Hi all, I will be starting the year on maternity leave, and will return in November. Have you had this experience before? If so, did they say the first teacher was your long term sub, or just didn't mention you at all? Sometimes they make comments that I may not be coming back but need to give them 30 days notice although I keep making it super clear that I will be back. They've had a few teachers change their minds, but financially we just can't do that. How did it work to begin maternity leave at the beginning of the year? Mine is even more complicated, because I'll be teaching the same grade as my daughter, so I'll be there as a parent during pickup in the afternoons.
I am not sure! I was on maternity leave at the end of the year, so I was already established. I would assume they would inform the parents that it is a long-term sub and that you will be returning in November. I would try to be as involved with the LTS as possible so that you are in the loop with the classroom and all that. I would also keep informing admin that you WILL be returning and to not tell anyone else otherwise.
Maybe you could go to back to school night before school starts, so that you can still meet the parents and students. I'm sure they would be happy to meet you and be more understanding to your situation.
The person who starts with your students is referred to as a long term sub. They will usually follow what you leave for them. I would suggest writing a letter to all your parents at the beginning of the year explaining the situation so that they know a little about you and that you are returning in November.
I went into labor at school one week into the school year. My daughter was a month early. I had two subs...the first quit after two weeks, I was allowed to hire the second one. My son was also in my building and we lived thirty miles away, so I picked him up. I would go early on Monday morning and do lesson plans before school for the week. Another teacher graded my papers, but she had them ready for me to see on Friday so I could monitor my students. I met with parents at conferences and at back to school night.
I did this! My son was born Aug 2 and I went back Nov 3rd. They never referred to her as their teacher after I got back, but I had gone into the 1st grade room (I taught 2nd at the time) and told the class I was going to be with my son for a while but I'd be back. It was VERY clear she was a sub and not their full time teacher.
My twins were born on 8.31 and school started a few days later. I created a VERY detailed binder that outlined every procedure I use in my classroom, my schedule, my pacing guide for the time I would be out. I wrote the welcome letter myself and I came to open house and did the presentation for the parents. I think there was a lot of speculation that I would not be returning that year because I was having twins and also because I had taken a year when my son was born, but it was never a doubt in my mind because I carry the insurance. Good luck!
I would be there for the meet and greet night. Spend some time with your sub. Establish curriculum he/she will cover. A timeline for each subject. Then you will know what to expect when you return. Offer the sub the materials you have used in the past but do not expect the sub to use it all. If you are lucky, your sub will have an great idea or three to add (and make it all!).
I started last year on maternity leave. I was always referred to as the teacher of record. Just be sure to stop by a few times while on leave, give your long term sub DETAILED procedures and plans, and be in constant communication with her. I'd even suggest stopping in for a few hours here and there to get to know the kiddos a little and maybe do some assessments with them so you know what to expect when you return. I'm in a similar situation AGAIN this year (yes, I was dumb and didn't think I could get pregnant while breastfeeding...lesson learned). I'm due in October though, so I'll be there for a few weeks, then gone for a few weeks. AND, I'm at a new school in a new district. Oh, AND I haven't told my P yet because I just got my contract (didn't want to disclose until I actually had the job) and turned it in on Friday and she's off campus until end of July. (I have left her a voicemail and an email to call me so we could chat, but she hasn't responded yet.)
I started the year once on maternity leave and returned in October. I taught kindergarten and went in and conducted the beginning-of-the-year orientation sessions and also did some testing of my students so they would know me. My sub was introduced as my sub. Both my sub and I set up my classroom. I had taken photographs at the end of the prior year and also typed up information on how I taught procedures. I wrote detailed plans for the first couple of weeks and then gave her an outline of lessons for the rest of the time. She was a retired teacher who previously taught at my school so she knew a lot but hadn't taught K before.
Two of my 2nd grade colleagues will be on maternity leave during the first few months of the year. They've both told me that they'll certainly be attending Back-to-School Night (along with their long term sub).
My sub never referred to my class as hers. She posted pictures of me and my baby around the room. I visit on Friday afternoon most weeks for thirty minutes or so. I reviewed their week with them. I was lucky my peers were incredible! They took over and were so wonderful.
