Teacher Mommies....

If you had the choice of having your own classroom & working full time (5 days a week) in a city school
or subing say 3 days a week ( or how ever many day you choose, or get called) in a LI school...what would you do?

I am on maternity leave until Sept. & have been teaching for 5 years.
Dh & I are moving to Massapequa in 2 weeks ( We currently live in Queens).
I am dreading the return to work, literally getting myself sick over it & I know its a long time away.

Is it better if I try subing closer to home or if I have my own classroom.

Just looking for suggestions
TIA

Re: Teacher Mommies....

While the commute is a con, you have tenure, benefits, sick days and a pension with full-time status.

All of those benefits make all of the difference in the world and the difference of at least a few hundred thousand dollars over your lifetime

I'd keep the FT position while looking for another FT position on LI (yes, I know they are hard to come by).

I'll be returning FT in the fall to a high school job that will probably have three preps and a 40 minute commute each way but I've been there for 11 years, have tenure, am the third senior member in my dept, am maxed out on the salary scale and have NYS Empire health benefits and the best pension in the state. Trust me when I say, I REFUSE to put in the hours I used to.

My MIL (retired) subs locally and it's $90 a day... after taxes, it's just not worth it.

Re: Teacher Mommies....

For me, I know I am not the subbing type. I hate filling in for people. I would dread it and hate it. For you, if subbing doesn't bother you & keeps you close to home then go for it!

Re: Teacher Mommies....

I am a full time teacher now and i would give it up for subbing if it would be guaranteed 3-4 days/ week

Re: Teacher Mommies....

I am on maternity leave now....been teaching in the city for 6 years. I understand not wanting to commute because I live in Centereach

If you could afford it I would take a leave of absence...you are entitled to 5 years per child I believe and they will hold your position (not necessarily in your school) and you can per diem sub in a district on LI. I think that would be an ideal situation. I personally cannot afford to give up my paycheck so while on leave I am trying to get a job out here.

Hope this helps!

Message edited 4/27/2008 9:40:53 PM.

Re: Teacher Mommies....

I have never subbed & know it probably totally stinks, but Im just trying to out weigh the pros & cons of it.

Re: Teacher Mommies....

u are tenured right?

Re: Teacher Mommies....

Re: Teacher Mommies....

I am tenured...

I actually am already on a leave right now, because I went out in November & had DS in Late January (so I used up my FMLA & sick days)

Ultimately I want to work out in LI, but know its impossible to get a job. DH is not thrilled about me just staying home, but if I sub out in LI, he is being very supportive.

I know its easier to stay where I am & where I am comfortable, but its just after having DS, I kinda feel like even if I have one more day a week w/ him its worth it.

But again, I have never subbed & dont really know how difficult it is ( which Im sure it is). I think after 5 years it would be hard to give up my own space..

AHHHH...this is why I need suggesstions....

Thanks again!!

Re: Teacher Mommies....

I am in the same boat as you.

Re: Teacher Mommies....

I agree w/ Lucky above...I would HATE subbing & dread it anytime I got the call...I would hate not knowing what school I'd be in & what grade level & then not knowing the kids' names or what you'd be teaching that day...to be it would be a nightmare.

Yet I too commuted from Suffolk to Queens (Woodside) for over a year & it was brutal...there were days I was practically falling asleep on the way home (when I was pregnant). Yet I loved having my own classroom & I was familiar w/ the school, kids, administration, etc. which was a definite benefit.

Tough call....

Re: Teacher Mommies....

GET OUT!!!!!!! u know my view....ur child needs you. and u have an unsupportive administration. I SAY SUB!!! we can sub together :)lol

Re: Teacher Mommies....

I feel your pain in a slightly different way. I do not have a permanent room but I subbed for a year before taking on cases (i'm also special ed certified) through 3 different agencies. In September there were no cases available so I took 2 maternity leaves while I was pregnant myself. I was then asked to take another leave however due to early bed rest I had to turn it down. But it was sooo wonderful to have my own room even if it was only for months at a time here and there. The school that I was in on Long Island really liked me and I completely had a chance to get in there but now that DD is here I don't have the child care for me to go back and try for my own room. I do however have cases coming in like crazy and this is easier because I can schedule them around when DH is home, or my mom, etc. However this is definitly not my dream job, I want to be in a school but I have no one to leave DD with and cannot afford daycare/sitter/nanny.

If I was you I'd stick to your full time job and try to find one closer to home in the meantime because in all honesty I have subbed for almost 2 years and it was the worst thing I've ever done. I'd rather stay home and deal with having no money then sub in all honesty.

Re: Teacher Mommies....

If you can afford to only work a few days a week and take the pay cut from full to part time, then I would sub. If it meant spending more time home with DS, I would do it in a heartbeat. Also, you can get your foot in the door in a LI district which could lead to a FT job.

Re: Teacher Mommies....

i also hate subbing BUT i'd do it so i could be with my ds more and you'd also have sooo much less work and resposibility!

Re: Teacher Mommies....

I know how you feel. I've been on extended child care leave for almost 5 years. I have tenure and have been teaching for about 7 years. I actually took leave after my second was born and then continued the leave when I had my third 2.5 years later. I was told by my school sect (I'm in Queens) that I have to return by the time my son is 4. (Have one more year to decide).

For me, I have looked during that time for a f/t position out in the LI. It is definitly hard. I found that a lot of the schools either hire their long term subs or hire newbies b/c they don't want to pay a "new" tenured teacher what they are worth. I know that in my district where my kids go, their were a bunch of layoffs b/c of the budget....even to three tenured teachers that I know. They were just the ones on the bottom and with the least amount of experience.

I did sub for about 2 years awhile ago, it's definitly not a walk in the park....for me I don't think I'd do it again. It's definitly a hard decision and only one that you can make. Good luck!