Any other k-12 teacher mamas out there?

[c'est moi]

I'm starting my student teaching in a few weeks. I've been looking for awhile, but there doesn't seem to be any threads dedicated to k-12 educators.

I'm getting really nervous about how I'm going to balance student teaching with having my 12 mo DD at home as well.

[wytchywoman]

I am a K-2 Special Ed teacher. I won't lie to you, it's tough in the beginning, but once you get your routine down then it becomes easier. Good luck with your student teaching!

[Belia]

I'm a high school guidance counselor, so that's close, right?

Student teaching will be tough. You're going to have a pretty steep learning curve and have to create everything from scratch. (As in... you won't be able to repeat lessons from years past that worked well for you, etc.)

But now that I've been in the field for a while (ummm..... 15 years or so ) I really like being an educator and a parent. I feel like I have enough time with my son, both on a daily basis and as I look over the flow of the calendar year, that I'm still his primary parent even though he spends quite a few hours in daycare.

Best of luck and peace to you and your LO.

[c'est moi]

wytchy and belia, thanks for your replies!

i do have at least two things working in my favor. i have been substitute teaching for the three years while i was in my program. i tend to form relationships with schools and teachers, so i've subbed for 4-6 weeks on three different occasions. that's a major boost to the confidence, plus i have been exposed to dozens and dozens of lessons. certainly not enough to get through an entire student teaching term, but at least it's not TOTALLY from scratch. also, i've been placed at a school that i already have a great relationship with teachers, staff, and administration. i already get wonderful support as a sub and i am confident it will continue during my student teaching.

my main "anxiety" is transitioning to mostly at home mom, to wohm. it's going to be hard!

[Holland73]

I'm a first grade teacher in the middle of my 3rd year.

I actually found student teaching pretty easy, due to my experience teaching overseas as an ESL teacher. So, I imagine you will also find student teaching easier than most, because of your experience as a substitute and, even moreso, since you already have a relationship with the school where you are student teaching.

As for transititioning from SAHM to WOHM, well I was only a SAHM when my ds was 6 months, which was over 6 years ago... so, I don't have too much to advice to give on that one. Sorry.

Good luck!

[blizzard_babe]

I'm a certified teacher, though I've moved into a district office position this year. I was pregnant through one year of teaching, and had an infant for the next. It was rough, being pregnant-exhausted and teaching, but my students were WONDERFUL about it. When I got big, if I'd drop something on the floor, they'd pick it up for me rather than watch me grunt and struggle.

My first year teaching with a baby was a bit more difficult... it was hard coming into work and dealing with a whole bunch of needy little bodies when I had spent the entire night snuggled up next to a much smaller needy little body, trying to get him to sleep more than two hours at a stretch. On a few occasions (emphasis on the "few," it loses effect if you say it every day ), I would just be completely open and honest with them and tell them that my baby didn't sleep much, and that I'd appreciate some help. Many of them had younger brothers and sisters, and they would be on their best behavior that day. They'd even remind each other that, "Sara's baby was awake lots last night, so she needs our help." Bring pictures of your baby for your desk or whatever area they give you... kids LOVE knowing little tidbits about their teachers outside-of-school lives.

Typing this is making me miss them. Not that they didn't drive me batty a whole bunch of the time, but my desk and office just aren't as sweet as a room full of little ones.