education employees deserve to be compensated with a summer break stipend to help pay our bills during the unpaid months we are off. Especially substitute teachers! We are the backbone to make sure the system is stable and help cover teachers who are sick or for long-term vacancies due to the shortage.
Did you know long-term subs who only get an additional $30 average increase per day to become "the main teacher" which includes the lesson planning, grading, contacting parents, attending meetings, and professional development? As a long-term sub, I went from $189 a day to $220 a day BEFORE TAXES. I essentially lose 4 FULL days from taxes. I got no insurance benefits and still do not get paid holidays like teachers did. Long-term subs are essentially full-time teachers for a bargain of the cost of the school.
I helped one school with no Spanish teacher for 3 weeks, No 8th-grade teacher for a month, and No science teacher for 3 months because no other sub wanted to deal with these skills. At the same time, I was underpaid with a masters degree and denied unemployment benefits for the summer. Subs shouldn't have to waste a company's time to train them for 2 months of work knowing we are temporary and with our education we are overqualified for entry-level summer jobs. Its disrespectful that schools and agency disqualify you from getting unemployment benefits. Soon subs will just leave education soon so the country can deal with a teacher and sub shortage because the system deserves it.
Sorry for the long rant
Here is a summary:
Education employees, especially substitute teachers, deserve a summer stipend to cover unpaid months. Substitutes are crucial for maintaining stability but face inadequate pay and benefits. Long-term subs handle full teacher duties with minimal pay increases, no insurance, and no paid holidays. They often cover critical gaps, yet are denied unemployment benefits in summer, making it hard to find temporary work. This unfair treatment may drive subs away, worsening the teacher shortage. The system needs to improve compensation to retain these essential workers.
Comments
mama that doesnt make sense why would you get paid for time you are not working lol. I think teacher pay should be better but what other job do you get paid for time you are not working besides standard PTO
LizzoBigGirl school districts and agencies send letters of reassurance with statements during a recess period whether unemployment will deem you eligible to collect unemployment benefits during the recess period. Despite being unemployed, school districts and agencies write that you would be returning and not laid off. This happens so schools and agencies do not want to pay for unemployment benefits which teachers and education staff deserve since we work for these hours and benefits. While I am employed but unemployed, I would need to find temporary work for 2 months which is not worth the investment for companies to hire people for a month or two. The issues is with schools districts and the actually unemployment office with he eligibility requirements.
