Montgomery County teachers union warning of a ‘great resignation’

Montgomery County Education Association President Jennifer Martin is warning the Maryland school system is facing a “great resignation” if staffing shortages aren’t addressed.

The school system currently has over 300 full-time teacher vacancies. Martin said that on any given day, half the requests for substitutes go unanswered, resulting in teachers being pulled from their lunch breaks or planning periods to cover classes. She said teachers are only being paid $15 an hour extra for class coverage.

“We are asking for $55 an hour for covering classes and other duties during our planning time. To match what Howard County public schools is doing for its educators and to demonstrate a respect for their professionalism,” Martin said at a news conference outside a Montgomery County Public Schools Board of Education meeting in Rockville.

The union has a list of other demands to ease the burden on teachers, including a moratorium on new initiatives introduced into the school system, additional early release days for more planning time, and more attractive pay to recruit and keep substitute teachers...

https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2021/11/montgomery-county-teachers-union-warning-of-a-great-resignation/?fbclid=IwAR2AucxIaDCP5RI8_bJDovuuAMud6LfJ59bcE57vY6be1A_4WfzxRmddM48