Percentage of Minn. teachers taking leave on rise

pioneer press ^ | 6-3-12 | ap

[TurboZamboni]

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Minnesota teachers have been taking medical leaves more often in recent years, and while there could be many factors for the increase, some teachers say they are using the leaves to get a break from mounting pressures and high expectations being placed on them.

A Minnesota School Boards Association survey of 85 school districts found a 27 percent increase in days that educators spent on various types of leave in 2008 compared with two years earlier. The association also said it has been receiving more questions about medical leaves, while districts have seen a spike in mental-health-related leave requests. John Sylvester, the association's deputy executive director, said that's no surprise as Minnesota teachers have faced growing class sizes, harsh public scrutiny and high expectations.

[TurboZamboni]

"having to have my work evaluated causes me so much stress I need medical leave!" further proof (if more was needed) that public union stooges don't live in the real world

[bgill]

If you’ve had to deal with the increase in unruly students in recent years, then it’s no wonder teachers need a break. If their contracts give them the days then why can’t they take them.

[EGPWS]

some teachers say they are using the leaves to get a break from mounting pressures and high expectations being placed on them.

Yeah like 17 student classrooms and a mandate to actually teach the students something.

Only in Minnesota, the state of liberal wimps who ALL suffer from a disorder of some sort.

[moovova]

Also could be because they think those goodies are going away...

[TurboZamboni]

yep.they’re going to need a lot more “mental health leave” if Walker wins in WI tommorow.

[napscoordinator]

Well to be fair, I am a wiz at my job, but the Boss coming out and standing behind me and I become a complete idiot quickly.....

[cableguymn]

Paid leave right? Use it or loose it right?

I’d burn it up too.

[TurboZamboni]

Carla Renz, a third-grade teacher at St. Paul's Heights Community School, said that after 11 years with the district, her performance came into question. She was experiencing insomnia and panic attacks last fall, and said a union representative advised medical leave."

Employees are eligible for unpaid leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and some contract provisions allow for additional leave.

[dormouse]

Bet the third grade teacher was not interested in
“unpaid leave”. As Wisconsin goes, so goes the nation.

[jmax]

They are probably taking leave to drive across the state line to vote against Walker.

[TurboZamboni]

if they did, it didn’t work very well ;)