Part vs. Full Time Teaching...

EveKing79 · January 2013

Hi again teachers... I've posted a few times about my teaching job, and I'd like you to come in again about what your ideal situation would be, given the choice.

I'm a part-time teacher in a charter school. I was *very* fortunate to find a job teaching in my content area after only about a month of full time subbing, and have just finished my first full year at my current job. The job has drawbacks: I make significantly less that I would teaching full-time in a regular public district, and my commute is just over an hour each way. We have a large population of students with special needs (mostly autism), so the classes can occasionally be stressful, but overall, my classes are small and my students are amazing, engaged and very sweet.

I have been feeling pretty comfortable in this position, because it does allow me two full days a week to be at home with DS, who is 16 months old. When I began the job last year my schedule was very hectic (I did not have adequate prep time, lunch was on the fly), but conditions have improved exponentially this school year, and I genuinely enjoy my co-workers and students.

Right now I feel like I have the best of both worlds, I am working in my field and also have extra time with DS. Financially, DH and I are good, for the moment-things are a little tight, but more comfortable than they have been in the past. My DH changed jobs over the summer and got a decent raise with that, he is expecting his salary to increase again this summer.

The hiring season is starting here, and I feel I have gained some great experience in the field in the past year. The market is still very tight, but I think it would be worthwhile for me to look around again.What holds me back is the thought of losing those two days at home with DS.

We are just fine for the moment financially, but we plan to add another child to our family in the next 2-3 years. We like to travel as a family and will eventually want to do an extension on our home (we have a 2 bedroom- house is perfect but will get cramped when we have a second child)

My question is this: given the choice, would you stay part-time while your child is younger than school age, even with less money and a big commute? Or would you actively seek out the "ideal' job, full time, that is more in keeping with your long term plan?

MNgirl326 · January 2013

You can always look and apply for jobs and just see what is out there. You never know what is out there until you look.

Just cause you look or even interview for a position, doesn't mean you need to accept it if it is offered. But at least you would have the option to if you decided that is what you wanted.

XCrissCrossX · January 2013

I'm licensed in a field with few job openings (in fact, I've never taught in the field I'm licensed in)- so with that POV, I would definitely apply for any opening that was available in my field if I thought I'd want to change jobs within the next couple of years (because there have only been 2 openings in the past couple of years).

I would hesitate to apply for anything that doesn't have a shorter commute though.

flyingsaucer · January 2013

I would stay part time! Esp if you are thinking of TTC again

megann831 · January 2013

I think you've got a great situation, it's so hard to find part time teaching jobs, especially working a few days a week rather than a few hours a day, which I think isn't worth it. I would stay p/t, you seem to enjoy the days with your son, so if I were you I'd keep them and when the kids are in school you can look to go f/t

tegss · January 2013

I am a bit jealous of your situation. I am a full time teacher with 2 kids (3 years and 1 year), and I WISH I had a part time job. Not only to spend more time with my kiddos, but also for some sanity. I am just too busy! If you can financially afford to keep working part time, I would stick with it for now. But that's just me... Good luck!

BeckyTheEngineer · January 2013

I think a lot of this depends on how many kids you want to have, and at what intervals. For my family, we are opting to have kids closer together for a lot of reasons. My husband will soon stay home with 3 kids, maximizing daycare cost savings. I too work in schools and have a 45 minute commute, and am open to possibly moving and accepting a different job, if it gets me closer to family. I am certainly looking at job listings, and will apply to anything that has potential. Ultimately, I think that if you find a full time job that you like closer to home that you can see yourself staying in for the long term, then it would be a smart choice.

EveKing79 · January 2013

Thanks all! I'm pretty sure we only want to have two children total, and I don't think we will TTC for another year and a half. Even working part-time, I feel like I don't get everything done at home that I would like to, and it's hard to imagine how that would go working full time (unless it was very close)

The main thing is that financially, with only one child, we are great, but if we add another and I stay part-time until they are both school age we would have to dig into savings A LOT to afford dual childcare, expanding our home and my student loans. We could do it, but it would erode our safety net a lot (which is comfortable now). On the other hand, I don't want to look back and think, oh, I wish I hadn't rushed the time when he was little at home.

I am thinking I will look around and see what happens. I have several "ins" in two local districts and think if there was an opening I would have a good shot at the position.

lexusolsen · January 2013

I think it would be worthwhile to apply for full time positions closer to home. You could gain two hours a day by minimizing your commute. I would also do the addition now so that when LO2 gets here its done and paid for. You coukd also pay down your loans faster or add to savings. Perhaps then you could find another part time job. Good luck deciding!

EveKing79 · January 2013

So true about minimizing the commute. Also, at the charter we work a longer day (8 hours vs. 7 hours) than in a public district, so I would gain another few hours there every week. However, having two completely free days during the work week is pretty nice too.

shopgirl78 · January 2013

I'm full-time. I need the benefits & 2 out of 3 of my kids are in full time school, so I would get no more time with them. If you are happy, I'd be inclined to stay where I was but know that in 3-4 years your DC will be starting school so if the perfect job came along....do you have all the same benefits as a full time staff? Short term disability? health insurance? FMLA?

I would also think it would be good to have a shorter commute and perhaps in the district my kids would be in. My kids currently are not in my school because its high ESL and a lower performing school. I am may move DS1 due to his behavioral needs.

alyss0nl · January 2013

I'm just curious at how you are part-time 3 days a week? Is it like a specials or extra class?

If you enjoy the time, then I'd say continue. But if you are looking for a more full-time ideal job, definitely don't let it pass up. My contract is up in July and I plan on finding a job closer to home. Granted, there are many openings going unfilled in my state. Commute is about an hour and a half both ways. I have a very demanding, needy classroom so it is often stressful, hardly any prep time, and no lunch, I eat with my students.

My ideal teaching job would be much closer to home. I HATE commuting. Different district and better benefits. I work at a Title 1 school so barely enough funding for what we need. I provide most of the extra materials they require like scissors, glue, ruler, crayons, etc.

9fraulein · January 2013

If you can get a f/t position without having to commute, I'd say that would be my goal.

EveKing79 · January 2013

I'm just three days a week because I teach art... Not a classroom teacher. We have a much smaller population than the districts so I am able to see all the students in the school over the course of the 3 days. I love my students but the commute is wearing on me. I have FMLA and could have insurance I'm under DH's right now because it's better but not sure about short term disability. My area is an incredibly tight market right now, so it may be a moot point, but just trying to decide what to aim for:

mrsrobinsontobe · January 2013

hi there! i've been pt (28 hrs a week) since my 4yo was born. we also don't pay for childcare -- thank you, mom who lives down the street; my husband works from home; and my school is also down the street! i am well compensated because of my masters degree + and many years of experience. i love it, especially at this time (school age) because i get to be a big part of the their education...if i worked ft, i'd never drop off or pick up, have face to face connections with teachers and parents; there would be no impromptu playground dates, no volunteering in their classrooms, etc. as a teacher, it would be very hard to be such a big part of other kids education and miss out on my own. it's busy, but totally worth it! good luck

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