A Little MORE About Me...

I figured that I'd kick off the working mom features by telling you a little bit more about me. So...I answered the interview questions in order to give you a better idea of where I'm coming from and who I am. I have received several completed interview forms and can't wait to start featuring you guys! It's amazing the many different jobs, experiences, etc. that we all have! I hope that we can all learn from each other and that this will be of great benefit to all of us. So without further delay...my interview of ME...

Name:
Jess

Website:
This one! LOL

How many children:
1

Children's Names/Ages:
EG - 19 months

Work status:
Full Time

About my job:
I am a sixth grade public school special education teacher. Our school implements full inclusion, meaning that all special education students are taught in the regular classroom with a regular and special education teacher (for the subjects in which they have a need). I work with the Reading and English teachers (4 different teachers) and travel from class to class. It keeps me on my toes for sure! We share the teaching duties, so most students think they've just lucked out and have two teachers in their class (we tell them that the bigger classes needed an extra teacher...lol). I love what I do and enjoy working with the kids each day. Sure it's super stressful at times, but the job is rewarding and the schedule has allowed me to have more time at home than I might have with another profession.

My return to work:
Let me say first, that I would never want to repeat that experience! My husband and I decided to go ahead and try for a baby, understanding that our financial situation was not going to make a drastic change in a few years. I understood that I would have to continue to work, even though I've always dreamed of being a SAHM. Our financial situation just wouldn't allow that. Luckily, I was able to take the full 12 weeks of FMLA leave, and actually had some extra time built in. Because of when EG was born (September 18...EXACTLY 60 days/12 weeks of work days until the end of Christmas break...a miracle it happend that way!), I had about 15 weeks of leave. Our Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, and Christmas Break were all during my leave time and don't count against my FMLA leave days. About a week before I returned to work, I started taking EG to daycare (a home daycare around the corner from my school) for just an hour or so to get her used to Ms. Tammie. The first time I took her, for just an hour, I went to my moms and cried the whole time. Long story short, it took me about three weeks before I stopped sobbing uncontrollably when I dropped her off. The first day I actually returned to work was a nightmare! My co-workers still joke about how "fragile" I was those first few weeks. My principal said "good morning" to me (rather than asking how I was...that was obvious), and I burst into tears again. It was rough, but EG settled in nicely at daycare and LOVES being there.

Advice for new moms returning to work:
My best advice for moms preparing to return to work is just to say "hang in there" and understand that, no matter what people say, you are simply trying to do the best you can do for your family. I still can't wait to pick EG up every day, and get antsy when I leave her in the morning. But, it's definitely easier than those first days (and believe me I NEVER thought it would get easier), and your child will still love you just the same :) I have found, too, that the time I spend with EG is so precious, and I don't take any second for granted. I'm not sure that I would understand just HOW precious it is if I didn't work. Maybe I would, but I know that it's always in the forefront of my mind, and that can't be a bad thing at all!

Come back next week for our next working mom feature!