Semi-rant: My oldest is now on his second long-term substitute teacher. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SwampYankee · #1 05-21-2010, 10:54 AM

My oldest son's teacher went out on indefinite maternity leave about 10 months ago so his class got a long-term substitute teacher. Now that long-term sub had a baby last month and is now on maternity leave so he has another long-term sub. I have no real concerns academically as the kid has no issues as far as school goes but I do wonder how some kids who have trouble might be dealing with that.

My 7 yo son's teacher is also out on maternity leave so he has a long-term sub.

So at our school (one of four elementary schools in town), we currently have 6 teachers/student teachers out on maternity leave. I don't know how many there are at the other elementaries, middle school or high school.

That's 6 additional salaries the town is paying at our school alone during a tight budget year.

Damn biological clocks.

TX76513 · #2 05-21-2010, 11:00 AM

When I read the thread title I thought this was about something else

t walgamuth · #3 05-21-2010, 11:29 AM

In our school system there is a huge slug of teachers my age who will be retiring soon, so we will go from not much maternity leave to boatloads of it. If it is any consolation a substitute teacher makes like not much more than minimum wage. (It is scandelous).

aklim · #4 05-21-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

I do wonder how some kids who have trouble might be dealing with that.

Damn biological clocks.

If they can't deal with it, I guess they will be flushed out. Strongest survive or so it should be. Adaptation is a strength.

Could be that Trojan had a bad batch or somebody spiked the rubbers.

Graplr · #5 05-21-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

That's 6 additional salaries the town is paying at our school alone during a tight budget year.

It doesn't exactly work like that. Teachers don't get "paid" on maternity leave. They have a couple options. Most that I know use up their sick leave. It varies by district and such but I get 12 days a year, 3 that I can use as a personal day for any reason. The personal days are non-cumulative (if I dont' use them they turn into sick days in the bank) but the sick days carry over into a "bank". So say a female taught for 5 years and then went on maternity leave. She could have 60 days (assuming she has all her days) in the bank she could use and get paid for while she is not working. But when those days run out, she either has to come back to work OR go on a FLMA leave in which she will neither get paid nor get benefits through work. I believe there is a cap on the amount of sick days one can use on maternity leave. I want to say it is 7 weeks?

It sounds like the original teacher is on FMLA. I believe you can take 3-5 years of FMLA leave before you lose all rights/seniority within the district. The second teacher is most likely NOT getting paid anything and likely just resigned her position as long-term subs don't get the same benefits.

So the town is NOT paying 6 additional salaries because a teacher has a baby. Maternity leaves and teachers are the norm, especially elementaries since the majority are women in the child bearing years.

Graplr · #6 05-21-2010, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

I have no real concerns academically as the kid has no issues as far as school goes but I do wonder how some kids who have trouble might be dealing with that.

It all depends on the quality of the long term sub teacher coming into the class. Many times the long term subs are teachers that can't get a full time position. Other times they are mothers that stay at home but work every once in awhile.

Graplr · #7 05-21-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Could be that Trojan had a bad batch or somebody spiked the rubbers.

No, like I said, maternity leave and teachers are the norm. I work in a pretty large school, but just off the top of my head I can think of 4 teachers that had babies just this school year.

aklim · #8 05-21-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graplr

No, like I said, maternity leave and teachers are the norm. I work in a pretty large school, but just off the top of my head I can think of 4 teachers that had babies just this school year.

I know but since I did spike my brother's rubbers, the thought occurred to me.

cmbdiesel · #9 05-21-2010, 12:52 PM

Ya know... I've noticed that teachers generally like children, might be a connection here.

One sure fire solution is to send your kids to be taught by.....THE NUNS!!!!!

I can only imagine that their number of teachers on maternity leave is somewhat smaller...

Graplr · #10 05-21-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

In our school system there is a huge slug of teachers my age who will be retiring soon, so we will go from not much maternity leave to boatloads of it. If it is any consolation a substitute teacher makes like not much more than minimum wage. (It is scandelous).

Then that district will be saving boat loads of money. Teachers near retirment age literally make double of what a first year teacher does.

Mistress · #11 05-21-2010, 01:05 PM

Is it something in the water? Swamp, at least he has a teacher....

aklim · #12 05-21-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmbdiesel

Ya know... I've noticed that teachers generally like children, might be a connection here.

One sure fire solution is to send your kids to be taught by.....THE NUNS!!!!!

I can only imagine that their number of teachers on maternity leave is somewhat smaller...

Until the priest gets bored with the boys and does the "hump and pump" with the nuns. (Going to hell for that one, aren't I?

)

SwampYankee · #13 05-21-2010, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

When I read the thread title I thought this was about something else

Yeah, huh.

SwampYankee · #14 05-21-2010, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

In our school system there is a huge slug of teachers my age who will be retiring soon, so we will go from not much maternity leave to boatloads of it. If it is any consolation a substitute teacher makes like not much more than minimum wage. (It is scandelous).

Average long-term sub salary in CT is $40K (based on working a full school year; per diem subs I believe are around $80/day) and pretty strict requirements. CT has the highest average starting teacher salary and ranks second only to CA for average salary ($59K+). Precisely why I'm trying to push my wife back into teaching.

aklim · #15 05-21-2010, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

Yeah, huh.

When I hear substitute, I think prostitute