Teachers?

Dani816

Hi,

 

Are any of you ladies non-tenured teachers? I've been posting on a few boards, trying to get information about this. What has your experience been with maternity leave? Did you feel nervous taking the time off before tenure? Did the time you took affect your standing? (Did you have to wait longer for the tenure to go through?)Then, how was it when you returned to the classroom?

My husband and I were planning to wait until this summer to start TTC. That way, I'd (hopefully) have tenure before the baby is born. but now we're feeling that we might be ready sooner. I love my job, but, after prioritizing work and school for so long  (I have 2 advanced degrees, and this is my second year teaching), i'm dying to just make a decision because it feels right! I'm sick of planning everything around the school year.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Dani

BNBB08

Not a teacher yet (in school for certification) but my best friend is a non-tenured teacher and she told me that in her district, the other non-tenured teachers that go on maternity leave keep their standing.  In fact, she has been bumped from a job because a teacher came back from maternity leave who had only a little more seniority than her.  From what I hear from her, they are pretty protected.  Are there any teachers in that situation where you work that you can trust with your questions?

sucrets4

I haven't experienced this, but my old school district's contract is very clearly laid out - at the end of your 3rd year (if you haven't been tenured at another school), you are eligible for tenure.  I can't imagine that taking some time off would affect that.

Qmommy

I don't have tenure and I'll be taking the last part of this year off.  My due date is May 31st.  I'm not worried about it at all.  If you want a summer baby... get busy now... you can have an August 2010 baby if you're ready.     As far a maternity leave goes, they take your saved up sick days before you go on disability.  They can't deny you that.  In order for the school year to count and help you move up the pay / security scale you have to work a minimum of 70% of the school year.  Other than that you'll be fine.

Dani816

Thank you for your replies! I'd love to just start trying now. but then i get nervous about work- like, if i had a baby in august and wasn't around in september and october, my students wouldn't even know me when i came back! then again, in the grand scheme of things, i guess that's not the end of the world.

Double B

I'm a teacher in Arizona and a law was just passed that gives no priority to teachers with tenure or seniority. After huge budget cuts last year, most first and second year teachers were laid off. If that were to happen again, it could be anybody. Kind of scary! I waited to get tenured (this is my fifth year) to TTC. I guess that thought is out the window!

It is scary, but really, it should not be a problem. Your life should not revolve around the school year. (As a teacher, I know it's hard not to do that though...)

Double B

I'm due in July! This is exactly what will happen for me (mat. leave Aug./Sept./Oct.), but then again, think about the whole grand scheme of life. Will it really matter 20 years from now?

Dani816

wow, yeah, that is an interesting way to look at it. i never even thought about the fact that tenure itself isn't a guarantee. and yeah, with budget cuts and a department full of 20 and 30 something married women, who knows what next year will look like.

Sarah_Fay

I teach elementary school and received my tenure last year. ?In my district you can take up to four months leave of absence with no penalty. ?Evaluations start back up after the teacher returns and it may take one extra year to receive tenure, but there is no penalty. ?If you plan on taking multiple years off, I believe you would have to start back with your first year of evaluations. ?Contact your state's department of education. ?They can tell you exacts. ?Best of luck. ?I say if you are ready for a baby.... START!!!! ?Everything else will fall in place.

JaimeG106

I am a teacher and this is my 2nd full contracted year with the district.  I am due June 3rd and will just be using sick time leave to take off the last two weeks.  I know of others who have had babies and have experience no penalty.