Back to the chalkface?

Maybe the phrase should be updated? Back to the interactive whiteboard?

This school year is already going by far too quickly, and come next September both girls will be in full time school. That means I need to rethink my employment arrangements and aim to be at work when they are at school rather than when they are not. So it looks like I will be heading back to the classroom in the not too distant future. I am excited and nervous about this at the same time. It's already been almost three and a half years since I last stood in front of a class, and over five years since I last taught a GCSE or A level class.

I've been doing a good deal of thinking about what hours I would like to try and aim for. I think the most suitable would be close to, but not quite, full time. When Caitlin was little I worked the equivalent of two days per week, and I loathed almost every minute of it. Being there so little meant I didn't feel completely part of the school community. Full time work, especially from the outset, may be more of a challenge than I can cope with unless I miraculously turn into someone super organised in the next couple of months.

I feel a long way from someone with a career at the moment. I was going through some old work files on my computer the other evening and I came across a memo I had written to other staff about their A-level classes. I couldn't believe it was me who wrote that! I sounded like I knew what I was talking about! The maths bit I'm not rusty on because of my tutoring, but in every other aspect of the job I am seriously out of practise. There will be a lot of work to do between now and when I start teaching. I am already looking around for good ideas, resources and other useful bits, and remembering the things I struggled with when I was working before and trying to put them right before I start. Then there is also the question of organising my home as well....I think I need to have a better starting point with that too. I will need to write a CV and a detailed job application letter, and consider any before and after school child care the girls might need.

I do feel enthusiastic about the whole thing. I know I would be bored to tears pottering around the house when the girls are at school, and I do enjoy my job. It is varied, challenging, often frustrating but at other times oh so rewarding. I like the thought of having more money, and can spend it several times over, and especially like the thought of earning enough to pay someone else to do some of my housework.

It will be wierd to be 'Miss' again.....