Teachers- should I stay or should I go?

[pixiefish]

I'm posting this under education as it's relevant to education- even though it's a work issue it's not a general work issue- it's fairly specific... hope that's ok

I?m in a total quandry about my job and what to do for the best for me, dd, dh and work. This is so confusing and I don?t know what to do.

Here?s the background:
I teach English in a secondary school and have gone part time since September. I don?t think the bosses are entirely happy about this but that?s irrelevant at the minute.

My degree is in another subject but because of the shortage of English teachers I was appointed- initially I thought I?d only do it for a year and then I?d go back to my subject. 5 years on I?m still doing it although for the last 2 years (not this year) I have had a Gcse and an A level group in my degree subject(this was because I was being tempted by another job and the head wanted me to stay so he gave me what the other school were offering)

I am never going to progress any further or teach a level in English- that has been made more than clear to me as the head and head of dept think that it?s only a specialist who should do that- this is no longer an issue for me- I have accepted this and am not going to try and fight it (even though I've been told that my lack of degree in the subject isn't an issue when it boils down to it then it is).

If I leave now then I can put on my cv that I was an English and degree subject teacher but if I stay another year or so then I?ll be back to being an English teacher who?s stuck at the same school and in the same position for ever more. Even though I?m not particularly ambitious at the moment I don?t want to have a ceiling on my career as I don?t know how I?ll feel in the future. I also feel like a 'poor relation' IYKWIM in that I don't teach A level but others do.

My quandary is this:
Do I quit in February and leave at Easter and hopefully get some supply work for a couple of years before trying to get back into teaching my degree subject or what?
I?ve also got issues with dd and her eczema- the clinic is on one of my teaching days and I feel like shit for taking the time off- however it was my hod who insisted I worked that day so that she could get me to attend the after school meeting, dd?s eczema is particularly bad this week and ve had to leave her with my mum so that I can go to work- if I was doing supply then I could turn down work this week and stay at home with dd- I feel totally torn and that whatever I do I?m letting someone down. (Dh has accepted that the decision is mine and so long as I do some supply he is ok)
There is an abundance of supply work in this area.
Unfortunately not an abundance of work in my degree subject, certainly no hope of part time work in that subject at the moment.
Many thanks for reading this- sorry if it?s long and boring

Candy- I feel that I've been treated badly at the school- I have issues with the workload that we have (6 formal assessments per term per class- only used to do 3 per term) Issues with things that were promised to me and given to other people. I don't want to do anything for nothing for them because of this- thanks for the suggestion.

Sorry pixiefish, only just found this thread again - well you go girl, JUMP - and best of luck with your new place - I hope you find somewhere that deserves you this time.

Pixiefsh, been away for a week so didn't see this till now.
A few comments.
Firstly, having wanted to do A level for ages and then getting it, believe me, it is no picnic! Some really like it and I can see why, but it takes me a huge amount of time in preparation / marking etc. It's a big committment. And I don't mean to be patronising here, just pointing out that it's not always all it's cracked up to be. You can have great A level groups and ones where the students really aren't bothered (surprisingly) and it can be a massive uphill struggle. But if you are keen to do it for career etc, the school should be listening to you. I would expect someone with a degree in Welsh to be able to teach A level English with no problems, sorry Candy but I disagree with you there.
Remember that the school will forget you and replace you in a flash so don't feel any guilt if you decide to go. It's a dog eat dog world.
Supply doesn't appeal to me personally but I can see the benefits.
In my subject at the mo there is a big staff shortage, not sure what it's like in English and in your area. You have time though to consider so why not spend Friday evening browsing through jobs to see what's on offer elsewhere? Not sure, is the job adverts system different in Wales? They aren;t in TES are they?
It won't hurt to get your CV up-to-date and write a few bits of a letter which you can adapt if you see a job you want to go for.
You've been a real help recently to me, but (and I hope you don't find me ungrateful) I must admit having had DD, I'm now seriously re-thinking the career thing. Is it really that important to you or is it the "correct" course of action? You are only here once and your happiness is more important than any job / career / school.
Spend some time mulling over what you want to do. Do you want the big career now or further down the line?
(Middle) Management and / or responsibility can actually be a huge pain in the arse.
R