From Student Attendance to Staff Wellness: A Conversation We Need to Have
A while back, I wrote about student attendance and its vital role in academic success. Today, I find myself on the other side of that conversation — this time as an adult, navigating what feels like the granddaddy of all sinus infections. It took me a few days just to muster the strength to look at a computer screen. While I don’t have a classroom or office waiting for me, many educators don’t have that luxury. For them, the balancing act of health and professional responsibility is constant and complex. We know student attendance is critical, but what about staff attendance? How do we support the adults in our schools who show up every day, even when they might not be feeling their best? And how do we, as administrators, navigate the very real logistical and financial challenges of covering those inevitable absences? When Staff Are Out, Everyone Feels It When a teacher calls in sick, the ripple effects are immediate. Substitutes step in — and let’s be clear — they ca...