Third year art teacher working on 2nd baby.

Linda - posted on 04/22/2010

I am an Art Teacher (K-12) but I live in Cleveland, OH area. Are you looking for someone to take your coverage?? Wish that I lived in the area and could help you.





Linda

Beth - posted on 04/20/2010

I teach PE in CT and have two little girls ages 2 1/2 and 14 months. I took a six month maternity leave with both of my babies. I returned last fall full time. It definitely gets busier with two but you learn to do the "dance" a little bit better. My time at home is quality and all about my kids. There are days I feel like I'm doing well at both jobs and then I have days where I don't feel as confident. It is challenging but totally worth it and the time with my little ones is going by so fast. Good luck to you.

Debbyie - posted on 04/18/2010

This is my 10th year teaching, and my 4th teaching art. I taught 5th and 6th grades before applying for my current position. I think I might be a little bit crazy, because I have two girls who will be 5 and 2 in July, and am planning to have one more child.

I agree that having clear boundaries about when you do work is a must, and I think it's worth it to stay a bit longer to finish planning and grading to not take projects home to grade. I figure it would take me an hour at home to do what could be done in half the time if I stay anyway, with the net effect that I am actually able to spend more time with my kids. I'm also department chair, so I have had to learn to delegate; my first impulse is always to do everything myself but I've had to let that go a little. I make sure I get a TA, and fortunately I have a great department who is willing to transport work to shows etc. I also just brought the girls with me to the first part of Open House, which was from 6 to 9. I wouldn't have gotten to see them otherwise (not something I would do for Back to School Night though).

I can tell you the transition back into school was actually easier with my second. I remember thinking with my first that i used to be a pretty good teacher, and when my oldest was a baby I remember crying and telling my husband that now I was bad mom AND a bad teacher. I feel like I've gotten a little more of a handle on things though, and I'm grateful that I have a job that allows me to be a stay-at-home mom during the summer. Good luck :)

Delora - posted on 04/18/2010

I'm not an art teacher, but I do teach 2nd grade. My children are almost 2 years apart (2 yr old and 5 month old). It was very hard at the beginning, especially when maternity leave was over. There are days now that are great and days that I want to run away. Now that my 5 mos old is getting to a place where she can do things (rolling over, scooting across the floor) my 2 yr old is interested in her enough to want to play and entertain her, so life at home is settling down. I didn't or don't have the option to stay at home because my family needs the money of two incomes and actually my hubby works 2 jobs to afford daycare. The only advice I can give you is to plan as much in advance at work and prep at the end of the day for the next. I have made a rule that at home I am mommy. If grading papers can't get done between my planning or a 30 minutes after bedtime for my kids, it will have to wait for another day. I spend all day away from my children and when I am home they deserve to have their mommy and spend time with me. Good luck and let me know if I can help you in anyway.

Erica - posted on 04/16/2010

Thank you ... I do feel really lucky. Teaching in NJ has become much harder as well because of all the cuts that have been made. If you have a solid position stay...I'm only going back to keep my foot in the door. Good luck with all of your future plans! :-).

Kritzia - posted on 04/15/2010

I really wish that was an option for me. My husband has a BFA, but has been a framer on weekends and afternoons and watching my son during the day. Honestly, it seems that teaching is the only solid work out there for parents involved in the arts (at least in CT.) I LOVE teaching art, but I don't care for the legalities of the school and the administration. It can all become so unartistic and formal. I feel like we spend a lot of time trying to comply to all of the other subjects. I often find myself trying to justify why what I teach is important. Good for you though. I'm so glad that you're able to take this time off with your son. Nothing can buy you that time. It's SO worth.

Erica - posted on 04/14/2010

I am an art teacher at a private school in Southern New Jersey. I love teaching art but have taken the year off to raise my son. I am debating about going back next year (if they offer me part time then I will) but I would rather be home.