Teachers 'look out for each other' by donating sick days
| Monday, Mar 15 2010 06:02 PM
Last Updated Monday, Mar 15 2010 06:02 PM
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Lending a helping hand to Williams Elementary teacher Tiffane Llamas, front left, when she needed extra sick days after a surgery were fellow teachers Norma Garcia, center, Rose Foley, right, Julie Johnson, back left, Patricia Parsons, back center, and Andrea Owens, back right, all who donated some of their own sick time.
During winter break, Tracy Aragon found out she had breast cancer that had spread to her liver. The fifth-grade teacher immediately started chemotherapy.
Aragon had no idea how long she would be out or if she had enough sick days to get her through time away from class.
"I knew I couldn't immediately go back to class," Aragon, who teaches at Voorhies Elementary, said. "That chemo wears on you."
Word spread quickly about the teacher's illness. In a common act of kindness throughout the Bakersfield City School District, 75 days have been donated to Aragon from 31 employees at seven different campuses, including at some Aragon has never worked at.
So far, Aragon has used just more than 30.
"There's nothing I wouldn't do for her. She's my girl," said Amy Berry, a teacher at Fremont Elementary who spearheaded the donation drive. "It's important for us teachers to look out for each other. I hope we're not the only ones that would do it."
They're not. In BCSD alone, teachers have donated 310 sick days this school year, according to the district.
Donating helps teachers "in their greatest time of need," said Brad Barnes, president of Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association. Teachers on average make between $300 to $400 a day.
"It's a generous gift," Barnes said. "It's teachers helping teachers. They can help each other get by."
Donations are possible under an agreement between the teacher's unions and school districts. Requests are made in writing and approved by administrators and the school board. Teachers said they are thankful the district allows the donations.
"It's a great program," said BCSD spokesman Steve Gabbitas. "That's why we allow it."
Medical-related issues are usually behind requests. Some have given birth, some have been diagnosed with cancer or other diseases, some have been in accidents.
Teachers start the year with 11 sick days, which can roll over year after year. Supplemental insurance is available, and most buy it, Barnes said. After teachers use up all their sick days they still get paid -- but the cost of the substitute teacher is deducted from their check.
An insurance company clerical error left Williams Elementary School's Tiffane Llamas without that insurance, she said. She found out she needed emergency surgery on a blood-filled cyst recently.
She wanted to wait until summer to get it removed, she said, but couldn't bear the pain. Worst-case scenario: the cyst could have ruptured, bled out and killed her.
She had surgery last month, with few sick days available to get her through it. Six of her colleagues decided to help.
"I was extremely stressed about the money, but they helped me a lot," Llamas said. "The less stress, the easier it is to heal. I don't even know how to thank them."
On Monday, Llamas visited those teachers, who she called her "family." Andrea Owens, a 22-year veteran with the district, said she's donated more than a dozen days to teachers in need.
"I'm happy to help," said Owens, who's retiring this year. "I just thank God I've never needed them."
Llamas is now recovering and hopes to get back in the classroom soon, she said.
As for Aragon, she hopes to return to work after spring break in April. Berry is coordinating sick day donations for her. They are given one at a time because once a teacher gives a day, it's lost and can't be returned.
In addition, teachers have started a Relay For Life team in honor of Aragon. At Voorhies, employees started a penny drive and are wearing pink to school every Thursday to support her, said Jodi Gonzales, school secretary.
Aragon said she's grateful.
"It's just been wonderful."
