Returning after leave

[cherryvalance]

Tell me how your adjustment was. Did it totally suck?  

I'm going back on Monday after missing September and October for maternity leave. I started my career as a maternity leave replacement, so I've been in the position of jumping in mid-year, but that was thirteen years ago. I primarily teach juniors and seniors and know most of the kids in my most challenging class, but I'm concerned about regaining control after having a sub for two months. 

Or you can lie to me and tell me it will totally be great.

[nellgirl]

I came back from mat leave in February of this year. I’d been off for one year (Canada). Honestly, it was brutal. My sub was awful. She let the kids (grade 4/5) do whatever they wanted, and the class was in rough shape. They were openly mocking certain kids, no one was completing homework, they were rude to one another and staff, and just generally a mess.
This year, this particular sub has gotten a full-time position at our school, and I am even less impressed by her.
In the end, and with a lot of hard work, we got to a pretty good spot last year.

[bethaboo]

I had the same scenario when I took leave - gone for most of September and all of October.

When I returned, I had the kids fill out a “while you were out” form about their behavior, lessons they had learned and any big life changes they had experienced. I thought it was a nice way to get to know them.

I kind of treated the first few weeks like the first few weeks of school again - reestablishing rules and routines, getting to know you activities.

In the end, the transition back was fine and those kids ended up being one of my favorite groups.

[imimahoney]

I returned in mid october after missing the 7 weeks as well. And while it's a hard adjustment, it gets old fast. Honestly, by the end of the week it was like I was never out.

[cherryvalance]

Nov 4, 2017 8:20:31 GMT -5 bethaboo said:

I had the same scenario when I took leave - gone for most of September and all of October.

When I returned, I had the kids fill out a “while you were out” form about their behavior, lessons they had learned and any big life changes they had experienced. I thought it was a nice way to get to know them.

I kind of treated the first few weeks like the first few weeks of school again - reestablishing rules and routines, getting to know you activities.

In the end, the transition back was fine and those kids ended up being one of my favorite groups.

This is great to hear and I love the idea of "While You Were Out" form.  I'm coming back on a three day week, and students are only in session two of those days, so that combined with a benchmark essay will help all of us transition.  

I was thinking about just taking the time to reestablish routines, but then I second-guessed myself because it's so late in the year and I don't want to waste time, but I know it will help in the long run.

Nov 4, 2017 9:42:57 GMT -5 imimahoney said:

I returned in mid october after missing the 7 weeks as well. And while it's a hard adjustment, it gets old fast. Honestly, by the end of the week it was like I was never out.

This makes me feel so much better! Thanks!

[taratru]

If you have a kick ass sub, then really it's not that bad. I was out for 8 weeks with a sub who taught AP Lit for 20 years and it was like I was never even gone in terms of the kids. It was much harder for me to get used to being with them again!

[grover]

Hope today went well!

[cherryvalance]

Thanks, grover!

I chose to come back this week because we always have a PD day on Election Day and Thursday and Friday are convention days. Yesterday ended up being great (besides the whole leaving the baby thing). It's our third year of major schedule changes, so the day flew by with introductory stuff and I'll give a diagnostic writing prompt tomorrow. Plus, heaving taught there for thirteen years my reputation preceded me .

Thanks for all the advice! I'm relieved it was easier than I expected.