Child's Teacher Absent from School a Lot - When Would You Worry?

Give it some time. It's only a month into the year.

In the meantime, send the teacher a note, card, or give her a call to say you hope she is doing well, to show concern & support. Maybe volunteer to help in the classroom, if you can. She may be overwhelmed by a personal situation, and having a parent that extends the olive branch might be really helpful to her right now.

Personally, I was not my normal self in my trimester of pregnancy. I missed 2 weeks in a row because I was non-stop throwing up & nauseous. That never would've happened under normal circumstances.

You didn't mention if it was full day or half day. If half day, maybe she is only out for that half. Maybe the only time to get her dr. appts. in?

As a previous teacher, I can't imagine being gone that many times unless it was a severe situation (or several in a row).

Keep an eye on it and if in the next month she misses another 3 days, then maybe say something to the teacher. "It's none of my business, but I've been worried about you. I've noticed you've been out a lot. I hope everything is ok."

I would also not worry about the quality of his education in K, as long as the subs have been nice and hopefully consistent with the routines. Is there an aide in the room? If so, no worries at all. :)

Boy, I remember when I was in my first tri-mester and hadn't told anyone I was pregnant, and then came to work the day after Open House night. . . I should not have been in work that day.

I remember the time I got the chicken pox from the kids down the hallway at the apartment I lived in, but didn't figure it out until about 20 minutes before school started, and got sent home. I had subbed for a fellow teacher during my prep the previous day, and one of the HS seniors in the class was pregnant, so she had been exposed, and needed to go to her doc as a result. Oh, and the chicken pox vaccine came out one month later.

Or the time my doc missed that I had an ear infection, and I got delirious as my fever shot up, and I got so weak that I missed two weeks of school straight.

Or the first time I subbed for K, and I got sick two days later because new teachers typically do not have strong immunity to the germs that that kids bring to school. We always have a lot of kids absent in September as they start spreading germs around at Back-to-School time, and we always have new teachers getting frequent colds.

I remember sitting in my non-air-conditioned classroom on the third floor of a very old school building with one small window on a 100+ degree day with a dizzy spell due to the heat that should have sent me home, but there is no way I could have driven home, so I stayed in my classroom.

Or the year my grandmother, my husband's mother, my husband's aunt and my grandmother's sister died two months apart.

And I think of the times I have done all-nighters to finish grading or to make a special assignment that I knew the kids would enjoy.

I think of the Sundays my husband takes my daughter somewhere family-oriented and fun without me while I check papers.

I think of the money I have spend on books for my classroom library.

I think of the times I arrive at 7 a.m. and leave at 7 p.m. or later.

My co-worker didn't want to be gone today, but she had a medical procedure that couldn't get scheduled over the summer. Then she attended her child's IEP when she should have been in bed, but she waited the three hours for the meeting before she got to lie down as suggested by her doctor.

Very few people in the teaching profession are mindlessly taking days off. She's probably more upset about missing work than you are worried about her missing work.

Being out of the classroom is fairly stressful. It takes longer to prepare to be gone than to just go in while feeling unwell.

Every teacher knows how important it is to be in the classroom in the first months of class and would rather "die" than do it. I bet she has had no other options.

I like the prepare a meal for her idea.

You could also ask if she could use some help during the class and offer to help the kids with their reading or writing.

You already know why she was out. Illnesses and a drs appointment. Some things can't be helped.

Make her day and send her a nice note. She has obviously had a rough 5 weeks!

Hi T.-

I AM a sub...and I can assure you that 'teaching/learning' IS going on in the classes I am in...It is better 'quality' if the teacher leaves good plans...but I still strive to teach the subject at hand!

I agree, that the older grades are more of a challenge, but I get in early to a class...read up to familiarize myself with material...and then forge ahead!

Pre K and kindergarten are some of my favorite ages...but I enjoy middle and HS as well...

Best Luck!
michele/cat

I understand you are concerned. I agree to let the teacher know you are "concerned about her health". It does two things.. allows her an opening to maybe share what is going on and to let her know you have noticed.

It is so hard to be a full time working mom, especially for teachers. Their children and parents really depend on them and then their families need their mother and wife. Also it never fails that all hell breaks loose when school first starts.

Usually in kindergarten all of the lesson plans each day are the same. So if this teacher has not left the plans for a sub, the other teachers will share.

I know on our campus many of the subs are "permanent subs" or have worked on the campus many times and know the protocols.

You may want to offer to make the teacher a meal for her family one night. schedule it with her so she will not make other plans.

When ever you have concerns at your child's schools, always speak with the teacher first. Do not go above them. It would be like someone having a problem with you at your work, but not speaking with you, but going to the "big boss" instead.

I've had a really bad rate of absenteeism this year which was out of character and beyond my control. The reasons have included illness, death in the family and spousal breakdown. I hate that it affects my work, which I actually love. Perhaps your teacher has just had an unusually bad run of things and she may be back on track soon.

As a sub since 2000, I can guarantee you that our schools have a "sub list" of preferred subs.

We know most all the students, we know the routine, we teach the class, we discipline the class.

Maybe you should see how the system works at your school.

All of my days are prebooked, I rarely get a last minute call and if I do, no problem. I know the one and only elementary school where I sub inside and out. Kids know me as well.

I do a lot of 1st grade, love those children! I have new parents see me, question me and will hang out in the classroom like I am incapable of managing the class. Then they see children from grades 2-4 come visit their 1st grade teachers, come hug me, call me by name and god forbid... Witness me call these children by name!

Before you judge, get to know your substitute!!

i taught for a long time and i subbed as well. as a teacher, i not only always left detailed lesson plans, but i had a folder of continuously updated work in case i was unexpectedly out. we all did. as a sub in several districts, i almost always was left very detailed plans and back ups and instructions, all of which i followed as best as i possibly could. also, remember that many subs desperately try to impress because they desperately need a job. they are also a fresh face and may be excellent. .......and you dont know whats going on in your childs teachers life. it could be anything. and as long as it doesnt affect your child negatively, its really none of your business, honestly. so look at your childs work, ask your child questions about their day, ask what they learned today, what they did, etc. and see what you really think. talk to the other parents, but the reasonable ones, please. not the ones who are constantly looking to stir things up. and if its usually the same sub, i dont see why you cant set up a little meeting with her and talk, ask your questions etc... and if you still do really think your child isnt doing much whenever there is a sub, then yes, i would absolutely say something. if not, myob for now :)

Kindergarten would be easier to sub than say, 8th grade algebra... the kids are still going to learn their letter/color or whatever with a sub. Also, they usually go to an additional class such as art/pe or music. Also, most schools are still pretty selective with their subs and they do a great job.

It is very possible she is pregnant or has medical issues. One appt could have been for some sickness/health issue, then the next was likely a follow up. If it continues to happen, you can certainly speak to her or the principal about your concerns to see if she is okay. Maybe you can offer to be a volunteer in the class.

In Kindergarten, I don't think I'd care, as long as the subs were nice.

If it is kindergarten I would not worry, the subs follow what the teacher lays out and it is fine. I would be more concerned if it were like 5th or 6th grade or higher

Yeah, I agree I would not yet be concerned. I would see what the district's guidlines/rules are about teachers coming to school sick. She may just be following those to a "T" if she has a kid herself that could be playing into it more than you know.

I agree it would be based on the age, school grade and time of year. Kindergarden is not much of an issue. Grade 2 and up yes. But in the beginning of the year most schools are in review mode reminding the kids of last year. I'd not be so much concerned in September as say November or February March April time of year.

I was a sub in my girls school, and the teachers always left a detailed lesson plan, even in Kindergarden. I followed it down to a T!! First thing I did was sit down and read through everything..In my daughter class especially cause there was a little girl who was diabetic. She had to have snacks at certain times of the day. Don't be afraid to ask the teacher what the lesson plan is for the days she has a sub.

I would keep monitoring the situation. If the absentee rate continues at the same pace through Oct. and Nov. I would speak to someone.

We should always be concerned when the normal teacher is not in the classroom and our children are being taught by subs. However, it seems to be very common place in today's public school system.

The amount of time she receives off is in her contract with the school board, so there's nothing you can do. I would say request another teacher, but that doesn't help because in addition to the time they receive off, they are often taken out of the classroom for administrative duties, additional training, etc.

I think a consistent teacher in Kinder is so important...... To me, that is a lot of days missed.. I would talk to the principal and find out what is up... you deserve answers...

I would be concerned about the teacher. If she's been sick & had several doctor's appointments something could be really wrong. Of course if she is out b/c she has a cold she can't fully kick, honestly that is better for her students. I'm not sure why you couldn't inquire about it. Do you email your son's teacher? Perhaps you could email about something regarding your son and then mention you noticed she's been out a few times and is she feeling well/how is her daughter. Also you could inquire what she has the sub do with the kids when she is out. Obviously if it's something private she wouldn't tell you but as long as you word it in a way that is inquisitive and not attacking I don't see why she'd be upset. After all it is her job to make sure your son is learning and parents & teachers have to work together to accomplish that. Let us know what you find out. Have a great weekend. :-)

T.,

I would be worried now. I would talk with the school and find out whats going on. If she is not competent to teach, they should replace her asap. Just like students aren't set upi for success with multiple absences, teacher's are just the same. In my experience, sub teachers were ok but you never really learn as much when they are there vs. the teacher. GL

M

I too would not be very concerned at this point. If she contines to come in and out irregularly, there could be some concern with the kids having consistency especially as they're needing to learn the new routines of being in school for the first time. But if they have the same sub each time that would help.

As for subs in older grades -- Where we are subs don't goof around and good ones don't let kids goof off either. With all the state testing that determines a school's funding, etc., nobody's going to let older kids get away with little learning on sub days. But in K, it's not an issue.

If she continues to be out and you really get concerned you could express that to the principal but you won't be told anything about what's going on.

Sounds like a little too much in such a short time. Comment on it at the office. But give her a little more time. Kids need to adjust, and so do teachers.