CINCINNATI — A recent survey shows that nearly half of the teachers it polled, considered quitting because of pandemic related difficulties and burnout. 

Now, one Ohio school district is changing up its school week hoping to give teachers a break.

What You Need To Know

  • North College Hill City Schools is changing its school week next year to one day of remote learning and four weeks in person

  • It's to help teachers with attendance and burnout issues

  • Teachers say they are looking forward to the new switch

  • One parent says she's curious to see how it will turn out

Lakeisha Gentry is a first grade teacher at North College Hill Elementary. It’s a career she began 20 years ago, following in the footsteps of her grandmother.

“As soon as you see all of your hard work, effort means something and you see the kids grow, especially at the beginning of the school year to the end of the school year- that would be the reward,” said Gentry.

Despite the rewards, Gentry admits being an educator comes with its challenges. Long days and non-stop work are just some of them.

“I’m pretty content in the classroom with my students,” she said. “But I think the amount of extra work we have to do that sometimes people don’t see- lesson plans, grading tests, grading papers.”

Gentry isn’t the only teacher feeling that way. She says other are struggling as well. That’s why North College Hill City Schools is changing up its school week year. Mondays will be virtual for students with the Ohio Blended Model and the rest of the week will be in person. Superintendent Eugene Blalock Jr. said this will help solve issues for the teachers. 

“The important part about this piece about this is that Monday will be an opportunity for teachers to work together, to collaborate, to plan and use data,” said Blalock. “So when the students come in they can properly customize instruction for individuals and individual groups.”

Gentry and other teachers believes the new schedule will help them better manage their work/life balance and allow them to devote more energy to the profession.

“We’ve had this planned before during COVID when we were able to collaborate on Mondays, and grade papers and do lesson plans together on Mondays,” said Gentry. “So we’re excited to go back to that same schedule.”

On the other hand, some parents, like mother of two, Tina Adriacco, are curious to see how this new schedule will work.

“It [virtual learning during the pandemic] was a little hard at first,” said Adriacco. “But once the kids got used to it and into the grove of things they were good to go.”

Finding child care on Mondays won't be an issue for her because she’s off that day, but the school district will provide limited support for K-8 students for those parents who are in need of child care.

“I’m hoping that doesn’t interfere with their learning, but I’m excited to see how it works,” she said.

Blalock said a message was sent out to the parents about next year’s change. A survey was sent out by the school and nearly 90% of staff and nearly 70% of parents approved the plan.