Going back to teaching - is it worth it?

[pmouse]

I posted this query within another thread and would really welcome your views... I have had a full-on HoD role in a comp. and am debating whether to go back or not after the birth of my now 9 month-old. I don't have to, financially, and I never particularly loved the job anyway although I enjoy my subject and the classroom for the most part. However part of me is reluctant to throw away 8 years of expertise and if I eventually did get a hankering for the classroom again in a year or so would I be employable (NQTs are cheaper)? I'm assuming I'd have to resign from this post if I chose not to return. What do you think? Thanks!

Any chance you could return as ordinary bod and give the HOD bit to someone else? The holidays are great with kids and do you really want to start over or have to do supply?

Hi there,

Hmmm its all got pros and cons.

Whats your school like?
Whats your department like?
Whats your SLT like?
Do you think you will be supported?
Have you got a lot of SOW/resources?
Did you find it mega stressful before?
Could you/would you drop to part time?
Could you/ Would you considering giving up your HOD post?
How does your baby sleep?
Are you happy with the childcare that you would need to put in place?
Could you try it for the summer term?
Are you planning another baby in the future? (I'm not being nosey here but maybe its worth going back for a year or so and then going on maternity again (thats my plan!)...)
If you have a dp what do they think?

I am a HOD in a comprehensive too and have just returned in January. DS is 7 months.

Well... I gave myself 12 weeks. I wouldn't make a stay or go decision until 12 weeks of work because I knew it would be hard to start with. I have to say the first seven weeks were completely up and down and this week (week 8 done) has been the first week when I've actually enjoyed it. Also by waiting 12 weeks to make the decision whilst being back in post has meant that I wouldn't have to pay back any maternity pay.

Here are some of the cons I've found:
I miss my baby A LOT. He is my love and while I like a lot of my students they don't have the same hold over me!!! In fact its felt like my heart has been crushed every morning since I've had to start leaving him. But as the day goes on it gets better.

Here are some of the pros I've found:
Reading on here how hard it is to get a job has made me think twice about just ditching it because it is good - only five more weeks and I am off for ages. I've also got so many SOW/resources that I am able to spend my PPA on doing reports etc and so apart from parents evenings I don't take work home with me and leave by 4pm four days a week. Its still bloody tiring though.

I don't know about being unenemployable in the future - I know quite a few teachers who have taken time out and come back to it. Though of course its crossed my mind as well if I decide to leave. I would have thought that anything is negotiable if an employer wants you and you want to get back into teaching after being out for a while. But I have seen a sharp decline in the amount of jobs in my subject area.

So I've said a lot on the matter..

I wish I could leave for a few years and then step back into my job - that would be perfect! Hmm damn that life isn't always perfect!!

PS Just so you know I don't expect you to actually answer all those questions on here!!! They were just for you to think about!!

I did just short of two years of teaching in the late 90s.

More or less exactly a year ago I decided to go back to teaching as a volunteer, to get some experience. Two days a week.

On Monday I got a job - a maternity cover, starting in May.

So you won't be unemployable.

Thank you all for your comments! Giggle78 - You are very brave returning as HoD. Are you full time? What kind of childcare have you got?
I guess I just feel there was not much point in my having a baby, only to leave him in childcare whilst I go back to doing what I did before which I did find very stressful. And as I say, we could just about manage financially on one salary.
My Dept does have SoWs but my subject is very bitty - little short bursts of lots of activities each lesson so even the teachers who've been doing it 30 years still find themselves planning new stuff each time.
I haven't even looked into childcare yet, apart from a couple of local nurseries which didn't inspire me but perhaps a childminder is more personal.
Is part-time teaching rewarding? I know I would end up having to share most if not all my classes with someone else and then there's that extra time spent discussing with the other teacher what to do with the class next. I imagine catching up on off days which is not the point...
What a conundrum!

Hmmm based on results day :( and this evenings parents evening I wish wish wish I had taken the full year and been protected from this stress a bit longer!! Somehow even though I was away having a baby the fact that a student did badly was all my fault!!

I am very lucky with childcare because dh is home three days a week, one day is my sister and one day my MIL.

Its sooooo hard though and if I could afford to not work ft I would. I do feel tired all the time and so when I am home I don't think my child gets the best of me. Plus I have to rely on my dh to do so much around the house. But if it was him working ft I am sure I would do the same. I miss my baby soooo much.

My only thought on working part time is that teachers who do all seem to do tons of work but don't actually get paid for it.

Oh its so hard..good luck with coming to a decision!