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August 2016 Moms
LadyBear10
member
Teacher Advice on Leave
LadyBear10
member
Hey Guys!
I tried searching to see if any other teachers on this board have really mentioned much about their maternity leave, and I can not seem to find much. I am really nervous about my leave because I am actually due BEFORE the school year starts. My EDD is August 12, but my school year always starts the Tuesday after Labor Day. There is just so much to be done in those two weeks before the year starts, like setting up my classroom. I have not told my boss I am pregnant yet, and I am not sure how to tackle the fact that I will be missing the very beginning of the school year. As any teacher knows these weeks are super crucial, especially with middle schoolers. I am kind of sad I may miss the first day of school too. This is my first pregnancy, so I am already crazy nervous to tell people I am pregnant let alone I am missing the first portion of the school year. Any advice in this situation?
I tried searching to see if any other teachers on this board have really mentioned much about their maternity leave, and I can not seem to find much. I am really nervous about my leave because I am actually due BEFORE the school year starts. My EDD is August 12, but my school year always starts the Tuesday after Labor Day. There is just so much to be done in those two weeks before the year starts, like setting up my classroom. I have not told my boss I am pregnant yet, and I am not sure how to tackle the fact that I will be missing the very beginning of the school year. As any teacher knows these weeks are super crucial, especially with middle schoolers. I am kind of sad I may miss the first day of school too. This is my first pregnancy, so I am already crazy nervous to tell people I am pregnant let alone I am missing the first portion of the school year. Any advice in this situation?
Re: Teacher Advice on Leave
It will definitely be rough to miss the first weeks of the school year. If you can line up a long-term sub in advance, he or she might be able to come observe you teaching this semester in order to set similar expectations next year. You might also be able to find a retired teacher who is familiar with your content and grade level--you probably will still have to do a lot with norms and community building, but at least you won't be coming back to a class that's been floundering with an ill-prepared sub.
As far as getting your classroom prepped, do as much as you can at the end of this year. It might not be decorated or organized the way you would normally have it, but you can have the essentials ready. Things tend to get "lost" during maternity leave, so I would avoid leaving personal items or things you've invested a lot of your own money into. You can always set it up when you come back.
We had a teacher out for first quarter this year, and they just decided to keep her sub on until semester and have her coach part-time second quarter. Perhaps you could do something similar--it would definitely be easier to come back at semester.
@Hammond142 Women don't get much for maternity leave over here. I'm guaranteed 12 weeks unpaid and I'm pretty sure I also have to have everything planned for the substitute. Super jealous of your situation!
Married: 10/2008
DD: 4/2012
TTC #2: 12/2013
BFP: 12/6/2015
EDD: 8/17/2016
I've been in this position 3 times (August 2010, August 2013, and August 2015). If you can start the school year I would just so you get set the tone for the year. My school has 1 week of in-service then the students start the following week.
1) My first was born 8/3 and we went back 8/4 (week of in-service) so I didn't make to school at all.
2) My 2nd was born Friday the first week students went back and I was at school until 10:30 that day when I got the call that we needed to induce (pre-e).
3) With my 3rd (due 8/22) I hoping to have 2 weeks with the students aND wold hAve if id made ithe to my DD. I only made it 3 days, I went into labor after getting home from school on 8/12 and she was born the following day.
I worked up until labor for #2 and #3. I really felt those first few days, however brief were worth it. Just remember when you return that you'll have to treat it like the beginning of the year. Good luck!
I told my boss Friday and he is meeting with our super Tuesday to figure out my options etc. He is very supportive but it is his first year so he really isn't much help to me sorting all of this out. If I take the full 12 weeks FMLA then I would be out till the end of October. However, I know there are stipulations with that and sometimes you have to pay your full 100% insurance premium after you have used up the paid leave/sick days. I have no idea how much my premium is at 100% so don't even know if I could take the full 12 financially. My school gives 20 full paid days, then I think you have to take sick leave, then FMLA will cover up to a max total of 12 weeks. Of course I am a bit in the dark too, because the paperwork was SO wordy....I don't think I got it all.
As far as a sub goes....I would LOVE to have someone come in this spring and shadow for a bit, especially if I stay in 3rd. If I take the full 12 I will probably plan the first month and then let her take over when she has a feel for the class/schedule. I would also like a retired teacher or even a teacher who has graduated but doesn't have a full time position. I did a lot of long term subbing the year I didn't have a job. We will see.
Married May 2014
DD born August 2016
Baby #2 due December 2017
I will tell my boss after we have our first ultrasound at 12.5 weeks and everything is OK. I know I have to use my sick and personal days for leave and when they're gone, they're gone. I believe the rest is unpaid. I hope to have enough to cover 12 weeks and come back around Halloween at the end of the 1st quarter. I will update more after I tell my boss for some more insight.