Teachers Across the Country Adapt to Working During the Pandemic
Teaching, an already stressful occupation, has gotten more difficult as classrooms fill up with students for the fall semester.
- By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
- Oct 12, 2020
Teachers in states like Massachusetts and Georgia have taken action against their school districts for improper safety protocols relating to COVID-19, while other teachers in a Utah school district are set to receive a bonus for working during the pandemic.
The Boston Teachers Union in Massachusetts announced on October 8 that they will seek an injunction against Boston Public Schools for requiring teachers to work in person, according to WBUR. The teachers claim that the requirement to work in person violates an agreement to transition to remote learning if coronavirus positivity rates go over 4%. On October 7, 4.1% of Boston’s coronavirus tests were positive.
An anonymous teacher in Paulding County, Georgia is suing the state and the Georgia Association of Educators for exposing staff and students to coronavirus, reports The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The teacher is suing for legal costs, but no money damages.
In Utah’s Granite School District, it was announced on October 8 that teachers will receive what the district is calling a “COVID bonus” for working in the midst of the pandemic. This bonus comes about after teachers in the district reported exhaustion from working under the current circumstances.
About the Author
Nikki Johnson-Bolden is an Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety.