As the omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly across the U.S., schools that are committed to in-person learning are facing a significant challenge in finding enough substitutes to maintain their staffing levels. With nearly a million new infections reported daily, the impact is being felt in classrooms everywhere. Although early signs suggest that omicron may lead to milder illness compared to earlier variants, the overwhelming number of cases is causing serious disruptions, even among those who are fully vaccinated, as they are forced to isolate.
Educators Stepping Up
In a bid to handle the crisis, principals, superintendents, and counselors are stepping in to fill gaps left by absent teachers. For instance, in Springfield, a large number of central office staff were sent out to help teach in schools facing potential closures due to low staffing. Meanwhile, the superintendent of Denver schools, Lisa Hargrove, found herself stepping into the role of a fourth-grade teacher as the district grappled with staffing shortages. In a single day, over 500 out of 3,000 teachers in Seattle called in sick, prompting the district’s leadership to urge any staff with teaching credentials to jump in and help.
“This is by far the most difficult period I’ve faced in my two decades as an educator,” Hargrove shared during a break from her temporary teaching duties. “We’re navigating education amid a pandemic, and things seem to change every day.” Some of the larger districts, like New Orleans, Cleveland, and Philadelphia, have opted to revert to remote learning temporarily to weather the omicron storm. In Chicago, classes were canceled for an entire week amid debates between the teachers’ union and city officials over remote learning.
The Toll on Educators
For schools that are continuing with in-person classes, the disruption caused by omicron is evident. “The added stress of worrying about illness, on top of everything else from the last two years, has really taken a toll,” said Julia Thompson, president of the National Teachers Association. “It’s just become overwhelming.”
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Conclusion
In summary, the ongoing omicron surge is creating significant staffing challenges in schools across the U.S., with educators stepping in to fill roles as districts face shortages. While some are switching to remote learning, others are pushing through in-person classes, leading to a stressful environment for both teachers and students.
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