Would love to hear from teachers!

[CeeCee123]

Hi,

I would love to get some honest feedback from some working mums who are teachers. I've been seriously considering a career change into teaching, partly because I want to do something more family friendly but it's hard to know how realistic I'm being in thinking that teaching would be a move in that direction.

My son is 17 months and I've been back at work for about 4 months now, full time. I very much wanted part time work but have not been able to find anything. In addition, I work in head office retail which is one of the worst industries at the moment (except the Financial Sector, which is where my husband works!). I'm also feeling disillusioned about the corporate world and the idea of helping children learn really appeals to me. My initial thought has been to work towards teaching Maths as I am currently in a very numerate job, it's one of my strongest subjects and I loved it at school. I haven't really thought too long and hard about age range although I think I'd be happy in primary or secondary.

Anyway, another thing that is really heavily weighing into my decision is the fact that I am struggling with my son being in childcare from 8 - 5.30 every day. I feel that during the week I really only get to see him for about an hour of quality time a day. I suppose what I'm really curious to know is that for you working mum teachers, are you able to at least get home, have some time with your children even if it means working later in the evening? I know that school holidays are not totally free, but do you at least feel that you get some more time with your children during the holidays? I guess what it all boils down to is do you feel that your work/life balance is any better as a teacher than it is as a full time office worker?

Thanks so much for your input!

Having said that I see you want to teach maths so your marking load will be lighter than mine.

I am not sure though if other aspects of maths teaching mean more hours to compensate though.

Let's not destine everyone to the scrapheap. I am sure that I am not the first, or the last, teacher who did not find nirvana on their first teaching post

I am very glad to be given a second chance years later.

If you like kids and truly believe you will enojy teaching them, even the stroppy 13 year olds, then do it.
But as others have said, don't plump for it as a family friendly option. It isn't.
Most teachers work most evenings. I find the juggling harder now my kids are older and go to bed later. It was far easier when they were in bed at 7pm.
You need to be in work by 8am generally and can't guarantee on leaving at particualr times. Whilst I work pt, I end up having to spend extra time liaising with colleagues as I miss some official meetings.
There are family friendly heads and there are the rest.. lots of them.

I listen/ watch not sure of the verb to use scienceteacher and you clearly have a passion for education. You have a real warmth wheh you talk about your job. I don't class you as someone who teaches primarily for any reason other than you want children to dp well. There may be other reasons and I am sure if we are honest we all find percs in our job.

But I have taught with people who taught for the holidays or to do a 9-4 day and the dont last or end up failing the kids. This is especially true in the state sector where you may have to put up with behaviour issues which will only become worse if you are not dedicated.

Once kids start to play up, SMT is on your back about your marking and you get tired if you do no want to passionatly teach you will get pissed off.

Science teacher it has taken my six years to find my teaching heaven so I am not going to write anyone off for not getting it right first time. I also left teaching for five years and was not sure I would return as I was so unhappy in my post before I had my dd. But the thing that kept me going and made me return to a school that would make most people run a mile sceaming was the belief I had a vocation.

I am doing Hampshire Certificate in Dyslexia, accredited by Winchester Uni, but actual lectures are once a fortnight at Holiday Inn Eastleigh!

Realise my earlier post might sound a bit negative.

Teaching is a fab job, if you can find the right school for you. 98% of the time I love it and get such a buzz out of it that the stress and long hours don't matter.

I was a Head of Dept, full time with two children under three, both of whom were only about 10 weeks old when I returned full time - and tbh you just get on with it, get used to it and "mostly" cope fine with it!

I really do think, most of the time, it is the best job in the world -

except perhaps cake taster on the QE2 - that might be better.

Hi there. I though I would add my two-penneth worth. I can never resist posting on threads about people thinking of joining the profession!

I am not a teaching Mum (yet), but I am 7 months pg and just had an OFSTED inspection yesterday! So if I still like my job at the moment, it must be good! I do enjoy teaching and find it very rewarding, although hard work! I have been teaching 9 years.

I would say my w/l balance is pretty good. I teach Science and ICT and get the majority of my marking and planning done in school hours. I am at my desk at 8 and try to leave around 4-4.30, but we stay late for meetings once a week, plus there are parents evenings.

I have a lot to do with the training of student teachers and would say that the PGCE and NQT years are the hardest, because planning etc takes you so long when you first start! I also agree with whoever said about being a perfectionist - sometimes we are our own worst enemies!

I don't think it's a bad idea for you to take up teaching to get a better w/l balance or more holidays - I would only be concerned if this was the only reason. Do you like working with kids? Have you been into a school recently to observe/help out? This would be a good idea if you could manage it!

Hope this helps and you come to a decision that's right for you!

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to answer my question! It's given me a lot to think about and I really appreciate all of your honesty.

CeeCee

I have a 20 month old son and I am a full time English teacher and am also a Head of Year. I would say that 3/5 days a week I am home by 4.30 at the latest. I moved out of London so I didn't have to commute so I know it always takes me 15 minutes to get home. I do work at night sometimes but sometimes I don't. I NEVER work during holidays. I always work though my lunchtimes. I have been teaching for 10 years though - I think the training now is harder and more intense. It's definitely dooable and the hours are more friendly than other jobs. IMO.

A primary teacher here - I would echo what the others have said - roughly 10 hrs a day and a few (or a 8, during report writing) hours at the weekend. I am a new teacher though, and not a particularly fast planner. I have just returned from mat leave (dd3) to pt, 3 full days per week. Dd3 is in nursery 8:30-4:00, when my MIL picks her up. I cut back because I thought I wouldn't be able to handle the work load and 3 children (7, 6 and 9 mths), as my dh works 60+ hrs a week. I am finding the work load more manageable (though it is odd not being responsible for a class!).

I'm a secondary teacher and work 2 days a week.
On the days I work I don't have any time with our 3 children - it's a rush to get out the door by 730, and at the end of the day it's all I can do to sort out their supper, get them washed/pjs/stories/brush teeth/listen to them read. I then am Knackered. Do minimal work in the evenings, all good intentions. I have a splurge of planning and work each term when I go into my school during the weekend.

I do no work during summer holidays, and not much during 1/2 terms either, so in that sense it's great.

Not planning to go back to full time teaching for a long time (youngest child is only 2)

I've been teaching for 12 years, 6 of those part time. For me it pays incredibly well (through all thresholds) and I like the break from home - I certainly don't view it as a 'career' at the moment though, and that suits me. I've worked really hard to get to this stage and I'm enjoying it.

My experience echoes that of everyone else really, but here's my tuppenceworth:
I had DS1 8 weeks ago and am in my second year of teaching (secondary English therefore ludicrous amounts of marking and planning) and am already crapping myself about going back in June. Fortunately I have family around who are just gagging to do my child care for me and a DH who works a 'normal' job but I honestly can't imagine what I'd do otherwise.
When I trained two years ago the single parents found it impossible unless their kids were older and able to look after themselves a bit. The parents that I work with now all manage OK but rely heavily on partners and extended family and all the PT teachers I know say that The Job just expands to fill in their time off any way.
That said, I can't wait to have my holidays off with my son and I earn decent money.