Haha. I hope that teachers aren’t deciding whether to start based on drink tickets. Actually, they normally aren’t this stingy. There’s an open bar at the pre-year retreat and one at the Christmas party. (The Xmas party one has actually been a bit of a problem.) We don’t have a pto. There’s a parent organization but they are political, not teacher focused.
Btw, the PTSO in my town (where my kids go, not where I teach) is awesome. And there are also multiple booster clubs for sports or clubs. We spend way too much at fundraisers just because the whole town is there. (Casino night, designer bag bingo, etc.)
During my 11 years in the school district, I only had 1 person ever do anything for me for school psychology awareness (appreciation) week. The department head generally just sent a thank-you email.
They’ve adjusted our school year for 25-26. Start a week earlier, but now we have a full week off after the first 9 weeks. At least 1 guaranteed week break now at the end of every 9 weeks. I’m assuming this is the model that most school districts have moved to or moving to.
Sooooooo, apparently it's become a "trend" for students to insert lead pencils or other objects into the USB port of their Chromebooks to cause them to smoke or even catch fire. What the fuck is wrong with people? Oh, you want to damage the device you need for class and cost your family hundreds of dollars in the process? Ok!
yes we started to hear about it yesterday and sent a message home saying hey your kids might be doing this so don’t be shocked if you get a bill for $400 so we can replace it.
Cheers to you, man. I tapped after 5. My wife just wrapped her first year in admin and she just wants to get hammered tonight.
Ideas on how to get a 3rd grader back into class - or to have the fail-safes in place for next year? Didn't go to class outside of 5 days last year, quit going as of a month and a half ago. Tough homelife. Tried motivators, point sheets, sitting in class with him, shortened class periods etc to no luck. Lot of anxiety and negative perceptions from his peers with him. He's down on the SPED room daily, sometimes attends academics, sometimes doesn't. Unfortunately I'm his person and he's pretty selective otherwise. Things like getting his own lunch or going to specials ain't happening. Finally got him into therapy as of Monday. He has a younger sibling that doesn't talk on 2nd grade as well.
Man I hate that some kids are born into situations like this Are you saying he only went to school 5 days the whole year?
I guess i dont understand, im not a teacher so I dont really get all the ins and outs. I know some kids need to be in sped, but I guess he doesn't? The non-verbal 7 year old, plus the big brothers situation sounds like someone like the state needs to intervene
lol sorry - emotional and behavioral disorder all there cognitively, tough home life, lot of angst and frustration
My wife has a big, beautiful brain. Former school psych and current behavior specialist. Here's her thoughts: It sounds like this child may have quite a bit of anxiety type behaviors. The first thing I would try is to pair myself with another staff member that you want the student to build a relationship with in the future. Since you're a positive and preferred person, even if the other person is not, by doing preferred activities (play dough, kinetic sand, board game, basically anything they like) with them 2 to 1, you are now pairing the positive association with you to the other staff member. Over time you would start fading your time engaging in the activities with the other two until it's mostly the other staff member and the child. (You won't lose your spot as the most preferred, but will have 2 people who can help them calm and increase their felt safety). Can use this strategy to form relationships with peers too. Second, I would use visuals like schedules or first/then/ preferred to attempt any task. Example they need to complete a math worksheet: First we do one problem (start small and build over time), next we pack up the materials, last is always a short exposure (I start with 10 minutes and reduce time over an extended time) to a preferred item. *Note: Anxiety leaves the body through the hands so anything that includes using their hands is a bonus (Legos, theraputty, playdough, coloring, etc.). Then 'check schedule' for the bigger visual schedule and use the first then to support the microsteps to get that bigger task completed. Third, going into unstructured environments (Cafe, specials) can greatly increase anxiety. I would focus on those things last- as far as getting them back to a more regular schedule. I'd have them eat in an alternate space and do alternate activities for specials. Eventually I'd give them the choice of what they want to do but for now choices may be too overwhelming. Hope this helps.
State education board just voted to get rid of the U.S. History state test as a requirement for graduation. Students will still need to pass the class though.
Year 21 in the books. Also got certified as a school building & school district leader this year, which I have no real intention of doing.
Forgot to post about this last week. I was chatting with a former student on mine who is transferring from a juco to a 4-year. Turns out she’s transferring to USM to become a teacher because I once told her back when she was a junior that she looked like “she’ll become a teacher.” Me:
- I’ll humbly admit that I did apply for the summer school position this year. Didn’t get it though. - Summer is flying by too fast this year. I’m having fun though.
I used to be a para during summer school for students with special needs. 4.5 hours Monday-Thursday. I stopped doing it after Covid bc my own kids were busier but now that they’re older I might start doing it again. pretty easy. Everyone loves you for being there, especially as a certified teacher. If someone is gone I could be paid as a certified sub for the day. zero prep. Clock in, clock out. Only the month of June! It was very rewarding and made me much better with behavior management and accommodations/modifications in my class.
I am now also a Work Based Learning teacher. No idea what that entails, but based on what I’ve seen other WBL teachers do, it ain’t a whole lot.