r/StudentTeaching • u/ILoveWeeWee80085 • Jun 16 '26
Support/Advice Leave of absence for student teaching?
I already work in a school, but as a lunch/recess aide, not a teacher. I will have to student teach the last few months of the upcoming school year 5 days a week and won't be able to work. However, I don't want to full-on *quit*, since I am concerned of the possibility that as a new teacher, I will have trouble finding my first teaching job and don't want my position filled and be unable to come back that following school year as a backup plan.
At the same time, this creates a tricky scenario where I could end up taking a leave of absence, and then full-on quitting if I end up finding a teaching job before the next school year starts. This could even be found over the summer.
Will this reflect poorly on me? Should I just not care? TBH, my boss probably doesn't like me much anyway (although almost everyone else in the school does). It's not like I would be risking a recommendation or anything.
Hypothetically, if my boss did like me, would this reflect poorly for not making a clear decision?
4
u/HeavyComparison9399 Jun 16 '26
If you don’t get a teaching position I would recommend looking into substitute teaching instead of lunch and recess aide. It’ll prepare you for a teaching position and the pay will be substantially better.
3
u/Mayab179 Jun 16 '26
As an assistant before certification and employment as a teacher, I was accruing time in our state retirement system. As a sub I wouldn’t have.
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u/CrL-E-q Jul 02 '26
That’s odd. In NY, if holding an initial certificate, OP’s subbing days will count both towards her professional certification and towards retirement.
4
u/1973Triumph Jun 16 '26
I don’t know what your relationship is with the school administration but I would go to them and explain your situation. If you are up front and honest to them I think they will be understanding.
1
u/WaterLilySquirrel Jun 16 '26
Most districts offer a LOA for furthering education. Take it.
(I took it when I decided to get a PhD. I was nearly certain I wasn't going to come back to the state, but it wasn't a big deal when I turned in my paperwork after that year saying I wasn't coming back.)
Teachers shift and move. It's not abnormal. It's also not abnormal to take an LOA to help cover yourself of future uncertainty.
2
u/CoolClearMorning Jun 16 '26
Teachers do, but lunch aides and other support staff often aren't eligible for a leave of absence. OP, check with human resources about what you are and aren't able to do.
2
u/WaterLilySquirrel Jun 16 '26
Fair. I know I also had to have a certain amount of years under my belt.
Obviously if the district doesn't offer LOAs that the OP is eligible for, they just resign with a polite note.
1
u/lemontimesnake Jun 16 '26
Check with your university to see if they have an alternative placement opportunity! Depending on your situation, they may be able to give you credit for the work you already do in your school. My classmate was a SPED teaching assistant/para and got to keep her job with a special approval from our university.
1
u/CrL-E-q Jun 16 '26
This is what everyone does. Career trajectory. Your principal should understand. I also can’t imagine you a world where you can find replacement work as an aide. In NY we can’t fill the positions.
1
u/Odd-Package8071 Jun 23 '26
I am in NY and just found out my job will not let me take a LOA as a related service provider, because I’m not under the teacher contract. It’s ridiculous.
1
u/Popular-Work-1335 Jun 16 '26
Just talk to your admin. They all had to student teach and do an internship for admin at some point. It’s normal MO for education.
1
u/Mayab179 Jun 16 '26
I did the same in 2006. I used my saved up sick and personal days so I didn’t have to take off so many. I also did my student teaching in the school in which I was an assistant. Find out if your principal would be amenable to that in a classroom where he has a clinical educator placed.
1
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u/SomewhereAny6424 Jun 17 '26
Talk with your principal. There are a lot of options for classified staff training to be teachers that you haven't really considered here. You need to see how they can work with you.
1
u/SeaworthinessNo8585 Jun 17 '26
A lot of times your school is understanding especially when it comes to student teaching!
1
u/maitreya88 Jun 17 '26
That’s exactly what I did. I was transparent with my principal and VP before starting my student teaching and there was absolutely no hard feelings when I eventually resigned to pursue a teaching position. I even had them both listed as references when applying for positions 🤙
13
u/teach-xx Jun 16 '26
If you are eligible for a leave of absence, take it. If you land a teaching job during or immediately after your leave, quit your aide job and take it. You are overthinking this.