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Classroom aide asks Natomas Unified for earlier training for substitutes and new hires
Summary
Marissa Lau, an IA-3 at Heron Elementary with about 12 years in the district, thanked the district for filling classrooms on day one but urged that new hires and substitutes receive training before starting, saying untrained staff can 'freeze' and create safety and operational issues.
During the public-comment portion, Marissa Lau, an IA-3 at Heron Elementary, thanked the district for ensuring classrooms were staffed on the first day of school but urged improved pre-start training for new staff and substitutes. She said that some new staffers lack experience and 'freeze' in classroom situations, creating risks and putting additional burden on trained staff.
"We've already had injuries on the first couple of days of school... we're the only ones that are trained in the classroom, and we have people that don't know what to do," Lau said, adding she is willing to help orient new staff but that "I'm not paid to train" and cannot take that on in addition to her regular duties. Trustees thanked Lau for her comments and staff later described temporary coverage measures for classroom vacancies, including independent contractors and long-term substitutes while recruitment continues.
The remarks underline an operational issue raised both by staff and in the NTA communication earlier in the meeting — the need for consistent onboarding and training to avoid classroom safety and instruction disruptions.
