El Paso teachers are concerned about safety when returning to in-person education. | Stock photo
El Paso teachers are voicing their concerns about returning to classrooms this fall amid COVID-19.
”People are scared; they don't know what to expect,” Ysleta Teachers Association President Arlinda Valencia told El Paso Times. “There's so many unanswered questions and ... we've got to make sure that everyone feels safe when they are teaching or learning.”
The Yselta Teachers Association, which represents employees of Ysleta Independent School District, reported some teachers have expressed retiring or taking a leave of absence due to fears of the coronavirus.
“We are in uncharted waters and everyone is worried about everything,” Valencia told El Paso Times.
The American Federation of Teachers’ El Paso chapter, which represents employees of El Paso Independent School District, surveyed a quarter of its members regarding the upcoming school year and found more than half said they wouldn’t return to their school if they deem it unsafe.
“[Employees] need to have their voice heard because in the long-run, it's their lives, their families' lives and their students' lives that are literally on the line,” El Paso AFT President Ross Moore told El Paso Times.
Among concerns from teachers that took part in the El Paso AFT survey were difficulty breathing when wearing a face mask in the hot weather and the potential of sick children attending school if families don’t have someone to care for them.
Presidents from both unions are sharing the thoughts of teachers with their corresponding school districts and are also advocating for the districts to implement safety measures if the schools reopen, El Paso Times reported. Moore and Valencia believe cleaning and sanitizing schools must be prioritized, as well as providing employees with personal protective equipment including gloves and face masks or shields.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, there have been more than 83,000 cases of the coronavirus reported in the state with more than 3,600 cases occurring in El Paso County.
Alerts Sign-up