MANATEE COUNTY (WSNN) – With one week under its belt, Manatee County Schools is hearing from some teachers who charge perception is hardly reality.
We reached out to several Manatee teachers. Many simply will not go on the record out of fear and personal concern. But, three high school educators agreed to talk to SNN. Two agreed, if we disguised their voices. Another, agreeing to written quotes. We’re not using real names, either.
Let’s call our first teacher, Anne.
“I think the public and parents are under the impression that things are not what they are,” Anne said.
Collectively, our Manatee educators describe a planned, picture-perfect system of masks and social distance guidelines. Instead, masks are under noses, students hugging each other.
Then, there is safe distancing… or, not.
“And wait, you guys are saying you don’t have enough room for all the kids with the social distancing and the desks?” SNN reporter, Annette Gutierrez, asked.
“(Saracastic chuckle) No, no, no. They’re crammed in the classrooms,” Anne and Karen said.
Our educators report they face as many as 40 kids in classrooms maybe 770 square feet.
I did the math. That’s a box about four feet square, clearly less than the recommended six feet of separation.
Our teachers claim class sizes are larger than in the past.
“The classes are larger than pre-COVID,” Billie said.
“I’m sitting with more students in a classroom than I have taught, in easily the last 10 to 15 years,” Anne said.
The reason? Fewer teachers, as some are quitting and budgets are tight.
And while parents and students get to choose learning option that works best for them; in-person, virtual, or hybrid, some teachers juggle all three all day. Karen and Mindy agree it’s taking a toll.
“Teachers are having panic attacks because of the stuff that they are piling on top of us.”
And teachers are working around the clock as students work at different times throughout the day.
“It’s non-stop, but I have to set times this time,” Billie said. “Being a teacher, I guarantee by next week, I’ll be answering somebody that texts me after five because I love the kids and I don’t want to leave them hanging.”
She added, school simply started too soon.
“It was a slap in the face, we’re not medical people,” Billie said.
“You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your well-being and your life potentially to put the economy back on track,” Karen said. “We all want to be in school, that’s the job that we chose.”
There are very clearly several sides to this story. Next week, we’ll get with Manatee County Schools to get their perspective.
