Are you a teacher about to go on leave and looking for a guide to maternity leave? First, congrats momma! While you might be feeling overwhelmed at the moment, the end goal will be so rewarding. With so many moving pieces, you may need help figuring out where to start. But fear not, because this comprehensive how-to guide will provide you with all the information you need to confidently take maternity leave as a teacher. From understanding your legal rights to communicating with your school and students, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make the process as smooth as possible. Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or just starting out, this guide will help you prepare for your time away from the classroom so that you can focus on the joys of motherhood without worrying about work. So sit back, relax, and let us guide you through the process of taking maternity leave as a teacher.
Hey teacher, before I share my maternity leave guide, I wanted to give you a shortcut to making maternity leave easy. One of the best ways to make your life easier on maternity leave is to have your substitute teach an insular unit while you are gone. Looking for an easy unit to implement? Check out my Independent Novel Study Unit. This bundle is the ultimate ELA independent novel study unit starter toolkit! In this bundle, you have all the resources you need to teach a novel unit right away. With detailed teacher guides and lesson plans, you can start using these reading activities in your class immediately. Plus check out the free bundle bonus: Independent Novel Study Unit Calendar. This resource gives you a day-by-day plan for the entire unit. In both the block schedule and year-long calendar format, you will see Common Core English standards, links to resources, and lesson overviews. There is no planning needed to start your novel study!
My Teacher Maternity Leave Experience
From Classroom to Cribside: My Teacher Journey Through Maternity Leave
As a momma of three, I have survived three maternity leaves. Each time, I learned a little more and did things a little better. I have been fortunate that each time, I have had my kiddos right near the end of the school year, so I created maternity leave plans that took my substitute out to the end of the year. While I was able to miss most of the craziness of May in the classroom, I needed to ensure that my substitute survived the end of the school year.
Giving up control of my classroom and ensuring that my students are getting what they need is critical. I had to create a system that would help me get everything ready. Getting everything out of my brain and implementing was really overwhelming the first time. However, by this third time, I knew what needed to be done. Plus, I should add that each time, I have left on maternity leave, it was during our state-mandated testing time. If I can trust a substitute during such a critical time in my classroom, then you can totally do this!
For each pregnancy, I create a vision for what I want my maternity leave to look like. I want to be able to just focus on my new baby and nothing else. That means that I get time off from all my other responsibilities. I do not need to worry about school at all. I give myself grace and ask others in my life to give me grace during my maternity leave. This is truly how I enjoyed my time.
Maternity Leave as a Teacher
I was able to walk away from my classroom confident that I was able to just focus on my baby and my family during that time. And that’s the vision that I want for you! I want you to envision what would make your maternity leave the best. Once you have that vision, let’s get ready to make that a reality. If you want step-by-step instructions, this guide will help you be prepared so you too can walk away on your last day and know it’s in good hands.
How to Prepare for Maternity Leave as a Teacher
Step #1: Understanding Your Maternity Leave Benefits
As a teacher, it is important to understand your maternity leave benefits in order to make informed decisions about your time away from the classroom. This includes understanding your legal rights, as well as any benefits that may be available to you through your employer.
Start by reviewing your employment contract to understand your school’s policies and procedures related to maternity leave. You should also review any applicable state or federal laws related to maternity leave.
By knowing what maternity leave benefits you have, you can make an informed decision as a family about how much time to take off. You want to consider how much paid time off you get, how much unpaid time, disability benefits, or others. One of the hard parts for me is that I have only paid time off for as many sick days and personal days as I have available. By my third kiddo, I did not have many days which is why I am so fortunate to be at the end of the school year.
Find what is best for you and what your family can afford as you determine what benefits you have so you can have a number of days in mind. Once you have an estimated number, you can start working on your maternity leave plan.
Step #2: Communicating with School Administration and Colleagues
Another important aspect of taking maternity leave as a teacher is communicating with your school administration and colleagues. This can help to ensure that your transition is as smooth as possible and that you have the support that you need during your absence. You know your administration, so make sure you keep them informed. I always make sure to meet with my principal before I publicly announce my pregnancy. I would hate for the administration to find this information out through social media.
By notifying your school administration and colleagues as early as possible about your anticipated leave of absence. This will help to ensure that they have enough time to make any necessary accommodations or modifications.
Next, work with your school administration to identify a qualified substitute teacher who is knowledgeable in your subject area. If you know anyone that you trust or who has been in your classroom before is a great start. For two of my maternity leaves, I had a returning education student teacher who had a college degree and became my substitute the day I went on maternity leave. If you are not fortunate enough to have a student teacher, think about those colleagues you know in your content area. Do you know any former students who are now a teacher looking for a job? How about a retired teacher you trust? While it is not your responsibility to find a substitute, your suggestion could help set up your classroom for success.
Step #3: Develop a Maternity Leave Plan for Your Classes
Now that you know your dates roughly and maybe who might be in your classroom, you are ready to start planning. Think about all the important information that you need to share with your substitute. The first document I create is my classroom procedures and expectations for each class. This plan should outline all the aspects of what makes your classroom run each day. Here are the things that I include in my document: attendance, independent reading, technology usage, learning platform procedures, grading, policies, and student notes.
Additionally, you should also consider strategies for managing your classroom and student behavior in your absence. This could include developing a behavior management plan, providing clear expectations and routines, and ensuring that your substitute teacher has access to all the resources they need to manage your classroom effectively.
Step #4: Creating Lesson Plans and Activities for Your Substitute
One of the keys to successful maternity leave as a teacher is to ensure that your students continue to make progress in your absence. This requires careful planning and organization of lesson plans and activities for your substitute.
Start by creating a comprehensive overview of the curriculum that you will be covering while you are away. This should include a detailed outline of the topics and concepts that your students will be learning, as well as any necessary materials or resources.
One of the best things that I do is plan out my units to end right before I leave. By ending a unit, I will have all the grading done for the last unit I teach. Also, my substitute can start on a stand-alone unit while I am gone. If you aren’t sure where to start, check out my Independent Novel Study Unit. Allowing students to read a novel as a class allows for flexibility and independent reading as a substitute. If you want to see how I teach this resource, check out my blog post How to Teach a Novel Unit That Engages High School Students.
Finally, create a series of daily lesson plans and activities that align with your curriculum. Be sure to provide your substitute with detailed instructions for each lesson, including objectives, materials, and assessment strategies. I also include links to resources and even points for grading any assignments. You want to make sure that your substitute does not have any questions or concerns because you are not expected to answer your email while on leave. Making everything clear helps to ensure your peaceful maternity leave.
Step #5: Preparing Your Students for Your Absence
You’ve spent a good amount of time creating a community feeling in your classroom and now you are leaving. Your students might be sad, disappointed, anxious, or maybe a little happy. Acknowledging their feelings and preparing them for the transition is essential to setting your substitute and your students for success.
After the fun announcement of you being pregnant, you need to set aside time to prepare your students. I had a countdown to Baby Rice in my classroom. Students could then see how close we were approaching my exit. We discussed frequently when I would be leaving and what that would look like for them.
We held multiple conversations where students shared their fears and concerns. We also brainstormed as a class what they could do to make the substitute feel more welcome. We also spent time reviewing my policies and expectations as a reminder to my students of what I want from them while I was gone.
I was fortunate that my district provided two transition days where my substitute came into my classroom while I was still there. I was able to give her a rundown of what my classroom looks like each day. The students were able to meet her and get to learn more about her while I was still there. Plus, after those two days, we as a class had a conversation about what they wanted my substitute to know about them. Don’t be afraid to ask for at least one transitional day to help get your students and your substitute on the same page.
Finally, be honest and open with your students about your maternity leave. Explain to them the unknowns that could occur and the things that they can control. Encourage them that this change is something that they can do, and that change can be good. Let your students know that you are already proud of them and they are helping you out by taking the new substitute under their wing. Make them feel like they have some control in the situation and they will impress you.
Step #6: Enjoy Your Time Off with the Baby
Perhaps the best part is the start of maternity leave. If you can, select your last day (I know babies come when they want to). This date gives you and your students an end date to help prepare everyone. At the end of the day, set your automatic reply on your email, take home your personal items, say farewell to your classroom, and shut that door. Momma, you are now ready to focus solely on that beautiful baby.
Remember that vision that you created for yourself. Even if things don’t go to plan and some parts are harder than you expected, your focus is on the baby. Maternity leave is all about you! The biggest thing to remember for this time is that you are not required to do anything related to school during this time. Set that boundary for yourself and make it clear to your administration, your colleagues, and your substitute. Do not look at your school email and certainly do not feel obligated to answer any communication with your school. Gently remind them that you are on maternity leave and trying to focus on keeping a tiny human alive.
Enjoy your time off with your baby and let the rest go!
Step #7: Returning to Work: Transitioning Back into the Classroom
As your maternity leave comes to an end, it is important to prepare for your transition back into the classroom. This can help to ensure that you are able to resume your teaching duties with confidence and ease. I recommend starting this transition the week before you return.
Start by communicating with your school administration and colleagues about your return to work. This should include a detailed plan for transitioning back into your teaching duties, as well as any necessary accommodations or modifications. Now is the time to check your email and sort through the tasks that you need to complete.
Next, take time to review your curriculum and lesson plans to ensure that you are prepared to resume teaching. Consider meeting with your substitute teacher to discuss any changes or updates that may have occurred during your absence.
Finally, be sure to take care of yourself during this transition period. Remember that it may take some time to adjust to your new roles as both a mother and a teacher, and that it’s okay to ask for help and support as needed.
Resources for Teachers on Maternity Leave
Taking maternity leave as a teacher can be a complex and challenging experience. But momma, you and your baby are so worth it! I hope that you feel better prepared and now have a clear plan for how to prepare for your maternity leave. Once you have that sweet baby, please send me a DM @theteacherrewrite on Instagram so I can see your beautiful tiny human. You can always see what other great things I am working on in my classroom by checking out my blog.
If you want a quick and easy win when planning a unit for your substitute, don’t forget to check out my Independent Novel Study Unit. This resource provides you and your substitute with day-by-day lesson plans and links to all the resources so your plans are already written for you.
Momma, you are so ready. So take a deep breath, stay organized, and enjoy your well-deserved time away from the classroom. Use this guide to maternity leave and get ready to meet your beautiful little one!
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