Being a writer, I stay home, or sit on the beach or sit in my car or take a walk and let my mind work out story lines.
Being a substitute teacher I go to a preschool one day and a post high school special ed class the next, PE then first Grade, Science then Art, anywhere anytime, and what I do is helped or hindered by the complexity or lack of lesson plans. These were the most detailed lesson plans I have ever encountered.
a great teacher has a wealth of things to teach, not just from the lesson plans. and you, my friend, from what i have gleaned about so far, have to be one of the great ones. for dedication alone, you're a star!