New Mexico Governor Asks National Guard Troops to Substitute for Omicron-Infected Teachers at Schools
New Mexico is the first state in the nation to ask National Guard troops to serve as substitute teachers at public schools as districts struggle to keep classrooms open amid the Omicron wave. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) announced the unprecedented request on Wednesday (Jan. 19).
State public education officials say volunteers from the National Guard can qualify for substitute teaching with as little as two hours of training and a two-step background check.
It will be up to school districts to decide whether military personnel appear in uniform or not.
Several police officers are now serving as substitutes in classrooms at Moore Public Schools to help with the teacher shortage in Oklahoma amid the Omicron wave.
On Tuesday (Jan. 18), the Moore Police Department posted the following on Facebook: “This week, several on-duty officers are serving in the classroom as schools continue to face teacher and staff shortages. Today, officers Stromski and Lewis covered 6th grade classes at Apple Creek Elementary. Additional officers are serving Houchin and Broadmoore. We are thankful to be able to assist our community during these difficult times.”
The public, however, was not happy to hear it, as one can see from the thousands of angry comments on the post.