Calling All teachers!

mattanda2011 · April 2014

I know we talked about maternity leave a long time ago, but now that it is coming up, I am wondering what all the teachers out there are doing about going back to work.

I have found out that FMLA doesn't count for the summer, so technically we can use FMLA from the first day we are supposed to report to work in August. Is anyone else doing this? Or do you have another plan?

I love the idea of being off with both of my kids from June-November...but I think part of me feels like a slacker to ask for that. Then again, its my kids and that is the only time I can spend with our new one while he is that small. '

Thoughts?

bumpuser9343355 · April 2014

I'm still planning on going back in the beginning of the school year, but I am hoping to be part time when I go back (every other day for me since we are on block schedule). Unless Baby is super late (knock on wood), DH and I are both going to be home with him for almost three months and I have a feeling I will be ready to go back to work (at least part time) by mid August. I honestly haven't even looked into FMLA because I didn't plan on using it, but I had heard from friends of mine that our district starts your leave count from the day baby is born, no matter what. But since I haven't looked into it personally, that could definitely be wrong!

DaisyHeadMayzie · April 2014

If I had any sick leave built up, I would absolutely take my leave starting in August. Unfortunately, we don't get paid anything without using up our sick leave time....

Our district allows us to do an intermittent leave where we can go part-time. I think I'll work 3 days per week for the 1st quarter then back to full time at 2nd quarter.

If you have the financial means or sick leave time to take off, do it! You only get to spend this opportunity once

Savvy122 · April 2014

If you can swing it financially, I say take the FMLA time! I am using sick days from mid-May through the end of the school year, so I'll still have 12 full weeks come August. I honestly am playing it by ear; if I feel ready to come back in August, I'll come back. If not, I may take a few FMLA weeks at the beginning of the school year. I definitely can't afford to take 12 full consecutive unpaid weeks (plus pay for my benefits out of pocket during that time).

I also have considered doing intermittent leave throughout the entire school year (working a 4-day week instead of 5) but I'm not sure my district would approve that.

Jenn111211 · April 2014

I'm staying home next year for sure and then we'll see after that. I don't have enough energy to teach and take care of a baby. I know plenty of women do it and that I could if I had to, but I really don't want to!

traceyboo37 · April 2014

I have been home since 2011 and not going back. I love being home with my son and baby girl will get the same. I start working on another masters next semester in case I want to switch careers when kids start school. When I feel like doing teacher work, I score exams from home. I miss the kids but wouldn't trade this time for anything.

bumpuser9343355 · April 2014

BrightEyes112 said:

I get a year so I'm stopping at the end of May but I won't go back until Sept 2015 because I can't start at the end of a semester.

This makes me want to move to Canada!

MrsRahl · April 2014

I subbed for a girl on maternity leave when she had the baby last June. She came in for the first 3 days of school to get me acquainted then I took over for 10 weeks. Coincidentally I then got pregnant in September and was the pukie preggo one lol. She had to take her sick time before FMLA. I would absolutely take that time off after the summer. I've completely left teaching though and I'm being a SAHM but that was always our plan.

mattanda2011 · April 2014

Thanks for the insight ladies. @ BrightEyes112 I think I am going to move to Canada! Goodness that sounds awesome.

Financially we are willing to make it work just because we know that we can never get that time back. In addition I also have short term disability - which I need to look into more, but I think that will help out with money a little bit.

Theoretically I would work part time for the rest of my life if I could - but I work at a private school that is really good (and the public schools our house is districted for are not) and the only way we can get the kids tuition paid for is for me to stay full time. We couldnt afford the school on our own. DD may only be 1.5, but since she will be in this school from 4-14 it feels worth it to stay - and eventually I will get to be with her all day!

Shellbaby84 · April 2014

I'm taking off from August till November. My short term disability starts when the baby is born, so I will receive that over the summer and once schools starts my time off will be unpaid. We're willing to make it work financially so I can stay home with the baby a little longer. I'll go back at the beginning of December, work 3 weeks, and then have two weeks off for Christmas break. This allows me to get paid for the two week break as well.

liberty95 · April 2014

I teach at a university and my c-section is planned for the day after the semester ends. I plan to take the summer off and take my full FMLA leave staring the first day of the fall semester.
I already talked to my boss and got a little bit of an eye roll because I will come back with three weeks left before the close of the semester so she can't give me any courses. I presented her with a few different options of what I could do for those few weeks and she agreed to one of them. I will basically go back in a tutor/advisory role for students struggling before finals.
I would've taken my leave no matter what, but going into the meeting with a plan helped keep me in my boss's good graces.

dragonfly711 · April 2014

I am due June19. School ends June 6

We have to use short term disability so I have to go back to work in Aug/sept. I could take 6 weeks but it would be unpaid. So bummed.

diagonalley · April 2014

I plan on taking time off in the fall, but how much time is dependent on when baby arrives. If I make it through this year (which requires going a week late) I'll be off through November (which includes coming back for the teacher days in August to get myself, my classroom,and my sub ready) but if he comes this year then I can't come back for those August days and will have to be back at the beginning of November. REALLY hoping for a late baby!

Kristalyn85 · April 2014

I am going back for the next school year. As a Special Education Teacher for preschoolers, I didn't think it would be wise to have them start off with a long term sub. If I taught another grade, I would probably consider taking additional time.

FeliciaTwo · April 2014

I'll be taking fall semester AND Jan term, cobbling together sick leave, maternity leave, and family paid leave (those last two being covered by my CA disability insurance). So I won't be teaching again until February. I love California!!!!!

mercy0606 · April 2014

I am an administrator but my maternity leave is exactly like the teachers'. My last day at work is June 5th- taking sick days from then until end of June. Unpaid time off in summer, but we have private short term disability insurance which will kick in.

Family leave officially starts September 1st and return to work December 1st. 6 weeks are paid by state at 2/3 my salary the last 6 weeks are completely unpaid so we have saved in preparation. Baby will be almost 6 months when I go back so I'm very happy with how it turned out.

jacksoha · April 2014

I'm a counselor at an elementary school and I work with kids who have emotional issues that prevent them from being successful in a day of school. Our last day of school is June 5th and I'm due June 12th, I didn't even look into FMLA or time off because they couldn't get a sub for me in the fall and I want to start fresh with my kids in August.

Gbseder · April 2014

NYC charter school teacher here, so rules are a bit different for us without a union contract. I'm due June 7th but last day for teachers is June 13, so I definitely won't make it to the end but plan to work as long as I possibly can. I hope to work out an adjusted schedule with my principal to lighten up my load towards the end so I'm not working 11 hour work days right up until the end (my average day- ugh!).

Like some other PPs, my summer is part of my maternity leave time regardless of when I give birth, so the 12 weeks FMLA kick in the day I leave, if it June, or the day I give birth, if over the summer. I plan to go back when my 12 weeks is up, as we don't get access to PTO or accumulated sick days. Benefits don't totally suck though- first 20 work days off are paid, then after that, the rest of my 12 weeks total can be covered by my short term disability where I get 60% salary. Since teachers report back July 24th for training and kids come back mid-August, I still get a little off the hook at least to enjoy extra time at home! I'll likely return at the very start of September.

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