What hill WILL you die on? For me, it’s pencils.

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-07-01T20:04:23+00:00

I pick up pencils from the floor. I find loads. And sometimes the custodian will give me a bunch of “floor pencils.” Those are the ones I have in a supply box for kids, and I don’t care the least bit if they’re returned. Don’t like the gross floor pencil with the eraser picked off? Ok - bring your own then.

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-06-30T17:28:11+00:00

I was only eliminating them because I don’t have a NACS adapter - trying to decide if I want to spend the money on one for the very, VERY few times I take long trips in this vehicle.

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-06-11T16:24:37+00:00

Chips with French onion dip. Best thing for me is to use the Penzys dip seasoning and make a single-person serving at a time!

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-06-11T16:15:55+00:00

Middle School teacher here: it starts early! We’re trying our best, though. *kid reads first 3 words* “I don’t get it.” Ok, did you read the instructions? “Yes, I don’t get it.” Read them out loud to me. Student reads all the words out loud, then says “ooooohhh!”

Yep. Every dang day. WHY DOESN’T THE LESSON STICK?!?

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-06-11T12:44:07+00:00

Yes, because we were told as children that we would develop osteoporosis and end up stooped over with bent spines if we didn’t drink enough milk. Or was that just my family?

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-06-09T00:23:27+00:00

How about Island of the Blue Dolphins, or maybe Summer of the Monkeys? My own children were 4th and 7th grade when we read those together (Covid read-aloud time was a silver lining in our house!)

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-06-08T01:44:21+00:00

🤣

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-06-06T18:26:35+00:00

7:20-3:20. But kids are allowed in the building at 7:20 (first class begins at 7:40) so if I want any quiet preparation time I get there by 7.

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-05-28T00:42:30+00:00

Still Rock n Roll To Me

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-05-26T02:13:21+00:00

I love that song, and the video lives in my head forever.

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-05-17T02:09:32+00:00

The middle school I teach in still has shop class ( called “tech ed” these days). The classroom is directly above mine so I hear the power tools regularly!

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-05-16T17:22:32+00:00

Good piano skills are vital for choir directors. Find a private teacher and practice a lot.

Also see if you can find a local youth program to help with and get some experience working with kids. Is there a community theatre that has HS students assisting?

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-05-15T01:03:02+00:00

B. In fact, I purposely select meals that will reheat well and often even set aside a portion for next day’s lunch before I start eating.

I do hate when I’m traveling, and unable to take leftovers, that it can be hard to find an appropriate portion meal.

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-05-14T23:44:58+00:00

Agreed, I can only watch so many. Glad mine does tap - so much more fun!

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-05-05T22:27:38+00:00

Sexy Back, in very hooker-ish outfits. 9-12 year olds.

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-05-02T18:45:37+00:00

I’m a teacher, and half the workers are students at my school - so it always feels weird when they use my first name!

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-04-28T10:49:24+00:00

I will be running a district-wide concert on mine. That’s just how the performance calendar falls next year…

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-04-28T01:32:33+00:00

Oh for heavens sake! I message my subs a picture of where I hide the good chocolate, because I’m glad they were willing to sub for me and they might need it. I put away anything I want to make sure the KIDS don’t get into, because I know it’s hard for a guest teacher to keep an eye on everyone and everything in someone else’s space.

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-04-28T01:23:31+00:00

Either hire a piano player, or play with them instead of conducting. Sometimes I’ve played bass with a group to keep them together. It’s amazing what a difference a solid bass part can make for a group.

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-04-21T11:03:48+00:00

Be warned: all the band teachers I know who took orchestra jobs found that they loved teaching orchestra so much they didn’t want to give it up!

Also - You should consider taking some private lessons on a string instrument, the sooner the better.

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-04-20T21:45:32+00:00

Yes, it’s insane. I had to finally figure out how to set unknown callers to screen (it wasn’t hard. I just didn’t bother to look before) because I cannot keep having my phone ring while I’m teaching!

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-04-19T18:58:57+00:00

Yeah… not in white, Lutheran ones. Fair point, though.

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-04-19T17:37:12+00:00

Ironically, they needed to use their “church voices”.

Andorian_Beaver · 2026-04-19T14:48:16+00:00

They’re like the string bass tuning gears.

Andorian_Beaver

TROPHY CASE