Would you be concerned?

I just want to preface this to say this is my first and only child. I also obviously don't have all the details yet, and it could just be rumors.....so with that said....here goes:

So DS had a sub this week. I didn't think anything of it at all. He didn't even initially tell me, I figured it out on Tues or Wed.

Anyway....I just got back from a small bday party which was mostly the kids in his class. When I got there, the mother greeted me and asked if I had heard the news about his teacher....she apparently is friendly with someone else who works in the school who told her the teacher had a heart attack.



First off, I feel awful if this is the case....she is really young...in her 40s with kids of her own.

Second, I am guessing the school probably doesn't know much which is why nothing has been said yet to parents.

BUT, I am obviously concerned about what happens next if this is the case.

Do you think it's appropriate to reach out to the principal next week?

My mom is a retired elementary teacher and she said I should and say "I know this is just a rumor, but....."

Have any of you gone through something similar?

Are leave replacements generally as good?

I really liked his teacher and am bummed in general if this ends up being true.

Would you be concerned?

Honestly I wouldn't say anything. Your son is a young grade and not testing yet so they are really not missing out on crucial review time. I have had leave replacements and few times due to pregnancy and usually the leave replacements are teachers that have been let go from their districts or our own district due to budget cuts. Leave replacements still have to go through an interview process so they are not just "sticking" someone in the class. If it was high school or an upper grade I might be concerned but your not, so it should be fine.

Would you be concerned?

The school cannot confirm if the teacher had a heart attack, so I wouldn't say anything. Leave replacements are certified teachers so I wouldn't think twice about it if that happened.

Re: Would you be concerned?

Would you be concerned?

I'm currently covering my fourth leave in five years. I'm a permanent sub, and I'm assigned to one building, which is great because I get to know all of the classes and generally know each teacher's general classroom routine/management. Permanent subs in my district are usually the ones given the leaves (and we all have to be certified, and 95% of us have masters degrees). I approach every leave as needing to keep the routine of the class and making as seamless a transition as possible for the kids. So I wouldn't anticipate someone just going in there and turning everything upside down.

They will usually send a letter home if it's for the long term.

Message edited 10/11/2014 9:18:02 PM.

Re: Would you be concerned?

So sorry for this young teacher!

I know your heart is in the right place and you are concerned but the school will not tell you anything except that the teacher is out. If they know when she plans to return they will tell you that but most likely they don't have that information at this point. Last year a related service teacher was out for a few months due to illness and her condition was not discussed with parents. It never is. It's up to the teacher to share if she wants to.

You could call and inquire about the sub and ask to meet her if you are concerned who is teaching your DC. I would want to know if it turned into a long term thing.

I hope she recovers very quickly.

Message edited 10/11/2014 6:58:48 PM.

Re: Would you be concerned?

Re: Would you be concerned?

I would be worried as a parent, but there's nothing you can do about it. I wouldn't go to the principal because it will paint you as a gossiping parent and you don't need that. There's nothing you can do about it so you just need to ride the wave. I am a teacher that went out on maternity leave twice, and both times my leave replacements were phenomenal. So try not to worry (but you will) and cross your fingers that all will be well. Hopefully his teacher comes back soon. It will be ok.

Re: Would you be concerned?

Thanks ladies.

I don't think I'm going to say anything yet.

It is what it is.

I really hope that she is okay.

Re: Would you be concerned?

I agree that you shouldn't say anything & given HIPAA laws, I'm sure the school wouldn't be saying anything outside of that she'll be back or won't be back.

Re: Would you be concerned?

I would wait and see. It amazes me the way rumors fly. There might be some truth to it.

My DD's teacher went out on a long leave last year. Her husband was nearly killed in a construction accident. The school sent a letter home pretty quickly letting us know what happened. They put a teacher in there who'd covered the regular teacher's two maternity leaves. All in all DD still had a great year. I was always happy DD was in inclusion classes but last year I was especially glad because the special ed teacher and aide were still there and that helped both the leave and the regular teacher with the transitions.

Message edited 10/12/2014 7:55:55 PM.

Re: Would you be concerned?

I actually did send a quick email to the principal on Thursday to just let him know we were thinking of her and wish her a speedy recovery.

I told him I didn't expect him to give me info about the situation.

He responded and said he had forwarded my email to the teacher and she was very happy to hear.

I also realized through the school website that his sub is a permanent hire through the building so I feel better about that.

I was talking to another mom this morning who told me that she knows this teacher has had some other serious health issues in the past and is very well loved by all who know her.

I'm glad I did decide to reach out although I originally was not going to.