I was wondering if there are any teachers in the forum. I teach high school English, grades 9-12 and go back to work in two weeks. I'm not sure that I'm ready to go back, even with having had a maternity leave! I LOVE the high school kids, but there is a lot of political crap w/the adults in my district. I've had some dealings w/it the last couple of weeks, and now, I'm not excited about going back, even though I was in June when I hadn't interacted w/many of the adults! :roll:

Hi hon

I was a teacher in a past life. By that I mean I haven't worked as a teacher for about 6 years now although I do volunteer in my babies Primary School & have done for the past 5 years.

I certainly know how you feel about possibly not going back. I made that decision to stay home and be a Mum. Plus I had really bad depression and my main focus was to get better for my me and my family.
I understand and remember how hard it can be with the adults (parents mostly) associated with the schools I had worked in. Some were so wonderful then there were the ones who just made things a lot harder than they should be. Not only for me & my colleagues but the children also.

I still love all the kids but for me I don't want to go back to work in a classroom. I would much rather be a teacher librarian! And I'm not qualified for that. Oh well.

Sorry I've about put my whole story here. I do understand how you are feeling though. How long have you been on leave? Will you be going back part-time?

I've been out since the last week of March. I love being home, but sometimes, I really need to be at work. I admire stay-at-home mommies because although I LOVE being at home w/my kids, I need some me time too; I don't know that stay-at-homes get much of it. I know I certainly don't when I'm at home during the summers/my breaks.

I won't be going back part-time. It's definitely a full-time thing. I have an interview on Wednesday for the administrative position. I REALLY want it. Not because I don't love teaching, but just because if I want to be a good teacher, I feel that I have to put 110% of myself into it, and I just don't feel that's fair to my own kids. I also am drained by the end of the year, dreading grading essays because I teach an AP class so I have SOOO many essays to grade all year.

Anyway, I don't know that I will get the position. I've interviewed twice in the past for it now, and I haven't gotten it. I've been told I always come in as the alternate. I have also been told pretty flat out that I don't know the right people. Politics, ugh. The hard part is that I interned last year in administration for two periods a day and really enjoyed it. Now, it's getting through the politics to get an actual position.

I certainly know what you mean about being burnt out by the end of the school year. Working full time and having children at home is certainly not the easiest thing to do. I found it very had but for most of the time I had a good support network, until my Mum passed away. Then things got harder.
I certainly admire the Mums who work and teach full time (or any working Mum not just teachers) I know how hard it can be for them.

Golly High School kids. I don't know how you do it! I only worked with the 5-8 year olds. I admire you for being able to work with the older children. It was something I found hard to do even when I was a relief teacher (substituting).

I was always told its not what you know its who you know. So the office politics plays a big part in things sometimes. I do hope that you get the admin job. Especially since you enjoyed it so much. Good luck hon