There are a lot of things to think about when you are diagnosed with breast cancer. There are bills, doctors appointments, your family, and the future- just to name a few. Figuring out who is going to replace you at your job isn’t normally on the list of important things to take care of. When this California teacher was diagnosed with breast cancer, her school told her that she would be expected to pay for her substitute teacher and she was shocked.
“Parents were outraged and incredulous- like this can’t be.” said Amanda Fried, a parent whose daughter attends Glen Park Elementary School in San Francisco where this is all taking place. “There must be some mistake.” Fried told the San Francisco Chronicle. Fried also said that some teachers seem resigned to the policy, “the teachers have sort of shrugged- like yes, that’s how it is.” She goes on to say “That makes it even more sad, because teachers expect to be treated poorly.”
The teacher who is not being named, to protect her privacy was diagnosed with breast cancer had exhausted her sick leave, and according to a state policy, means that she is required to pay for her own substitute teacher. A sub until the end of the school year can add up to over $240 a day. According to the California Education Code, since teachers don’t pay into the state disability insurance program, therefore they cannot draw benefits from it. California teachers are instead allowed 10 sick days a year.
After the 10 days are up, they are allowed an additional 100 days of sick leave for year, however the cost of a sub comes out of their paycheck.
“So the teachers are still receiving paid sick leave during those 100 days; its just that the amount is based on the teacher’s day rate minus the cost of the substitute.” said a spokesperson for the school district. After word of this policy spread through the community, families started a GoFundMe page with a goal of $10,000 (which has since closed) to help cover the cost of her substitute teacher. Community members ended up reaching beyond their goal and raising around $13,000 that will not only cover the cost of a sub, but also help with medical copayments and deductibles, and lost income from her husband who plans on taking time of to care for her and their two teenage children, according to the Chronicle.
The GoFundMe campaign described the teacher as “a true professional who is dedicated to her craft, and whose dedication and love for her students can’t be understated.” This couldn’t have been proved more true than by the 22 handwritten and personalized letters she took the time to write to the class after her surgery. She took the time to thank each one for their support while encouraging them to continue working hard, and telling them all how much she missed them.
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