By Ariana Taylor Staff Writer
For a while senior Christopher Chamblis had three of his seven hours at school where he would walk into a classroom, a substitute teacher took attendance and then he and his peers would “just talk and chill” for the rest of the hour.
Although these chilled hours were at different points in the school year, Chamblis and many other students have experienced them due to several teachers leaving the school.
“We did nothing, no grades went in, I didn’t learn any African American history for a good two to three weeks, and I had a P [for passing] in German for first card marking,” said Chamblis.
As of now, five teachers have left Renaissance during the first three months of school. Reason vary from other schools offering better pay to a teacher moving to Philadelphia.
“I understand that they have a better opportunity and have to think about their families, but I just feel like they should have waited till at least the end of the semester,” said Chamblis. “Our education and grades are affected.”
When teachers leave, administration has to go through a process of finding a new replacement. During this time, one or more substitutes are brought in. Some students have deemed this period as “absence of work” because the class would do no work. In the five cases of teachers leaving, the “absence of work” lasted for an average two weeks.
With Renaissance being the No. 1 school in the city and No. 35 in the state, it might be surprising the school is still reaching for teachers.
“This isn’t something that we want but we still have to deal with it and we’re going about in the best way to make sure these kids miss as little instruction time as possible,” said assistant principal Mr. Harris.
It’s still an adjustment for students to get used to even when a replacement is found. Some students form relations with their teachers and when one leaves, it becomes difficult and confusing for the student and the new teacher.
“It messed up our connections and grades, and I didn’t want a new teacher,” said freshman Kenneth Smith. “I like the way we learned before and the new teacher changes it, teaching in a different way.”
Some of the students became emotional as teachers announced they were leaving. Teary-eyed hugs came from every direction when English teacher Mrs. Felix-Brown revealed her departure.
“I’m really going to miss her and her class,” said senior Tyrone Edwards.
