Across the nation, there is a teacher shortage. This shortage has caused several existing teachers to have no choice but to take on classes they didn’t sign up to teach. This is a very stressful time for teachers and students alike for they now must switch to a new routine after they just got used to another. Teachers are often stressed out by large class sizes and these new additions are not helping with those feelings. Students must also now adapt to a new teacher and possibly a new teaching style.
Teachers are generally not paid enough as is, and while adding a class may bring in an increase to their pay, the increase is not reflective of the amount of work they are putting in. On average, teachers get paid approximately $60,000-$65,000 per year in Manatee County; if teachers choose to take on more classes and give up their planning period, then they should get a raise that reflects the amount of time and effort being put in. Those who have taken on more classes deserve to receive a bump in pay because of the spontaneity of the situation. It is only fair that they have an actual incentive for being able to take on extra classes and not being able to have their planning period anymore. This means that they most likely have to take their work home and/or do it during their lunch period.
For most teachers, they had no idea this was going to happen. They had just found a rhythm, and now it had to be changed effective immediately. “As improvisational as I am I like to have an outline ready so I can go off and then come back to something solid. It’s a little uncomfortable, but I’ll do it. I believe in my knowledge base for literature where I can jump into anything last minute…. just give me breathing room to set up… meaning, don’t judge me for a few weeks and all will balance out” says Michael Strzempka, who has been a teacher for 26 years. The staff that have taken on these new classes seem to be okay with what is happening, but they feel a little bit like they were rushed into something which is fair, because they were.
The teachers with the new classes also must make changes to how they operate their teaching style and grading system. Some have even had to spread their students to other classes to take on the new classes. They have also had to go through multiple processes to ensure that their grading is accurate.
In an interview with Pauline Barnes, who teaches AP English Language Composition, ENC1101, and ENC2210, Barnes said that she has “had to restructure [her] classroom environment to accommodate another (different) class. In addition to giving up planning, two of my AP Lang. classes were spread out into other classes so that I could take TWO new classes (ENC1101). Many of my students had to make schedule adjustments. I’ve had to work on updates to both Canvas and Focus to make sure grades and assignments are accurate, and I have also had to learn about the students as well as the expectations for this dual enrollment course. Naturally, the amount of planning and grading has increased – I get up and begin work at 4:30 each morning and stay at work until 5:00 so that I don’t have to spend as much time working on the weekend.”
Mrs. Barnes has taught for 22 years and has just had the rug pulled out from under her. Based on what she has said, it also seems like these teachers have had to work much harder than they already do, just so that they can have time on the weekends to relax.
Despite all these things the teachers have had to face, what they are doing is truly amazing. Without teachers like Mrs. Barnes and Mr. Strzempka, students would be struggling more than they are right now. The staff at the Macohi want to say thank you to these teachers who have positively impacted our lives. What they are doing is wonderful and without them the school would not be the same.
