Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1449741
remember? Now, if a student shows up with a runny nose, I have to send them to the office, and then they are sent home. Our district has been trying to help. They pay for testing. We put our rapid tests in a bucket, and they pick it up twice a week. They have also taken away some of our professional learning communities and staff meetings. Unfortunately, it doesn't feel like it's enough. The continued loss of prep really affects your planning, which in turn affects your teaching. We have people who come to our school board meetings who are not from the area. They say that our school board members are "possessed by the devil" because they are requiring that students wear masks. At meetings they pray for the board members to lift the mask mandate. It's surreal. We have many new members at our site. As an executive board member, I feel I should be reaching out and helping them more. But it's hard to help others when you feel so overwhelmed yourself. Students ask, "What will we do if we get sick — or Mom and Dad get sick?" I reas- sure them that there are doctors and medicine that will help. Last week, there were only eight kids in the classroom, and there are normally 24. This week, some of the kids are coming back. Everybody 's doing everything they can to keep their hands washed and their masks on. Teachers are wearing KN95 masks. I was motivated to sub because I missed being in the classroom and being around ele- mentary school children. There is such a shortage of subs that it's unbelievable, and I'm glad to be helping. Schools are grateful for subs willing to take on the challenge right now and fill in during this state of emergency. Everybody is worried that there might be a new variant. Teachers are worried, but they are doing everything they can. Despite COVID, they are making sure students are getting a top-notch education. It's not easy, but they are doing a great job. David A. Sanchez S U B S T I T U T E I N T E RV E N T I O N T E AC H E R Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Palm Desert Retired CTA president "Who knew I was going to become a contact tracer?" Eytchison in class. "Despite COVID, teachers are making sure students are getting a top-notch education." 21 F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 2 2