There aren't enough substitute teachers in Fairfield to cover all classes

WSHU | By Leah Chiappino

Published October 4, 2021 at 6:52 AM EDT

Fairfield, Connecticut, schools had to cancel some classes this week due to a shortage of substitute teachers.

The district’s personnel director said many older retirees, who usually fill in for teachers, are hesitant to come in due to COVID-19.

The state also reinstated requirements that substitutes to have a bachelor’s degree, which they waived last school year during the pandemic.

Some teachers are losing their period to prepare to cover for other classes. Other times, paraprofessionals step in to help. Elementary school classes have even been pooled together under a single teacher.

The district is in the process of hiring additional staff.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

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