A Guide to Teaching, Parenting and Creating Family Friendly Schools : The MaternityTeacher PaternityTeacher Project Handbook

At The MTPT Project we know that teaching __can__ be a sustainable career choice for parents, and in this essential handbook, we show you how. Supported by case studies celebrating the best that the family friendly schools and happy teachers in our community have to offer, this book is a lifeline for both educators aspiring to combine their passion for teaching with becoming a parent, and the school leader who wants to empower them. However you become a parent, or choose to grow your family and your career, this handbook will provide you with the guidance and cheerleading that you need to fulfil your personal and professional aspirations. The book is divided into nine chapters, guiding readers from the first considerations of family planning, all the way through to the reality that some teachers and leaders may choose to leave classrooms for good. Each chapter includes: * the latest research on working families * legalities associated with different stages of working parenthood (including discrimination and how to avoid it as an employer and address it as an employee) * case studies from our community * suggestions for individuals and schools * recommended further reading. Each chapter will help you to navigate the journey from planning a family, to stepping in and out of teaching to suit your parenting needs, to creating family friendly working environments, whatever your role in school. With its mixture of research-informed solutions, hints and tips, this text is perfect for colleagues embarking on their parenting journey and school leaders who want to take practical steps to retain and empower valued colleagues. Supported by case studies celebrating the best that the family friendly schools and happy teachers in our community have to offer, this book is a lifeline for both educators aspiring to combine their passion for teaching with becoming a parent, and the school leader who wants to empower them. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Dedication 6 Table of Contents 8 Acknowledgements 9 All about The MTPT Project 10 Author Biographies 12 Foreword 14 Introduction 18 1 Planning for a Baby: Should We ‘Leave before We Leave’? 27 2 Expectant Teachers: Breeders or Leaders? 53 3 What Is the Right Way to Do Childcare Leave? 86 4 Maternity/PaternityCPD – Celebrating Choice 121 5 Rate of Return: Investing in Colleagues Returning from Parental Leave 146 6 Work Like You Don’t Have Kids... 177 7 ‘Family Friendly’, or Simply Good Leadership? 212 8 Baby, Come Back! Supporting Teachers Returning to the Classroom 247 9 Time to Say Goodbye? 275 Afterword – ‘You Can Only Be What You Can See’ 298 Index 304 Teaching;,Parenting;,Family,Friendly,Schools;,Expectant,Teachers;,Childcare,Leave;,Maternity/PaternityCPD;,Parental,Leave;,Rate,of,Return Teaching,Parenting,Family Friendly Schools,Expectant Teachers,Childcare Leave,Maternity/PaternityCPD,Parental Leave,Rate of Return