The School Districts of New Mexico found a solution to the worsening teacher shortage in their district: they called the National Guard Members to serve as substitute teachers.
Around 78 New Mexico National Guard members started working as substitute teachers as of this week. The move was a response to the request of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham as part of the program, "Supporting Teachers and Families Initiative," or STAF. The Governor also called for state employees to volunteer in the program to address the acute shortage of teachers exacerbated by the latest omicron wave of COVID-19.
Problems on shortage of teachers
According to James Elementary School Principal Shayne Lopez, the pandemic posed a struggle in finding substitutes. "There were days that we were short as many as five substitutes just in this one building," says Lopez.
Micol Ruvalcaba, a first-grade teacher said that she had her class last week by a National Guard. "It is a relief, and it does make me feel better because I know what it is like to have extra students in my class," she said.
According to the teachers, if there are no National Guards, students have to be moved around for the day. Teachers would also need to combine classes to accommodate students.
Portales Municipal School District is grateful that they were granted three national guards, although the school requested ten. They were initially skeptical if their request would be granted as they are located in a very rural area. He said they are more than glad that they were given three.
NPR reports that keeping the school open has become a daunting task as more teachers quit or retire, overwhelmed with the demands and challenges of remote learning and in dealing with students affected by grief, hardship, or loneliness.
Positive reaction from the community
So far, Lopez said that they got positive reactions from the community. Ruvalcaba says that her students have a Guard assisting in their class.
"He came in, in uniform, and they (students) were excited, of course. I was grateful that there was somebody here, and my kids wouldn't have to be dispersed," says Ruvalcaba.
The guards are meant to maintain face-to-face learning in the classroom instead of virtual learning.
Specialist Austin Alt, a National Guard and a substitute teacher at Pojoaque Valley Middle School and northern New Mexico, admits that he has no teaching experience. He said he volunteered because he saw how his younger brother struggled with remote learning.
"The online stuff just doesn't get to them correctly," Alt said.
He admits that he was anxious and felt he was not fully prepared. He only had a few hours of training and a background check. But, on his second day, he said that the students were kind.
The students also said they liked Alt. The students think they do not have a problem with National Guard substituting for their teachers as long as the school stays open.
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