Teacher Mommies?

makeoutside7 · July 2015

Anyone else reporting back to work next week? What have you accomplished this summer and how are you spending your last week/weekend of summer break?

I had all these "plans" but ended up bumming around for the most part, slept a ton. We adopted a greyhound last week and I've been training him how to be home alone without destroying my house. Other than having a terrible cold, I am spending this weekend refurbishing a few dressers for the nursery. Honestly, already looking forward to winter break and being home snuggling baby.

nachomama27 · July 2015

We don't go back until the end of August. I've also been bumming around quite a bit. My goal is to get the nursery DONE before we go back.

As far as getting school things done, I've done nothing. This is due to not knowing if I'm teaching 1st or 3rd grade next year. I'm really enjoying the forced non-working time.

maura+c · July 2015

We go back the end of August, as well. Spending these last few weeks going on vacations. Next week, my toddler and I go to the beach with my parents and the following will be my husband and I for baby moon. It's the first time il be away from my 16 month old for more than 15 hrs and I'm kind of freaking. As fun as it will be, with just my husband; I'm going to be sad! I'm sure il get over it when we get to Puerto Vallarta and I'm in the spa, but the thought of leaving him is daunting. Anyway, in terms of school this is my first time in 5th grade, as I've only taught the little guys 1st. We shall see.. What I'm most concerned about is the armpit smell the boys will have when they come in from recess!! Everything stinks to me right now and that could seriously make me sick! Have a great school year to all the teachers out there!

makeoutside7 · July 2015

@BetsyLettsy, you are ambitious! I don't even plan to start mine until September. I hope they let you know soon so that you can prep for it. My second trimester has been just smooth sailing with the summer off! I will be in trainings all month, my students return on September 1st. Looking forward to the office time! Enjoy the rest of your break, lucky!!

makeoutside7 · July 2015

@maura+c that all sounds amazing! I know you'll miss your tot but just think about how you won't get this opportunity again for a long time! My husband has decided to save all of his vacation days for his paternity leave so no babymoon for us. I'm a little bummed out but we just bought a house and have been busy with home projects. I know that I won't be bummed when he is home and helping me for a few weeks when baby gets here. Enjoy your vaca and good luck with the spidey senses, I'm so glad that went away for me on the first trimester as I am a home visitor and teach in the students' homes and everything smelled bad no matter what it was. Hang in there!

laswett · July 2015

My county is rolling over their calendar this year, so we got out on June 10th, we go back Monday, and the kids come back the 10th. The community is less than pleased, but they made the decision based on testing, so, you know how that goes. The nursery is mostly done, but with SO being a contractor, I didn't really do much lol. I've been babysitting my nieces all summer, and tutoring a friend's kid in reading once a week. I feel like I didn't really get a break due to having other people's kids and the cut time, so I'm pretty bummed to start Monday. I'm just looking forward to my 8 weeks off, which will be longer than our summer, with my OWN kid.

SweetTooth126 · July 2015

Not a teacher but I'm a school nurse in an elementary school. We go back at the end of August but I have in-services spread throughout the month. I feel like I got a lot accomplished this summer between setting up the nursery, doing my registry, and mentally preparing for a baby (aka relaxing). Off to Miami next week for a spa trip! Enjoy the last few weeks of break, ladies!

makeoutside7 · July 2015

@laswett you and I had the same short break! I thought about taking in a kid to watch for the extra income but decided against it and I'm pretty glad I didn't since I can barely wake up to take my dog out. Lol. I am also only taking 8 weeks off. Just did the math and I will only be actually teaching 7 months this year. Just 7 months, hang in there!

makeoutside7 · July 2015

@SweetTooth126 have a wonderful babymoon!

SweetTooth126 · July 2015

@makeoutside7 actually going with my SIL and MIL (who I both really enjoy) while my husband goes out of town for work. Not a babymoon but I will definitely be enjoying it! My MIL surprised me with the trip- all expenses paid- can't beat that!

SJFTCA · July 2015

In my district, teachers return August 10 and students August 17. One more week of freedom for me. I'm extra sad this summer bc (as much as I'm thrilled with the blessing of our baby boy) this is my last summer to myself. I would love to not have to work all the way up until baby comes! I do, however, teach 11th grade, so I'm hoping that my students will be understanding and know that I need rest and will be more helpful than a hindrance.

This summer, I feel like I've been pretty productive. I have definitely gotten plenty of rest, but I've also accomplished projects around the house. The nursery is completely cleaned out and carpets are cleaned. Crib is ordered and should be in in the next few days. We're not painting, so we really just need to buy our dresser and glider, and then we will wait for gifts from the showers to finish setting up. I also did things like cleaning out bedroom closets and dresser drawers, hall closets, pantry, fridge and freezer, under bathroom sinks. Only room I haven't touched and won't touch is MH's man cave. That's his problem, haha.

I have no major plans for my last week off, other than lots of rest and checking around the house to see if anything else needs to be cleaned out and/or organized. MH couldn't get a single week off work all summer, so we had to settle for a quick weekend babymoon to Charleston and I'm hoping for one or two nights at the Grove Park Inn in September.

Tracyjean22P · July 2015

Hey ladies. I don't go back until the first week of September but I have wicked anxiety about my maternity leave so yesterday I went out and bought three big binders to organize some stuff for my replacement. I'm pretty annoyed because I found out my principal decided to hire someone who did a poor job covering a leave last year. What's worse is that the last year leave was for our 1st grade teacher... I'm the 2nd grade teacher so it's the same group of kids/parents. I think the parents are going to be very angry about this decision... When I tried to mention it to my principal... Her response was "it's a good fit because she already knows the kids and don't worry about those parents they are just 'difficult' parents". I honestly think my principal just didn't want to take the time to interview different candidates... Which is pretty ridiculous. Unfortunately I have no say on her hiring decisions. The 1st grade teacher said that her room was such a disaster when she came back and she had to spend a long time dealing with behavior management because her kids were out of control under this substitutes supervision. Any advice?

SweetTooth126 · July 2015

@Tracyjean22P my advice would be to take the rest of the school year off so your principal is the one dealing with the mess!! Lol but really what a jerk!

Tracyjean22P · July 2015

@SweetTooth126 haha I wish! I'm already taking 10 weeks and only 6 of those weeks are covered by my short term disability. So unfortunately that's not an option!

cfletch88 · July 2015

Here teachers go back on the 14th and students the 20th. I haven't really gotten anything done this summer. My plan was to have the nursery set up and I just started cleaning out the spare room yesterday, I'm hoping to at least get the crib set up.

School wise I haven't done anything either. I don't know whether I'm teaching K or 1st this year so I haven't really been able to plan. I've just been going crazy on Pinterest. Can't believe the summer is almost over :-(

SJFTCA · July 2015

@cfletch88, ugh so jealous. When I was in school, we always started on a Thursday. But somewhere along the way, some genius decided we should start on a Monday and we've been doing that now for years. I just think easing into things after such a long break is best. I think starting back on Monday is difficult on both us and the students!

fanciness123 · July 2015

I still have two weeks of freedom before I have to start setting up for next year. Just mostly bumming around, but helped a bit with my school's summer program when subs were needed. I hope to mostly get the nursery done before going back. Is everyone staying full time this year? I'm hoping to find out whether or not my principal could find a partner for me so I can co-teach and just work part time to be with my baby more. Luckily, with the timing of baby I'll get an extra week for thanksgiving and two more for Christmas that don't count as my maternity leave, but 6 (9 with the extra 3) weeks seems so short!

aabbaby · July 2015

I still have a few more weeks left. Teachers back 8/24, students start 9/2. Oh the big plans I had to get things done and even get ahead lol. With the last few weeks I plan on getting the nursery done so that all I have to do is stock it from baby shower gifts later on. As far as school, I not only need to set up for the start of school but my plans were to get materials ready for my leave. I better get started! Where has the time gone, this pregnancy is flying by!

hmf0245 · July 2015

Back August 10th for me! Hubby and I got a lot accomplished in our little guys nursery this summer so I'm happy with that but school prep has definitely taken a backseat to prepping for baby...I'm going to be that teacher that's still working on their classroom the night before

makeoutside7 · July 2015

@tracyjean22P, me too! I work with inner city families, a very diverse population and am bilingual so pretty much the candidate that replaces me would have to be also or she will not be able to communicate with the families that I serve. I am anxious about it but what can you do? You are having a baby and the most important thing is to make sure your baby is healthy and being taken care of. Worry about work when you go back. I am actually trying to block all of it out until my return. I actually don't get compensated at all for my leave, but I have saved up enough vacation and sick time to cover a month, so more than half the time. Like I mentioned in a pp, only 6-7 months of work and it will be summer break again. Hang in there!

cfletch88 · July 2015

SJFTCA said:
@cfletch88, ugh so jealous. When I was in school, we always started on a Thursday. But somewhere along the way, some genius decided we should start on a Monday and we've been doing that now for years. I just think easing into things after such a long break is best. I think starting back on Monday is difficult on both us and the students!

I love it! That Thursday and Friday are also half days. Our county lets the teachers vote, last year the majority voted for a Monday start day and everyone hated it! So we went back to Thursday. It's so much easier on the students and teachers to ease back into the year!

Tracyjean22P · July 2015

makeoutside7 said:
@tracyjean22P, me too! I work with inner city families, a very diverse population and am bilingual so pretty much the candidate that replaces me would have to be also or she will not be able to communicate with the families that I serve. I am anxious about it but what can you do? You are having a baby and the most important thing is to make sure your baby is healthy and being taken care of. Worry about work when you go back. I am actually trying to block all of it out until my return. I actually don't get compensated at all for my leave, but I have saved up enough vacation and sick time to cover a month, so more than half the time. Like I mentioned in a pp, only 6-7 months of work and it will be summer break again. Hang in there!

Thanks! I'm trying my best to not stress and deal with it all once I go back. Right now I'm just trying to have enough organized and prepared for the sub. She is a sweet nice girl... But with very little experience. I'm hoping that since she did cover a leave last year with the same kids that this year she will be me experienced and things will go smoother. But like you said... Its out of my hands so I'll focus on baby and hope for the best! My "10 weeks off" include thanksgiving and xmas break. So I think it works out that 6 weeks is my short term (which is 60% of my pay). Then about 2 weeks is vacation. Then the other 2 weeks is my sick/personal days. A few days not not be compensated... But luckily my husband makes like triple what I do so my pay is peanuts anyways. I work at a small Catholic school... So our pay is significantly less than public schools. Next year I will be looking for a new job.

Wow! Sorry for the rambling haha.

aproulx725 · August 2015

We don't go back until after Labor Day. I feel like I haven't accomplished as much as I have wanted to so far this summer. With this last month I want to get the nursery completely done so I don't have to worry about doing it on the weekends once I'm back to school. We picked up the paint for the nursery this past week so hopefully we can get it painted this week and begin building some furniture!

megandchase · August 2015

I go back the 17th kids start the 27th. I have done nothing for school this summer and it feels great. I'm switching schools and grade levels this year and I feel like I should be more stressed than I am but I'm sure I'll get there! My new principal called me yesterday to tell me he already found me a long term sub for my leave that made me feel so behind lol so I figured I better go out today and start buying things for this baby! I got most of my decorations for the nursery and plan to work on it this week. My mom comes Monday and we will go up to my classroom to get it set up while I have someone to help with heavy lifting and climbing on counters

I look forward to my leave, my son was a summer baby so I didn't get to take advantage of leave. I plan to take 10 weeks off. I'll have a schedules csection and with the 2 weeks of break at Christmas I'm able to take 10 weeks vs 8.

megandchase · August 2015

Question for you ladies: do you plan to write plans for your sub for the entire leave? I was thinking only writing plans for the first 3-4 weeks to get her started then let her take over with my teams help. I just feel that planning that far in advance is silly since I won't know what concepts will need to be retaught or need less time etc. I also feel since after 4 weeks I won't me getting paid and she will that she should be able to take over the responsibility of plans. I may sound like a b*tch but I plan to completely disconnect from school while on leave and enjoy every minute with my kiddos.

makeoutside7 · August 2015

@aproulx725 and @megandchase don't feel behind! I just ordered the crib and glider for baby today. Nothing else is ready! Also, a relief that or students don't start for a few more weeks. I have trainings all of August!

Tracyjean22P · August 2015

megandchase said:
Question for you ladies: do you plan to write plans for your sub for the entire leave? I was thinking only writing plans for the first 3-4 weeks to get her started then let her take over with my teams help. I just feel that planning that far in advance is silly since I won't know what concepts will need to be retaught or need less time etc. I also feel since after 4 weeks I won't me getting paid and she will that she should be able to take over the responsibility of plans. I may sound like a b*tch but I plan to completely disconnect from school while on leave and enjoy every minute with my kiddos.

I plan to leave an outline with what I would like her to generally cover while I'm gone. Chapters/units. I'm also going to leave my plan book from last year for her to use as a guideline to stay on track. I'm not writing 10 weeks of detailed plans though. Especially because I want her to have the freedom to adjust based on things that are out of her control (ex. Snowdays)

tahood · August 2015

Wow! I feel like such a lazy bum compared to you ladies! I have not done anything for baby except for getting my registries done. We are moving in two weeks so I haven't been able to set up any nurseries. As far as school goes, we go back on the 14th and the kids come back on the 24th. This is my 3rd year teaching the same subject and I'm with megandchase on this one. I want to leave a binder filled with all of the lesson plans and assignments for the students while I'm out.

I haven't decided on how much time I will be taking off either. I know for sure that the 6 weeks I take off will be in addition to the weeks for the holidays and then my vacation time as well but 9-12 weeks just doesn't seem like enough!! I know I'm not going to want to leave my new little girl!!

celiawilkin · August 2015

I go back for inservice tomorrow then kids come back next Monday. Not looking forward to it! I only have the first week planned and I also coach volleyball. With how tired I have been it is going to be such a struggle! At least the nursery is mostly together.

I teach in a very underserved neighborhood, and I am really worried about my leave. I would like to be able to stay home for 8-10 weeks but really don't feel comfortable leaving my students that long. I feel like I am going to have to have plans for everything but it likely won't be covered by the sub anyway... Maybe I am being negative but this particular set of students is very challenging and I don't think will do well with a change in the middle of the year!

Blah.

SJFTCA · August 2015

I can definitely understand your concern @Knottie62832155. Because I teach high school, my sub will have to end one semester and begin another for me. I'm not as worried about the person wrapping up first semester bc I know I'll have rules and routines established. I'm much more concerned with returning second semester and what I may have to walk into! Not to mention, I know I'm going to die having to leave my sweet baby!

ETA: My advice (though I'm a FTM and have never had to endure a long term sub at school) is that you will never get that precious time back with your baby. That's the way I look at it. So I'm basically taking the maximum time allowed--12 weeks--even though I will only get paid for 8-9 weeks. Just do whatever works for you and your family!

SweetTooth126 · August 2015

In my district they allow teachers to take up to a full year (unpaid). I have very little pto accumulated so I will only be paid for about 3 weeks but I am taking the rest of the school year off. DH and I have been practicing living off just his income and have done fine. I have a lot of savings to dip into if needed to last the rest of the year. I will go back next August to a fresh school year.

aproulx725 · August 2015

I'm fortunate enough to have a teacher who is retiring this year fill in for me while I'm on leave. Since my school knew I would be out they hired someone permanately for his position so he can take over for me come November. I'm glad that I won't have to stress out about leaving my classes with someone I don't know. I also plan on disconnecting completely from school while I'm gone, it's such a short period of time that I want to be able to enjoy it.

Kitta+1 · August 2015

The program I coordinate kind of follows a "school" schedule because of funding and whatnot, but our summer is only 1 month off. On the medical side (I'm nurse and coordinator because we can't afford both, lol) I've got a lot done. On the activity side, I had lesson plans in advance and ... my computer decided they didn't look important enough and ditched them. So now I go in tomorrow to train the paraprofessionals and I'll be lucky if I can piece together enough lesson plans to look like I did anything at all this summer, lol. The clients start tuesday - we only get one prep day.

cdeggleston · August 2015

We have been in pre-planning the past few days and the students start on Wednesday. I am ready to be back on a schedule but not ready to be on my feet all day. @-)

This summer we travelled quite a bit but our major project was getting all the baby stuff down from the attic. I sorted through it all and sold a few things we didn't need or couldn't use (having a boy this time around). I also went through baby clothes which was quite a job! The nursery stuff is pretty much ready but we haven't set up the room yet. I'll probably do that in a few weeks.

Good luck to all the teachers!

Tracyjean22P · August 2015

I just realized that parent/teacher conferences are scheduled on my due date! Doh! I'll have to see if my principal will let me close grades early and offer the conferences early just in case.

susanb15 · August 2015

I don't go back til the end of the month. Just starting to think about the new year now. I am planning to leave an outline and former year's plans and resources, but letting the sub do what she will.
At home, not as productive as I thought, but hoping to do better these last few weeks! Painting furniture is my priority as well as finding a crib that I like!

susanb15 · August 2015

Tracyjean22P said:
I just realized that parent/teacher conferences are scheduled on my due date! Doh! I'll have to see if my principal will let me close grades early and offer the conferences early just in case.

Our conferences are on the 9th and Due Date is 11th. I hope it all works well to have that transition of 1 grading period with me, basically 2 with the sub, then me again. Maybe my sub will come to conferences to intro herself?!?!

rachswi · August 2015

I guess I'm only kind of a teacher mommy now. I taught last year, but I've always wanted to stay home when we had kids (I've wanted to be a stay at home mom since I was a little girl!)... since I'm due November 14, I'm planning on subbing until he's born. I'm pretty apprehensive about subbing since I haven't really subbed before (half day here or there with teachers I know well... this will be different).

Fortunately, since you have to be CRAZY or on your death bed to call in sick within the first 1-2 weeks of school, I probably won't actually sub till closer to September (and I'll probably stop towards the end of October since I'll be large and uncomfortable).

cfletch88 · August 2015

megandchase said:
Question for you ladies: do you plan to write plans for your sub for the entire leave? I was thinking only writing plans for the first 3-4 weeks to get her started then let her take over with my teams help. I just feel that planning that far in advance is silly since I won't know what concepts will need to be retaught or need less time etc. I also feel since after 4 weeks I won't me getting paid and she will that she should be able to take over the responsibility of plans. I may sound like a b*tch but I plan to completely disconnect from school while on leave and enjoy every minute with my kiddos.

My leave is going to pretty perfect because it falls right between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Because the school will be closed most of the time I'll only need a sub for about 3-4 weeks. I plan on leaving detailed plans for that time, especially because during this time there will be Christmas gifts to make and a party to plan. I'll also have the Christmas tree ready with the decorations laid out for the sub to put out in the classroom. I'll still have to go to the school everyday to drop my son off and I feel like if I know I've already laid everything out for her I won't be tempted to go into my class.

jusbeintee · August 2015

Well I go back in a week also.....I have really enjoyed my time home .I've done my nursery but still have some last minute stuff to get done but I think that can wait. I'm just going miss being able to lay around and look at my stomach when she moves and eat and sleep whenever I want....lol. but I knew it was gonna come but not so soon ....I'm totally not ready to start doing lesson plans, fixing up the classroom ,meetings and etc.uou ladies know what I mean...so good luck this school year and enjoy your maternity leave in Nov.

cattledog1979 · August 2015

I go back tomorrow. I've painted the nursery and the guest bedroom. I've also gotten caught up on laundry. We just need to assemble the crib and hang pictures on the wall for the nursery to be done. I took my daughter to the zoo on Friday for our last day off together.

I've been preparing my classroom this past week and getting organized. I'm daunted by the prospect of preparing sub plans. Every year is different as a special ed teacher, so I'll be working on those this fall.

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