I'm a middle school teacher- librarian (I teach in addition to traditional librarian duties). I worked in an elementary school before my present position.
I am at 6 weeks right now and am not ready to go back, not even in 2 weeks when I am supposed to report. My main fear is the kids accidentally bumping into me, but there's also the level of exhaustion you feel when trying to heal. Everything you do takes extra effort and teaching is something that requires you to be present.
I am also wrestling with asking for more time, as it might be difficult to get a sub during this COVID thing, but I think the sooner you address it the better.
This is what I would do if I were you:
Schedule your surgery the week of Thanksgiving or early December. That way, the kids will have gotten to know you and you will have classroom routines established. If you do it right before Thanksgiving, you can take advantage of the breaks already built in to the school year, and it gives you time to meet the long term sub and get them acclimated to the way your classroom runs. The sub can then teach for 3-4 weeks, and then pick it up again in early January until your body is ready to go back.
Just my 2 cents...
Full disclosure-- I have the additional issue of nerve damage (rare complication), but this is still how I would feel with just the hip replacement issue.
Good luck!
I am at 6 weeks right now and am not ready to go back, not even in 2 weeks when I am supposed to report. My main fear is the kids accidentally bumping into me, but there's also the level of exhaustion you feel when trying to heal. Everything you do takes extra effort and teaching is something that requires you to be present.
I am also wrestling with asking for more time, as it might be difficult to get a sub during this COVID thing, but I think the sooner you address it the better.
This is what I would do if I were you:
Schedule your surgery the week of Thanksgiving or early December. That way, the kids will have gotten to know you and you will have classroom routines established. If you do it right before Thanksgiving, you can take advantage of the breaks already built in to the school year, and it gives you time to meet the long term sub and get them acclimated to the way your classroom runs. The sub can then teach for 3-4 weeks, and then pick it up again in early January until your body is ready to go back.
Just my 2 cents...
Full disclosure-- I have the additional issue of nerve damage (rare complication), but this is still how I would feel with just the hip replacement issue.
Good luck!