Fill-in teacher recalls feeling unprepared during D11 strike

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story classified the substitute teacher as a "custodial worker." However, they are a non-educational staff member who is sometimes assigned to custodial duties, though that is not their primary role.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO13) - One-third of School District 11 teachers, those represented by the teachers' union, did not work on Wednesday to show their displeasure with last year's cancellation of their master agreement.

The district was quick to highlight that they got through the day without canceling any classes or sending kids home. But one support staff member with the district has come forward claiming it was grueling behind the scenes.

"Soon as the students got there. It was just chaos. I have no training for this. I don't know what to do," says a staff member, who has asked that we keep his identity a secret.

A few days before the strike, the district assured parents and KRDO13 that they had a plan and would be fully staffed.

The staff worker we spoke to says district workers of various backgrounds met at their assigned school and were given instructions by the principal.

"There were people for I.T., risk management, HR facilities. Everybody was there," they said.

This was confirmed by the district, but it was emphasized that everyone who worked as a substitute teacher on Wednesday had the proper qualifications to do so.

However, our tipster says he felt far from qualified given his complete lack of prior classroom experience.

"At the bottom of the packet, I think it said something about a projector, and it did not provide instructions on how to activate it. I didn't have a laptop to even stream a video through it. So completely worthless," says the support staff worker.

In a follow-up, we asked District 11 if this method of bringing in support staff to supplement classes will be used again and if there were any new updates on labor talks with the union teachers, but we did not get a response.

You can read the complete statement from the District 11 Board of Education here.

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