Already back at work but now have a great opportunity and not sure what to do about it!

[Dizzymama]

Hi all,
I've been back at work since September, working as a teacher two days a week. I've really enjoyed it (well, mostly!) apart from the usual work feelings / guilt etc. I can't help thinking if I could clone myself and be a full time Mum and a full time teacher, life would be grand!
There is a review happening in my area which basically has meant we are changing from first, middle, high schools to primary and secondary schools. Here's the thing, my head has made it very plain that I could be handed a full time senior management position on a plate. The money would (obviously) be much, much better than now and career wise it would be a great idea.
Of course, the problem is I don't really want to leave Dd to do a full time job, especially as most weekends would be filled with planning etc. But I can't get out of my head what a great oportunity this is and....here I go talking myself round in circles again!
Has anyone had a similar experience? What did you do? Anyone got any advice at all - I know it is probably a common situation but I really can't get my head round it all.
x

[Dizzymama]

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[Dizzymama]

Sorry to keep bumping but worrying myself silly over this.

[bambi06]

whats the time scale on the job position?

[yoyo]

How old would DD be in September?

You could always agree and give it a chance and if it doesn't work out then resign. Is it something you have always wanted to do?

[compo]

I would do as Yoyo suggests and give it a go. If you don't you will always wonder if you missed a brilliant opportuntity

[Dizzymama]

I need to let the head know in about a month or two. If I took it and resigned (whilst I agree this is the best idea) she'd make it her job to make sure I never worked in the county again!

[Dizzymama]

Sorry Yoyo, Dd will be 18 months in September

[bee3]

Dizzymamma, what a dilemma.....It's doubly hard when someone has recommended you, as it's such a great feeling, knowing you are good at what you do, and wanting to get more involved.

I am in a similarish situation. I was in a SMT job before having ds, then went back 3 days a week (keeping my management responsibilities, but part of a jobshare). It was incredibly hard work, even only doing 3 days. I felt I was doing 3 jobs badly - being a mother, being a class teacher and being the SMT bod who is supposed to support others. We then had to move, and I decided not to work for a bit, and now, a year later, I'm looking at jobs again. I think if I wanted to work fulltime then it would be relatively easy to find another SMT job, but I really don't as it took up so much of my time (8am - 6pm most days, then planning at weekends etc) and though it was hugely rewarding it was also exhausting and stressful.

Are you in a job-share at the moment, and would the school consider a jobshare application for one of the SMT posts? It can work really well, as the school usually gets more for their money. That could be a possibility.

If you really really want the job then do go for it, but be realistic about how much of your time it would take up. I'm not sure the "try it for a bit and see" approach is advisable in teaching, because as you say, the expectation is that you'll stay for at least a year. I would also say that if you have the qualities and enthusiasm for a more senior post (which you obviously do as your Head has already earmarked you ), then those abilities aren't going anywhere - there will be other jobs coming up over the next couple of years, probably within your current school, and certainly in other schools. It's not a win/loose situation in that if you don't apply, then you'll never get the chance again.

Having said all that though, I desperately miss my job, and the buzz from children and working hard, and can perfectly understand what a difficult decision it is, so not much help really.

[bee3]

Oh, and was it you stalking me on Church Cove in Cornwall last Summer?......

You see you really should have come over - we could have talked shop

[hana]

was in similar position - if I went back full time I would have become head of lower school....turned it down, the extras that came with it ( not the pay) meant that I'd be working so so much during weekends and holidays, time away from my then 1 year old.
We now have 2, and I'm at thes ame school, and the person doing the job now is ok, but I see how much they have on their plates along with the classroom teacxhing. I don't regret it at all. I teach 1 sometimes 2 days each week

you;'ll have to do what is best for you
I've decided i want to be home with my dds when they are little, I'm sure something else will come up when it's ab etter time for me
good luck with yoiur decision

[mancmum]

give it a go -- better to do and realise that it was the right or wrong thing than to do nothing ... and wonder...


You can go back to teaching pt but this opportunity might not come up again... not much of a risk... and potentially very rewarding emotionally, personally and financially....

[beasmum]

when you are an old woman with your grandchildren running round your ankles, will you be thinking "Gosh, I WISH I'd spent more time at work"........

work is work and there are always opportunities for those who have the ability. Children are children once only and they only get one chance to spend their preschool years with a loving parent.

[beachyhead]

Try to find a mum with a similar work pattern to yourself and offer yourselves as a job share team........you get part time work, probably more money and better status....

[Dizzymama]

Thank you all so much, it really helps to hear others views. I'm going to mull it all over for a week and see how I feel at the end of it all.
I already job share with a lovely lady(she does three days to my two) but 'unfortunately' she is already on the SMT as Head of mathematics so I couldn't share the head of Block type position with her. There is however, another senior member of staff coming back from maternity leave in march, so it may be possible to share with her - hadn't thought of that!
Bee3, yes it was me! If I see you again this year I'll definitely pop over, you'll just have to wear a mumsnet T shirt so i can identify you!

[lovecloud]

Hello

I feel bad saying this as it might upset you but if I were you I would not take it as nothing can be more important to me than my daughter especially money.

I work part time at the moment.

The first few years of their life goes so fast, I am sure the opprtunity or something similar would come around again in a few years when your child is in school full time. Then you would have the best of both worlds.

But that is just me alot of people will disagree.

[Dizzymama]

No, Lovecloud, don't worry, you haven't upset me at all Infact after much talking today to Mums who work both full time and part time I think I have decided to stay as I am working two days (maybe up to three but I don't think anymore). The overall consensus appears to be that opportunities such as this arise fairly regularly (at least once every two years anyway!)but your child is only this age once.
A big thank you to everyone though (those on both sides of the arguement) as your comments really have helped me put this into perspective and stop me faffing!!