher Absences

skatting44 — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:13:43 GMT

The friends and family , I have gave up on the public school system 2 yrs ago and have since had their children in private schools or home schools.

Re: Teacher Absences

Trailrun23 — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:23:26 GMT

There are Jewish holidays right now and perhaps they are missing school in observation of RoshHashanah and Yom Kippur. Another reason may be due to health issues such as dr appts or treatments. Also, this time of year, districts make teachers miss classes for trainings and meetings.

Re: Teacher Absences

4kitties — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:23:29 GMT

We do private school. No problems with teacher absences.

Re: Teacher Absences

Mersha — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:31:30 GMT

@4kitties wrote:
We do private school. No problems with teacher absences.

@4kitties Are private school teachers not required to ever attend seminars or training sessions as are public school teachers for continued learning and improvement?

ETA Teachers work so hard and give so much of their free time and money to help in the classroom. It is frustrating to see them bashed repeatedly when they give and put forth so much effort.

Re: Teacher Absences

RollTide2008 — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:40:19 GMT

My son is a senior. I don't keep track of when he has a sub. Several of his teachers put out a weekly email newsletter. I noticed one teacher announced he was out last week to accompany one of this classes that meets on a different period on a field trip. I know another teacher is struggling with long covid. She wanted to take a leave of absence but the district is short on subs and had trouble finding a long term sub in that subject area. I only know that because I'm certified to teacher that subject and occasionally sub for her. I can't quit my job to do that every day though. I am grateful for everything she does to be there for her students though.

Re: Teacher Absences

4kitties — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:32:45 GMT

@Mersha

I truly do not know about their training. There are days when school is closed for training, but there is not an absentee problem.

These are my grandchildren, so I am not aware of the details. I know my grands are doing very well with their testing and we all are very happy with their education.

Re: Teacher Absences

Grade1Teach — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:37:46 GMT

I have not had time to read the responses, but I can only speak for my own experience as a teacher.

There are MANY reasons for absences:

1. Covid is still a big one and it does not have to be disclosed to students and families when a teacher is out with it.

2. There are professional development classes/meetings that teachers MUST attend. They are mandatory and happen several times throughout the course of the year. We do this in my school/district all of time. Teachers are not happy about being pulled out of their classes, but it's something they are forced to do.

3. Things happen. Many teachers have their own families. Teachers get sick themselves. People in their famillies die. Doctor appointments must be made. There are SO many reasons why a teacher might be out.

4. Of course, the reason could also be that the teacher wants a 3 day weekend and decides to take off on a Friday or a Monday. It happens all of the time, but it doesn't make it right. Either way, you won't know the reason a teacher was out.

As long as the teachers are not going above their allocated sick and personal days, there really isn't anything parents can say. I understand that parents get upset when a teacher is out, but they must remember that teachers are people too. We don't have the kind of job that we can take off an hour here or there for a doctor's appointment or to go to our child's parent teacher conference. Most districts require a teacher to take either a full day or half day to do these things. Teaching and having your own family and problems do not work well together. Sometimes a day off is a necessity.

Re: Teacher Absences

ScrapHappy — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:39:24 GMT

@4kitties wrote:
We do private school. No problems with teacher absences.

My daughter was in private school for 5 years (Kindergarten thru 4th grade). After moving, attended public school in a highly rated school district. When she took tests and just "little" quizzes the teacher gave to see where students were, she was at a 3rd grade level math. I kept in touch with those from the private school, showed them what she was doing in math, etc. They were shocked.

Re: Teacher Absences

ECBG — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:39:49 GMT

There are state mandates requiring teachers to do continuing education to keep their teaching license.

Some areas have workshops for their state at remote locations to be trained in new curriculim and distribute new curriculim guides which are likely on CD now.

Teachers are reimbursed, but we had to give up a week of our summer vacation.

Counties may have required workdays to learn safety taught by local police, first aide and CPR, many areas.

Re: Teacher Absences

Mersha — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:40:06 GMT

@4kitties wrote:
@Mersha

I truly do not know about their training. There are days when school is closed for training, but there is not an absentee problem.

These are my grandchildren, so I am not aware of the details. I know my grands are doing very well with their testing and we all are very happy with their education.

@4kitties Of course there is no absentee problem. They are losing a whole day of instruction.

Re: Teacher Absences

4kitties — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:43:55 GMT

@ScrapHappy

Sorry to hear that your school did not work out well.

My family is very happy with our school and the grands are very much at their level when tested. My oldest grand just started public high school. She tested very well and loves her high school.

Re: Teacher Absences

beach-mom — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:45:23 GMT

@ScrapHappy - I was a community college instructor in my previous career. Had I been absent a lot, without a very good reason, I don't think it would have gone unnoticed.

My children graduated before the pandemic. You're right- junior year is a crucial year. The students are preparing for college, and taking standardized tests.

I also substituted in the past, when I first returned from teaching in Japan. Fifty percent of the teachers would let me actually teach, and fifty percent left "busy work," usually worksheets the students had previously done.

One thing you might want to think about doing is to talk to your daughter's guidance counselor and express your concern. It is not fair to your daughter to be doing "busy work" instead learning everything she can.

Re: Teacher Absences

Mersha — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:45:48 GMT

@ScrapHappy wrote:
@4kitties wrote:
We do private school. No problems with teacher absences.
My daughter was in private school for 5 years (Kindergarten thru 4th grade). After moving, attended public school in a highly rated school district. When she took tests and just "little" quizzes the teacher gave to see where students were, she was at a 3rd grade level math. I kept in touch with those from the private school, showed them what she was doing in math, etc. They were shocked.

@ScrapHappy In our county, public school teachers are required to have advanced teaching accreditation than are those in private schools.

I am not shocked that the public schools were working ahead of the private schools.