I'm going to be really honest with you as fellow public school teacher.

I am a public school teacher in my 31st year of teaching. During the period when I was least stable, I continued to work, only missing perhaps a week a year due to hospitalization. It is hard on students and other teachers when a teacher is out for a prolonged period; thus, administration's frustration with teachers that have to go on extended leave. Illnesses happen to many teachers, and they can be supported through those though. Hopefully, once you return, you'll be back to a regular schedule. If, however, it becomes a situation where you start having to go on extended leave several times a year, that becomes much more troublesome. I was fortunate enough to only have to miss short periods of time, and my administration was always very supportive because they had confidence of my return to full service and ability.

When possible, try to go in and prepare lesson plans or help with planning; it will go a long way toward showing a desire and willingness to make things work best for all involved. I've known many teachers, even in the midst of chemotherapy, to come in once or twice a week to confer with the long-term sub and help with planning.

I don't know how Maryland teaching contracts work. In Texas, generally you are not on continuing contract with a school district until you've passed the 3 year mark. Teachers can be dismissed in those first 3 years fairly easily, and poor attendance for whatever reason is a common reason for contracts being denied. Be sure you know the terms of your contract, and if you are unionized (we are not in Texas), be sure to check with your union representative to be sure you are advocated for and accommodated for as is your legal right.

Would it be possible to attend half days or M/W/F for these next few weeks rather than missing full time? That might be a way to keep the psychiatric support going while continuing to work. Sometimes doctors don't live in the real world we do, and we simply have to tell them they have to find a plan B because missing more work is jeopardizing our income. They don't like it, but sometimes you just have to put your foot down.

If you are finding working in this particular teaching environment too stressful, I would encourage you to work on a transfer as soon as possible. As you know, transfers aren't always immediately available, but start talking to human resources and let them know a transfer is needed. Remind them of your master's training. Most districts have personnel that work less with students and more with teacher training or in other administrative positions. Perhaps there is some position available you could be considered for, but again, you will need to show an ability to be in attendance regularly. You might also consider a different district that might have positions open more conducive for your life.

As far as teaching and parenting goes, I get that. I raised three sons while teaching. I've found ways to be sure I take as little work home as possible. It may mean I go in early and stay a bit late. It may mean enlisting the help of your husband in the evenings if you are married so that you have time to get work done. It may mean your daughter goes to bed half an hour earlier or you stay up a bit later. Meetings shouldn't (and generally legally cannot) take up all of your conference time; if they are, familiarize yourself with Maryland's laws concerning planning time requirements and be sure your time is not being abused by administrative meetings. Again, if you have a union, they will know that information.

Financially, there are worse things in the world than bankruptcy. Finding some financial relief may be really important as your illness leave is bound to be running out, and your pay will start being docked often at real-time rates. If your district has a sick-leave bank, be sure to apply for that kind of relief.

I hope things will stabilize for you. Try not to get too far ahead of yourself in assuming things will always be as bad as they are right now for you. If you have a fair amount of confidence that once you get past this immediate crisis you'll be okay, then just get through this crisis. If you've handled your teaching tasks thus far in your career, it is likely once this crisis has passed, you'll manage to get back in the swing of things. As bad as things were for me at times, I felt comfortable in my ability to teach and knew I'd be okay in the long run continuing to teach.