Advice on Interviewing for teaching jobs while pregnant

MrsPrice

Hello all.  I just completed my student teaching in a post baccalaureate endorsement program at my local university.  I have been approved for my teaching license in English and Journalism education for grades 6-12.  I am currently substitute teaching and have started my job search.  I am really looking for a job for the Fall 2012-2013 school year, but two English teacher jobs popped up for this semester.  I applied to both of the jobs and I have a phone interview with one school and a screening interview with the other school next week.   I am 6 months pregnant and I am due in May.  My question is during the interview process, when do I reveal to the employer that I am pregnant?  I know it is obvious to some, but they really aren't suppose to ask if I am pregnant.  Is it best to wait until a job offer is on the table, or to let them know up front in the interview, when they ask when I would be available to start working?  I will work up until I am due (May 3) and would want to continue with the position the following school year. Could you give me any advice on how I should go about handling this in current interviews?  I will be interviewing all semester to find a teaching position for the Fall including going to job fairs, but these two jobs that i have interviews are for this semester and I am not sure if the fact that I am pregnant will rule me out automatically.  Thanks for any help you can provide!

Dr.Loretta

Like you said, it's going to be obvious. I'd let them do the math in their head and decide what they want to do about it.

If they make you an offer, then you can remind them that you're pregnant, when you're due, and what your plans are (working up to your due date, continuing in the fall, etc.).

GL!

imimahoney

Dr.Loretta:

Like you said, it's going to be obvious. I'd let them do the math in their head and decide what they want to do about it.

If they make you an offer, then you can remind them that you're pregnant, when you're due, and what your plans are (working up to your due date, continuing in the fall, etc.).

GL!

I agree. Also, think about their school years. When do they get out and how much time will a sub be needed? That might help you understand their decision. 

I teach in New England where we don't get out until mid to late June, which means a sub for at least 6 weeks. They would probably not be too keen to hire someone who would leave with that much time left in the school year. 

erbear

You cannot, in good faith, apply for jobs that you will not be able to fulfill. I'd be pissed if I hired someone to work Jan.-June, only to find out that they would be leaving in May. That's a shiitty thing to do, and you will not get hired for a job in the fall.

I don't usually think you should flaunt your pregnancy, but in this case, please do not hide it. If they want to take a chance and hire you even though you can't fulfill the job, that's their choice, but they need to be able to make an informed choice.

MrsPrice

I was never going to hide the pregnancy and being 6 months pregnant I can't hide it anyway.  I know that legally the interviewer cannot come out and ask if I'm pregnant and what I plan on doing about it so my question is when I should bring it up.  It not unheard of for them to hire in the middle of the school year, a teacher at the school I student taught at was hired for a full-time teaching job and she went out on maternity leave a month after she was hired.  I just wanted to make sure I discussed it at the appropriate time during the interview process.

Joenali

I am going to assume that these positions are temporary, meaning just through the end of the school year. Think about it, these kids would potentially have 3 teachers. I would first ask if the position would continue for next year, if not have your baby and enjoy your time with baby and seek a more permanent position.

MarriedGirl2003

 I was in this position when I had my daughter.  I also thought it was obvisous and knew that people couldn't ask specifically.  But, it would have made me uncomfortable so when it came up naturally in conversation I disclosed and then reinterated how I was dedicated to teaching and how it was going to be my life profession and that I had every intention of teaching for a long time coming.

 

OUKatie

You're right, they can't ask you in the interview, but you also won't be protected by FMLA. I would be upfront in the interview about it at a point where it seems natural to discuss it. One, Joeneli is right. These kids have already had an upheaval this year. Two, they don't have to hold your job. If you are fired it will be very hard to find another position.

I'd definitely ask if the position will likely lead to a full-time position again next year. If so, that gives you a great opportunity to discuss how you will be having a baby in May so will not be there the last few weeks of school but will be 100% to start the 2012-2013 school year on time.

vanillacourage

When you have a mutually-agreeable offer in writing, remind them that you're pregnant and say that you'll need X weeks of maternity leave beginning around Y date in order to accept. It's what I did in September and it worked out fine.

That said, I was 10w not 6 months pregnant. Especially given that this job is only for the semester I would not get my hopes up about this position. They likely won't want to train you, line up a backup in case you deliver early, and then also line up someone to cover the last month of the year, right when the kids need continuity as they go into finals. Sorry but the timing is just really bad.