*name changed to protect identity
It’s 7:30 in the morning on Oct. 6 when Spanish teacher Kristina Calvano walks into the building for the very first time since last school year.
Calvano had previously been on maternity leave, and a long-term substitute had been left in charge of Calvano’s classes.
Starting the academic year without an experienced teacher caused many students to fall behind their peers. It will take a lot of work for Calvano’s students to catch up if they are going to be ready for Spanish four, according to Josie Parkins*.
However, the unfortunate circumstances of a long-term substitute were not due to a poor teacher, and the students don’t blame the substitute for any gaps in their education, according to sophomore Eliza Phillips.
Despite being behind, the students are excited to start class with Calvano and feel confident in the experienced teacher’s ability to get them on track with their Spanish knowledge.
“[Calvano] made that clear the first day that she was so sorry that we had that experience falling behind, and she said that her goal was not to just teach us Spanish, but to get us on the same level of understanding for Spanish.” Josie Parkins said.
Calvano has been working hard to get the students back on track since day one.
“Now, since Ms. Calvano's back, she will go through [the vocab], say how to say it in a sentence and give us more examples on how to use the word instead of just writing it down,” Phillips said.
Having a long-term substitute has a large effect on any class and it has hit the Spanish students especially hard, according to Phillips. However, the students and Calvano alike have no doubt they will get back on track and easily catch up to the other classes.
“She keeps telling us that she'll get us caught up no matter where we are, because the sub wasn't put in the right position, and neither were we,” Phillips said.
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