Teacher Troubles At Spencer Elementary Cause Concerns

Teacher troubles in the state's largest school district have one grandmother calling for action.

She said her grandson is in a class with more than 40 students. This was after his teacher at Spencer Elementary went on holiday break and didn't come back.

After Beverly Adair heard her grandson was in a class with 42 other students she said she made an appointment this past Friday to go see this for herself.

As you would expect, she was surprised at what she saw.

“If in three years, you have teachers to leave in the middle of the school year, it's something mighty wrong,” said Robert Sutton's grandmother, Beverly Adair.

And Beverley Adair said this was the second time her grandson has had a teacher quit in the middle of the school year.

“Just up and quit. Now I don't know why,” said Adair. “She said she wouldn't see them after Christmas, and she was gone.”

Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) said it knew about the resignation and has been working on a replacement for more than a week. In fact, we're told teaching the fourth graders at Spencer Elementary has become a team effort.

“We've had a teacher, another fourth grade teacher that's been helping out, an assistant, the principal has even at times taught the class when necessary,” said OKCPS spokesperson, Tierney Tinnin.

Beverly said her 9-year-old grandson, Robert Sutton, managed to pass his standardized test last year, despite that teacher also leaving mid-year.

“I feel like the board should already know there is a problem over there,” said Adair. “And I don't need to [go to the board]. We did that last year, we went to the board,” said Adair.

For a second year in a row, Beverly said her grandson is without a teacher.

“We don't want to respond too quickly,” said Tinnin. “We want to make sure we get the right person in the classroom that's going to be able to affect the lives of those kids in the best way possible.”

“It's very, very aggravating,” said Adair.

OKCPS said it has found a qualified teacher to fill that spot at Spencer Elementary. News 9 was told the person has committed and is scheduled to start Wednesday.