In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, New York City teachers and school staff have a big decision to make over the next couple days: get a shot or lose their jobs as the vaccine mandate goes into effect Monday.

City officials say 10,000 teachers and staffers are not vaccinated. It amounts to 13% of the entire Department of Education -- a total of 87% are vaccinated.

Mayor Bill de Blasio says that 90% of New York City's teachers have received COVID-19 shots, so the majority of the workforce has received a vaccine.

One vaccinated Hudson Valley resident who teaches in the city didn't want to talk on camera out of fear of backlash, but shared a statement with News 12.

They say in part, "Since my students are not old enough to receive the vaccine, I wanted to make sure I kept myself and my family safe while keeping my students and their families safe as well. I made a personal choice and feel my colleagues should have that ability as well."

Rachel Maniscalco, a teacher from Staten Island, says she and thousands of her unvaccinated colleagues would rather lose their jobs than be forced to get a shot.

"There will be thousands of us put on unpaid leave as of Monday, and much like the nurses...and I tend to follow what is happening with them and I think it's alarming that nurses, medical professionals would walk away from their jobs, their careers instead of taking this vaccine," she says.

Maniscalco says New York City should bring the testing option back for staff who do not want to be vaccinated, just like many other employers are allowing.