Sons Teacher Is Never at School.

I taught secondary school for many years. I left my full-time position teaching high school math half way through the spring semester. I was pregnant at the time and knew over a month before I left that I was going to leave, so I tried to find a great replacement for me. Sadly, the administration never found a full-time teacher to replace me, in spite of me alerting them a month in advance. Many of my students were taught by a long list of subs (several of whose specialty was not math) that year. My students suffered as a result. I might talk to the principal and other parents of students in the class to devise a plan to keep the students learning at the rate they would had the teacher been there regularly. I would consider additional tutoring. Some schools offer very good free after-school tutoring to any students who desire it.

Good luck,
Lynne

I'd discuss your concerns with the principal. It sounds like she's using FMLA and getting slammed with a lot of problems at home. Sometimes a school will get the same long-term sub when a teacher has to be out. One of my teachers in HS had a stroke and was out so they kept on her student teacher, who taught us under the direction of another science teacher. It worked out. But if the challenge only comes when she's there, maybe the lesson plans need to be reworked or someone needs to ensure the sub is following her plans.

How old is your son?
You could bring it up with the principal if you're worried or ask for extra work for him at home. In my state, substitute teachers have the same credentials as the rest of us (I'm a teacher) so that surprises me! There might also be teachers that teach the same grade that could provide work for him to do. I'm sorry that's happeneing. WHat a tough situation!

Switch teachers. It's nice that you care about the teacher's private life, too, but your #1 concern is your teacher and he needs to get a good education. If you don't feel like he is getting one from the revolving door in his classroom (certified or not), request a switch.

Wow, there are some pretty heated remarks to your post. Honestly, some of the responses rather offended me. I like the way you stated your concern, you want consistency, yet you do feel bad for the teacher's situation. As a teacher myself, I can tell you that we do NOT like to be out. We love our kids and know that it's best for them if we are there. It's hard being out for a day or more because yes, we do have to retrain a bit and review when we get back. I can assure you that if this is something that is a major issue, your child's teacher is doing everything possible to make sure her kids get the best sub possible. We love our students and do everything possible for them to succeed. Also, I know in my school, if a teacher is out for an extended period of time such as a medical injury or pregnancy, they go to certain subs. They will go to that certified list, they will find someone they know best, and really trust that can handle taking over while the teacher deals with personal stuff. The teacher will probably provide the plans for the sub and if not, her team will step in and help. The principal will also really be monitoring the situation too because he/she is also wanting the best education for the class during this tough time. They will try not to switch subs much and keep it as stable as possible.

As much as we love our students, family does come first. I have had a parent go to the principal on me before over being out and that's just wrong- come to me. State your concerns with the teacher. I have missed some thanks to 2 kiddos having swine flu for a week at a time, it's not something I can really prevent. I'm now totally paranoid to be sick or for my kids to be sick because I don't want someone in the admin office. If I'm at work sick that's not best for my kids either- exposing them, plus probably not at my best teaching wise. Now, it's different if someone is abusing their absences and regularly taking off for long weekends or vacations. We have to get our personal days approved by our principal. They are limited to 2, outside of that we get docked and that's no fun so who wants to do that if they don't really have too.

Now, as far as the it's our state dollars comment from someone, my goodness. We LOVE our job, we love our kids, and we are there for our parents. Yes, your state dollars to go towards are check but that does not give anyone the right to dictate our lives or the lives of our students. Yes, speak up for your child, it's your job as a parent to be their advocate. I can assure you that I am fighting for my students everyday, advocating for what's best for them. I am a parent too and I will step in if there is an issue with a teacher, but with respect and always go to the teacher first. I would tread lightly, but still express your concerns to the teacher. If it doesn't improve with the homework, then go to the principal. I do like the idea of outside tutoring too. Since you were concerned, you might even set up a meals list with other parents or some kind of restaurant gift card collection to help during this tough time. A basket of magazines, massage, cards from the kids, whatever, to lighten the stress & show that the class misses her.

Lastly, yes, I TOTALLY understand your concern and from a parent point of view, I would feel the same. It's a tough situation for all. I would hate to be in your situation, just continue to work with your child at home. Maybe you could volunteer in the class to help out the subs or help out the teacher with the little tasks that she's having trouble keeping up with during this time. (ie) bulletin boards, games, copies, class parties, filing, etc...

I hope I haven't sounded harsh. It wasn't about you or your post, it was mostly about people thinking you should switch teachers, gripe to the principal, or demand stuff because of their tax dollars. Have a little heart people- cancer! My goodness- let's just make her feel worse!

My first question is how old and what grade? Personally, if it happens when they're younger there is plenty of time to make it up. If you're really concerned, call the Principal.
S.

As a parent, yes I would definitely be concerned. I understand that things come up and you can't possibly be there every day but if it is a medical reason she should just take a leave of absence so that they could hire a certified long-term sub to take over.
I am a teacher as well and we had a similar situation with a teacher at our school. She would be at school maybe 2 days a week and would have a sub for the rest of the week. She was diagnoses with a very serious condition and at one time they thought it was possibly cancer but she is now on leave and we have a certified teacher as her sub for the remainder of the year. I definitely felt that as a parent I would have been concerned if my child was in her class at the beginning of the year.
I would make an appointment to speak with the principal and voice your concerns. If her husband is that sick she should just take a leave of absence and allow the school to get someone in the classroom that will be in charge and not just feel like they are there to "fill in." You have every right to be concerned about your child's education.
I would also like to comment to the person from Las Vegas that made a comment about the unions. Texas does not have teachers unions so that comment should not be made in this situation. I have taught in Michigan which does have a union and I have taught in Texas which does not have a union. I do have to say that I felt the students received a much better education in the state with a union than the one without. I feel like the teachers were treated better, happier with their jobs and as a result it showed in their teaching which is always better for the kids!

I didn't read all the responses. I know it is tough to have long term subs.

HOWEVER, I do know in Plano ISD, ANY long term sub must be certified. Check with the administration and see what the rules are for your ISD.

I substitute in the Plano system on occasion. I did it a lot more a couple years ago but I can't do it much now and keep our own business going the way we need to.

I understand caring about the teacher as well as your son. It is a tough situation to be in.

I would schedule a appt with the principal to discuss the lack on continuity in the classroom with the teacher being out so much. It is time to arrange for a long term sub, or at best someone (the same individual) who can sub when the teacher is out. Stress that it is not just for your son, but for all of the students in the classroom. If the teacher has been out, the sub should be following the lessons plans. If the main teacher is not providing those, then one of the other teachers (the lead teacher) should be stepping in and providing lesson plans and insuring that the kids get a good education. It sounds like his regular teacher has her hands full right now and I wouldn't try to add to her burdens.

I think I would talk to the principal about it also. I have heard that in some places non-certified adults can teach school but with limitations such as "X number of days per subject per school". I would think for a long term situation such as a few weeks at a time they would want someone certified. Have you looked at the website for your state's dept of ed? Perhaps you can find some answers there.

What did the Principal say when you asked about this? If they gave you a return date for the teacher, decide if that is going to work for you if not, you need to ask the principal when will a long term sub be sent to this room. This teacher sounds like she needs to co teach with someone so that this class can catch up and finish this school year.

There is nothing wrong with asking for this. How do the other parents feel?

I do not know how old your son is but after being a substitute for around 12 years I am sure with that amount of time they seek out the best for the class and every sub I ever knew who continued with a particular class was able to provide a very nice education. They do have to have a college degree which takes discipline. If he is studying for particular exams that you are worried about then perhaps you can ask for some additional help, such as someone taking him out of a classroom or tutor time or something like that. Again, I do not know your son's age, but I am sure he will be fine. I myself went through a year (Algebra of all things) in highschool where the teacher had an ear inner ear syndrome and was out a lot. Alright I am not exceptionally good at Algebra but I do not know if that was because of that or perhaps I am not too bright in Algebra teehee. Do not worry.