Fellow teachers, please advise... (long)

Bekkers · June 2011

Here's the background info....I am about to start my first year of teaching on my own, after my 1 year student-teaching experience. Needless to say, this is already going to be an incredibly hectic and stressful year as is. I would wait to start TTC, but I have had an IUD for the past 5 years. It comes out in September no matter what, and DH doesn't really want to wait another whole year to start trying. If I take it out in the middle of Sept as my appointment stands now and get KU within the first month (chances are slim, I know, I'm just going with the possibility because it's the best I can plan right now), that puts me at giving birth around June or July. We go back to school around here in early August.

Alternately, I can get an appointment in a week. That would put me at giving birth around March (again, assuming I can get pregnant at the drop of a hat- unlikely, but...). This seems like a great way to not get asked back for the following school year, as well as meaning that with any luck I'll be slightly pregnant during the hiring period at most schools in my area.

Sorry, this turned out way more rambling than it sounds in my head.... I guess what I'm really asking is, do I wait until Sept with the chance that it could take months and I'll give birth in the middle of the following school year if it takes forever to get KU, or do I go for it now? Oh, and there are somehow no appointments available in July, so that's not an option.

phishgirl29 · June 2011

I just started cycle 9 yesterday and have been of BC for 3 years so I would go for it now.

lowkeysbride · June 2011

Hey there! I know how you feel... I am a teacher too. I am going into my 6th year of teaching, but boy do I remember trying to get a job and that fun first year! I am trying to think along the lines that you are too. I would love to get KU this summer so I would be due at the end of next year so I would be able to just take the end of the year off and have summer too... but like so many on this board will tell you, that may not actually happen. I went off my BCP in March and last month was our first month really TTC. MH just told me that he has to go out of town too this month and it will be right when I am supposed to O... so things just don't always work out exactly as you planned. I would say go for getting it out this week and that way you can start TTC. But, really, it's just gonna happen when it happens and if you get KU, you will be so excited, it won't matter when you're due. Maybe a little inconvenient, but I try to remember that what is supposed to be, will be... I'd go for getting it out now though! Good luck girl... hope you get a great teaching job!

lbwsimpson · June 2011

A school district can't fire you for being pregnant and missing part of the school year. It's discrimination. I'm a music teacher and honestly, if I want until I have tenure or until it's "safe" to have a baby, I'll never be pregnant! You never know what's going to happen in the course of the year but know that you're protected legally if you do have a baby during the year.

One of my best friends was hired for a job in September and announced she was going on maternity leave in January. She's still working for that district so it all worked out. Just to the best work you can and whatever happens, you can still take your job back at the start of the next school year.

michaela080 · June 2011

Don't worry about your job when planning your family. They can't fire you because of that. They might because you will be low man on the totem pole and teacher cuts are bring made across the county, but that shouldn't be affected by your pregnancy. (In fact, they may be worried you would think it was because of your pregnancy if they don't ask you back, which from their perspective could result in a law suit from you, so it actually might work in your favor.) Schools are very family friendly, and teachers (the majority of which are women) are getting pregnant all the time. They will be very used to dealing with it.

SheenaNash1 · June 2011

I will echo what the other posters have said, you shouldn't stress about this and you you should start TTC when its right for you and your husband. They can't fire you or not hire you because you are pregnant. That's what maternity leave is supposed to be for! So if you do start now, and you miss the last part of the school year then take your maternity leave and all will be well.

GL!

sydsmom04 · June 2011

First of all, GOOD LUCK with the job hunting process. It will be fun and exciting in itself. I don't know what state you are from, but let me be a voice of reason. Although a disrict can not hire or fire you for being pregnant/giving birth, there are some things to think of.

1. FMLA- doesn't kick in (at least in TX) until you have worked for a year at your current job. This will give you 12 weeks of (unpaid) job security. This is great for things that are unforeseen. God forbid that something awful happens with your pregnancy and you have a baby in NICU or something along those lines. This will ensure that you have 12 weeks before they can ask you to move on.

2. Disability insurance- in my district we don't get "Maternity Leave" because of our sick/personal leave days. You should sign up for this sometime around Sept. This will be your "Maternity Leave" if you choose to enroll. It will pay 70% of your salary for 6 weeks. Being a first year teacher- I only got 10 days of leave...that wasn't near long enough to be at home with a newborn. One thing about the disability is that you cannot already be pregnant when enrolling. It would be considered a pre-exising condition.

I don't want to be Debbie Downer, but there were a lot of things that I had to find out on my own...

Good Luck!

rsrs807 · June 2011

Ditto Sydsmom - FMLA does not kick in until you have been at your job a year, unless your state has a more protective statute in place. But if you qualify (and presumably as a teacher you would) then it kicks in immediately....like there's no pre-existing clause....so you can work somewhere 3 months, get pregnant, and then use FMLA after 366 days at that job. Like Sydsmom said though, you cannot get on STD if you are already pregnant (well most policies that I have seen, obviously there may be exceptions.) These are key things to keep in mind.

That said - good luck, I hope you find a job soon and the timing works out well for you!

melissa721 · June 2011

There is always going to be the chance your pregnancy is not timed well with the school year. Unfortunately that's the chance you take TTC while you are non tenured. I think if you are okay with the idea of not being asked back after only one year of teaching, then go for it now. Why wait? The risk is still the same.

michaela080 · June 2011

Oh, tenure. You don't exist in my state anymore after 2013.

TrendyTina · June 2011

I would go for it now. Your family is more important and your baby will benefit from more time with you at home. I'm returning to the classroom next year and will hopefully be giving birth in March. You won't be the only teacher that year giving birth, so I wouldn't worry about it. Also, they can't discriminate against you for having a baby. Just be open and honest with your principal and everything will be fine. GL!

Bekkers · June 2011

Thank you so much, ladies! You are really making me feel better. Of course, TTC will be nerve-wracking any time, and I have no idea how long it will take, but you're right. I won't get fired just for that, I won't be the only one, and schools are family-friendly places to work. Also, thanks for the hints about insurance. Fortunately, I'm on DH's insurance already, so that helps some, but I'll keep that in mind about pre-existing conditions. I appreciate the support!

mcromer · June 2011

I'm in the same boat (kind of). Next year is my tenure year and I do not want to take off in the middle of it...BUT I also don't want to wait and assume that I will KU right away. Really started trying last cycle and nothing happened so I'd say start now because it's not that simple. GL!

tf0526 · June 2011

that is a bit tricky.

The FMLA piece would be a big factor for me. In my district teachers aren't given a reason for dismissal in their first 2 years pre-tenure (principals are actually not allowed to give them a reason per our contract) Our principal has definitely gotten rid of teachers for reasons that nobody could figure out, she has also kept teachers that other staff members thought should be let go. Honestly getting pregnant could hurt your chances of being rehired. Realistically, I'd make sure you are financially prepared just in case. That being said, a good principal and a good school will work with you if they think you are a good teacher and in it for the long haul. If they think you are just working for a little bit and then going to leave, they might not want to make the investment in training you. Technically they can't discriminate, but with so many teachers looking for work, they can pick some other excuse as to why a different person is a stronger candidate. This doesn't mean to not start TTC, especially since you don't know how long it will take to get pregnant, but just to be prepared in case you do end up unemployed for whatever reason (budget cuts are harsh realities these days regardless of pregnancy)

Good luck in your decisions

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Fellow teachers, please advise... (long)

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