Paternity Leave During a Pandemic
In a time where teachers struggle to separate family and work life, three staff members take paternity leave
By Abigail Shlimenzon
In a time where teachers struggle to separate family and work life, three staff members take paternity leave
By Abigail Shlimenzon
Although society often sees the importance of maternity leave for working mothers, paternity leave and its benefits for families is often overlooked.
However, Pioneer currently has three staff members out at the same time bonding with their new children. English teacher Ryan Alpers, math and robotics teacher Cody King, and Assistant Principal of Instruction Brendan Simon, are all out right now, spending time with their new family members. Simon is taking his leave from Nov. 6, returning in Jan. 20, 2021. He expressed the importance of taking time off work to spend time with his daughter who was born at the beginning of this year. “I tend to get consumed with work, especially this past year with all the logistics that went into online learning and planning the school year,” Simon said. “This is why it is really important to spend this time with her because I haven't been able to dedicate 100% of my energy into just being a dad.” Simon was hesitant at first to step away from school but other staff members were willing to help out and fill in his position and role while he was away. “The counselors are fielding many of the academic questions from students and parents, our registrar is assisting with grades and transcripts, and our admin team is handling any other issues that arise,” Simon said. While staff and co-workers are able to step up and help cover Simon’s job, teachers are working with substitutes and creating lesson plans that will help students stay on track while they are on leave. |
King and Alpers were able to create lesson plans that substitutes could easily understand and help students with while they focus on spending time with family.
At first, King faced some difficulties as his daughter was born earlier than expected, but he was still able to spend time with his family once lesson plans were set up and a long term substitute teacher was found.
“I didn't have a substitute that could help them if they had questions and I couldn't always respond to them right away by email,” King said. “Also, the baby was born four weeks early and I hadn't finished all of my planning, so I still had to do a lot of work while I was on leave.”
Alpers elected to only take one day off a week instead of weeks off at a time like he did when his first child was born. By having a substitute teacher fill in on Thursdays, he can pace his classes and ensure that students are able to complete their work.
“I am only out one day a week, so I am able to get them going with the assignments that they need to complete by the end of the week, and then check in with them on Friday before the assignments are due,” Alpers said.
Despite the challenge of having a substitute once a week, the lesson plans have been easy to follow and students are able to stay on the right track. Yael Braslavski, 11, one of Alper’s students, has found the switch to having a substitute teacher very straightforward.
“It has not been harder for me to learn with a substitute because I find it very beneficial to have a day to work independently,” Braslavski said. “Both the sub and the teacher have been helpful in different ways.”
While it has been a difficult obstacle for teachers to overcome by leaving their students while on paternity leave, it has given staff members time to connect with their family and kids more and enjoy some time off.
“This parental leave is very much needed.” Simon said. “I will spend the next few months just being a dad and I am happy with that.”
At first, King faced some difficulties as his daughter was born earlier than expected, but he was still able to spend time with his family once lesson plans were set up and a long term substitute teacher was found.
“I didn't have a substitute that could help them if they had questions and I couldn't always respond to them right away by email,” King said. “Also, the baby was born four weeks early and I hadn't finished all of my planning, so I still had to do a lot of work while I was on leave.”
Alpers elected to only take one day off a week instead of weeks off at a time like he did when his first child was born. By having a substitute teacher fill in on Thursdays, he can pace his classes and ensure that students are able to complete their work.
“I am only out one day a week, so I am able to get them going with the assignments that they need to complete by the end of the week, and then check in with them on Friday before the assignments are due,” Alpers said.
Despite the challenge of having a substitute once a week, the lesson plans have been easy to follow and students are able to stay on the right track. Yael Braslavski, 11, one of Alper’s students, has found the switch to having a substitute teacher very straightforward.
“It has not been harder for me to learn with a substitute because I find it very beneficial to have a day to work independently,” Braslavski said. “Both the sub and the teacher have been helpful in different ways.”
While it has been a difficult obstacle for teachers to overcome by leaving their students while on paternity leave, it has given staff members time to connect with their family and kids more and enjoy some time off.
“This parental leave is very much needed.” Simon said. “I will spend the next few months just being a dad and I am happy with that.”