Throughout the Jackson Public School District, a lack of substitute teachers continuously adds to the already taxing day-to-day responsibilities of classroom instructors. In many cases, when teachers are absent, no substitutes are available to fill those gaps and attend to the teacherless students.
The educators still present are then required to add those learners to their classrooms using the infamous split lists. This occurrence happens over and over and over again, often causing academic, spatial and procedural disruptions.
Teachers must fulfill their duties to deliver effective classroom instruction for their students—and they are doing so to the best of their abilities. However, undue burdens nearly surmount teachers’ diligent investment in the academic achievement of these students this school year.
Something has to give.
‘If Teachers Do Not Advocate for Themselves, Who Will?’
We are tired of “babysitting” our co-workers’ students when they’re absent, and I know they’re tired of babysitting ours. We are tired of not getting our own work done effectively. It’s hard enough to educate some of our students with the many challenges they bring to the classroom.
We love these babies, and of course we want what’s best for them. But what’s love got to do with it? And this issue is not about remaining a flexible team player either. That ship has sailed. This cycle is abuse, plain and simple. If teachers do not advocate for themselves, who will?
Administrators designed the “Excellence For All: The Strategic Plan For Educating Jackson Scholars” plan as a series of commitments to the scholars and families of Jackson Public Schools to guide the district’s decisions and actions in the school years between 2019 and 2024. Click on the graphic to read the full document. Courtesy Jackson Public Schools
I would like to know how many principals have advocated for their teachers during their meetings on this issue—in every meeting. I would like to know how many assistant superintendents have implored the JPS Board of Trustees to solve this problem consistently. I would also like to know whether this crisis has even been on the agenda at the board meetings.