Substitute teachers are in short supply. However, the county office has been very helpful in their willingness to provide support to the high school. There haven't been any situations where a class wasn’t covered.
Some Watauga High teachers have been quarantined after testing positive for COVID or coming in close contact with someone who has tested positive. The high school follows the same procedure regardless of the situation. The teacher can choose to teach remotely or send in sub plans. Although the teacher may be quarantined, school continues for the students. Students will remain seated in their classroom and have schoolwork to complete.
“We actually have a really awesome student teacher who was basically our sub the whole time,” said junior Moriah Bollman. Bollman’s teacher was quarantined early-on in the school year, but the class's student teacher was able to step in and substitute.
“It was kind of like nothing was different,” said Bollman.
To some students, class doesn’t feel the same without their teacher. According to sophomore Ayden Knight, “it just isn’t as organized” when the teacher is quarantined.
Thankfully the numbers are low and very few teachers have been required to quarantine. Watauga has been following COVID procedures and is prepared to take action when needed. When a teacher tests positive, in some cases, students may also be required to quarantine.
“If the student was considered a close contact to the teacher and was not vaccinated or did not have antibodies, then yes, the student would also have to quarantine. Thus far, there have been very few cases of in-school transmission due to masking protocols and vaccinations,” said Tierra Stark, Assistant Principal at Watauga High School.
There have only been seven positive cases among Watauga High School teaching staff. Thirteen teachers have been considered close contact, but only two have had to quarantine. If the students aren’t considered close contact, they should still come to school and go to their classes like normal. When a teacher is quarantined they are able to teach remotely through lectures via Google Meets or by uploading online assignments.
“Obviously we'll put an adult in the room, whether it be a sub or someone from the building, and the teacher’s teaching remotely,” said Stark.
If the teacher is too sick to teach remotely, they have the option to send out plans for a substitute teacher. However, this can bring up additional problems.
“We are having a shortage of subs and it's not that we have that many teachers out, and we do have some teachers out, but really the problem is we don't have enough substitutes out there to cover even our small amount of needs that we have,” said Stark.
Substitutes aren't the only people in short supply. Watauga High is also facing a shortage of cafeteria workers and custodial staff. These jobs need to be filled as well, forcing counselors and other staff to help out in a variety of places. In some cases, the ISS coordinator has been called in to lend a hand.
“[Subbing] gives me the opportunity to introduce myself and get to know the student body,” said Colby Hamby, the ISS coordinator at Watauga High. “Although the circumstances for having to fill in are terrible it has definitely had a positive impact for me and I have enjoyed this experience!”
Hamby is just one example of a staff member willing to help out in places they wouldn’t usually work. She has been highly praised by the administration for her willingness to fill in wherever help is needed. Staff like Colby Hamby are greatly appreciated for helping fill in while teachers are quarantined.
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