Receiving Docked Pay Reimbursement
by Molly Biffle, an impacted teacher
Receiving a Docked Pay Reimbursement Grant
I was privileged to receive a five-hundred-dollar reimbursement from Parents for Public Education. This generous gift was not only a financial relief but also a validation of the challenges that teachers face, especially those who are also parents. Last year, I used all of my allotted leave days to take care of my children when they were sick. As a result, I was docked pay, which placed an additional financial strain on my family. Receiving this grant was an incredible blessing, as it helped to offset some of that loss.
As a mother of three young children, my family frequently deals with the common illnesses that circulate in schools and daycare centers. Last year, my twins were in kindergarten, and my youngest child, who was only one year old at the time, was in daycare. Anyone who has children knows that young kids often catch every little bug going around, and our family was no exception.
Despite our best efforts to stay healthy, some illnesses are simply unavoidable.
The Struggle to Balance Parenting and Teaching
When one of my children got sick, my husband and I did our best to split responsibilities. We took turns staying home so that neither of us would have to bear the entire burden of missed workdays. However, with three children in different school settings, sicknesses seemed to come in waves. Just when one child was getting better, another would fall ill. This cycle drained my available sick days far more quickly than I had anticipated.
At times, I considered reaching out to my children’s grandparents for help. However, I was concerned about exposing them to illnesses that could potentially make them sick as well. Given that older individuals are often more vulnerable to severe cases of common illnesses, I didn’t feel comfortable putting them at risk. Ultimately, I knew that my children needed their mother when they were sick, and that responsibility fell on me.
One of the most frustrating aspects of this situation as a teacher is that when we run out of paid leave days, we are still responsible for our students.
Many people outside of the education field may not realize the extra effort teachers must put in when they have to be absent. Being sick or staying home to care for a child doesn’t mean that a teacher’s job stops. We still have to ensure that our students receive proper instruction, even when we are not physically present in the classroom.
Teachers are often expected to prepare detailed lesson plans for substitute teachers, ensuring that the day runs as smoothly as possible. Many teachers wake up extra early to go into school and get everything set up before heading back home to care for their children. Others spend hours in the evening preparing assignments, organizing materials, and leaving instructions so that their students do not fall behind. Despite this additional workload often equaling an entire workday, teachers are still docked pay for each day they are absent once their allotted leave days run out. In other words, we are not compensated for the work we continue to do while ensuring our students remain on track.
Relief in a Difficult Situation
This is why the grant from Parents for Public Education has meant so much to me. Beyond the financial support, it has been an incredible gesture of acknowledgment—recognition that teachers often sacrifice not just time and energy but also income in order to balance their roles as both educators and parents. The grant has helped alleviate some of the financial burden I faced after losing pay for taking care of my children.
I am incredibly grateful to Parents for Public Education for supporting teachers in this way. Their generosity provides some relief for educators who are forced to make difficult choices between their careers and their families.
Teaching is a demanding profession, and when teachers feel valued and supported, it makes a meaningful difference.
This grant has reinforced my belief that even small gestures of support can go a long way in helping teachers continue to do what they love—educating and shaping the next generation—without the added stress of financial hardship when unexpected challenges arise.
Molly Biffle, Teacher
Mollie is a mother, wife, and educator whose family was able to receive a docked pay reimbursement after struggling through caring for their children through multiple illnesses throughout the school year.
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