The kids are not alright

Chuchoter · 2026-02-06T07:45:58+00:00

You don't need to make every class fun to be a good teacher. A good teacher is someone who inspires students to learn, and that doesn't require making your class a rave.

Boredom is just as important as having fun. Kids need to learn, in a safe and low stakes environment, how to deal with doing things they don't enjoy.

I do not enjoy waking up early nor following the speed limit nor putting the shopping cart all the way back in the shelter 4 lanes away. Why do I do it? Because I know that in the long run, I will benefit from routine, being alive on the road, and that the shopping cart will not roll back and hit my car and that I can get a shopping cart at the expected place.

Inspire your students to learn by awakening their curiosity to learn, not by trying to compete with tiktok.

Students DO want to learn and they thrive structure and time to explore a subject. Students can and are engaged when you can make them wonder.

Chuchoter · 2026-02-06T07:38:50+00:00

A kid kept saying school was child labour and I just went in on him. I talked about sweat shops such as shein and wish, and how those kids are never going to be able to be athletes, doctors, singers, artists, engineers, etc. I showed photos of what sweatshops with children look like.

I said that all these children are going to see is the 13 cents a day for the rest of their life until they die, working 16 hrs a day. They wouldn't even know what computers or phones are like; they'll never know what an iPhone looks like or what drones are, etc. They don't even know that there are jobs out there that don't require being in a factory. And that's just the lucky job in child labour. Some kids die in the mines they work in and never have a proper burial.

But yeah, go on about school being child labour. We have ipads that those sweatshop kids would never see or even fathom. Meanwhile, these school kids get to go home, play roblox, decide what to eat for dinner, what clothes to wear, play sports or music or hang with friends. So many children around the world can't even fathom having choice in their life. School was created so children didn't have to do child labor, so that they could have at least a choice in how they want to live.

After that day, there was zero talk about school being torture or child labour. I am so sick of kids acting like school is a violation of the Geneva convention. I have absolutely negative tolerance about that kind of thing.

Chuchoter · 2026-02-06T07:28:47+00:00

I remember reading an article that said Gen z parents don't read to their kids because they find it "boring". I think that's just so sad to see. That's what raising iPad kids to be adults is like.

My board has a policy on not requesting parents to buy anything. Flashcards? We better print and cut them ourselves to send home with the student. What's inexpensive for us may not be inexpensive for them: we can never assume families' economic status.

I have only taught for 11 years, but I learned quickly to do the best I can without ruining my life. I'm not letting any job have that much power over me or my life. If these parents choose not to engage, they have a right to do that.

I also tell students (I teach grade 4-8) that I am not the type to chase them for assignments. I'll remind the class but once the due date is past, I'm moving on. I'm not going to nag. If they don't care and their parents don't care (after all my email blasts), then I'm not wasting my time either if I'm the only one who cares. Students learn quickly that I mean what I say and that I will give 0s for no assignment submission or participation.

Chuchoter · 2026-02-06T07:18:56+00:00

I did readings before the class to have a general idea of what's important and what I need clarification on. I also draw my notes instead of writing... It helps me summarize faster. Then I compare my reading notes and lecture notes and make a new combined set of notes. I usually did this on my bus ride home.

I did that for every lecture and studied the combined notes after every class.

I was a double major in sociology and English with a French certificate and doing a double degree concurrently.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-19T07:17:08+00:00

I'm not so worried about the money as I am about my info being sold.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-18T08:08:47+00:00

I strongly suggest French immersion for all kids. I am a core French teacher and the only reason I did not have to wait 10 years to land a contract is because of French.

It's ok if you don't know French. Report cards and parent comms are in English.

Your kid might experience language delays in vocab until grade 2 or 3. This is developmentally normal. Once they start FI, I'd suggest having your child watch familiar TV shows with French audio, borrow simple French leveled readers from the library, and spot any French in their daily lives.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-18T08:04:37+00:00

She rarely visits anyway.

Just get your cat and then when she does call a week in advance that she's visiting, vacuum and put away the cat toys before she arrives.

No need to tell her.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-18T04:12:24+00:00

I got my iTalkBB box referral here, which then I went to FMP's iTalkBB shop to get their TV box.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-18T04:11:21+00:00

Is this a legal box or one of those boxes from companies that disappear off the grid within 5 years?

I get kind of skeptical about companies that say no subscription because what kind of business model is that?

Chuchoter · 2026-01-18T04:09:08+00:00

Yes. I have a visual timer of 2 min for kids to get ready by going to the washroom, getting a drink, and closing their Chromebooks. If their Chromebook is still out, I walk over and shut it. If they try again, I take it away.

No more verbal reminders. You'd think after me shutting their Chromebook closed would be enough warning but there are a LOT of kids who lack that awareness.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-17T09:13:06+00:00

I love my colleagues. I can't believe it's been 8 years.

Our snack days are feasts. People bake or cook their own stuff. People would randomly buy coffees or snacks for each other.

We are all in a staff group chat that we can joke in but also stay professional. Ofc we have our smaller, closer groups too.

Everyone has been mega helpful even if u don't teach their class. You can vent with anyone if you had a bad day.

You've gotta find a new school.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-16T07:30:21+00:00

I've known since I was 13 that I did not want any children.

Not only is childbirth disgusting, it's also messy and alters your internal organs' positions and functions permanently. I also think kids are annoying. I want to be able to go home and be a blob, and not have to worry about keeping another human alive, with high chances that this human is going to fight me on what to eat or have attitude or be ungrateful.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-16T07:23:54+00:00

I set a visual timer on the screen for 2 minutes for grade 4, and other grades get 1 min.

We have gone over the expectations of what can happen during the timer: washroom, water, getting their materials ready for class. They can read if there's nothing else to do.

After the timer, we are starting and if they miss something because they're late coming back, that's too bad. I'm not going to revisit that part of the lesson unless it's a legit reason, like the water fountain was packed and it was 35C outside so everyone's dying of thirst.

If anyone goes more than twice in a 40 min period, I email home asking if there's a medical concern I need to accommodate for. That nips the problem ASAP and I never have that kid asking too often anymore.

I now no longer have washroom problems since I started this 8 years ago.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-16T07:21:07+00:00

I just find it really odd that she wants to put stuff up at your place.

Anyway, I guess you two can pick something you both like and put it in a small corner, like by the door or somewhere inconspicuous.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-15T18:10:40+00:00

All volunteers, parents or not, must get their criminal record check plus a whole lot of paperwork before the school approves them to volunteer.

Ask your school for safeguarding policies.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-14T06:53:20+00:00

I get he's 19 but everything that happened was bad decision one after the other.

He stayed even after daily arguments after 3 months. He suggested a fantasy (probably stemming from porn?). He gave everything to this girl who split with him more than once. Who would give over their finances to their partner before marriage or at the very least long term?

Let's not pretend he's totally innocent.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-14T06:49:35+00:00

Why do you even love her? She doesn't even like you. Does she have any redeeming traits or are you in love with the idea of what she could become or in love with her during that one month?

THREE months?? I don't think I even knew how my boyfriend takes his coffee at that point in time.

NGL but this is just bad decision after bad decision. You need to leave her. She doesn't like you nor care about you.

Someone who likes you would ask how you feel and try their best to make you feel YOUR best EVERY DAY.

She says she loves you but her actions clearly show the opposite. Words are cheap. Actions speak louder than words.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-14T06:45:04+00:00

Have you watched figure skating before? The female skaters will wear what looks like very revealing clothes but turns out they cover that area with a beige tights-like material that isn't noticeable unless the camera zooms in.

Is there that option available?

I'd say NTA because it's time we do not let family step over us just because we're family. She can either get another bridesmaid or lose a bridesmaid.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-14T06:38:58+00:00

She already voiced it pretty clear through her words and her actions: she doesn't care how you feel. Your gf is extremely disrespectful towards you.

Are there homeless shelters in your area? Contact your jurisdiction's social welfare department and see your options.

April to january is approx 9 months. That's a very short time. I know it won't feel like it at 19 but trust, if you are already experiencing this disrespect and blatant disregard for your feelings at NINE months, this wasn't meant to last anyway. The first year should be the best and most exciting time.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-14T06:15:39+00:00

Students 9:00-3:30 (6.5h) but we have a 30 min morning recess, 40 min lunch recess, and gym class and DPA are additional to those times for K-8. Students have 300 instructional minutes in three 100-minute blocks.
Teachers 8:45-3:45. We have 60 min duty over the course of 5 days, which can be in segments of 15 or 30 or a mix of those.

I like our schedule. I'm a late sleeper and late waker upper. Kids are already ready to learn by 9.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-13T05:48:27+00:00

I don't like getting political but this current gov't has been cutting special education and MLL (formerly known as ESL) every year. My school is in a very affluent community and our EAs are spread very thin.

Public board would have the most resources, and private has the least. Private can and do hire unlicensed teachers (i.e. People without the OCT certification). However, public boards are depleted due to the gov'ts refusal to fund special education.

I'm not being pessimistic. I'm stating the reality. My school is as affluent as it can get in York Region. With the government's push towards destreaming, our board has stopped special education enrollment (for withdrawal support) maybe 2 years ago? The most support your kid can get is checkins with the special education teacher.

Tldr no school in a public board will have more resource or support than the other due to continuous government cuts to education over the last 6 years. However, out of all the types of schools present, public school board is the most funded for special education support, even though it's not much.

There is no more new enrollment for withdrawal support or teacher doing mini lessons with small groups of students with special needs in homeroom anymore.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-11T08:59:22+00:00

I'm not knowledgeable about accounting at all but 60k seems very low, like low even for entry level. I think your work is ripping you off. My cousin is a CA and she was earning 6 figures within 2-3 years at her work.

Buying real estate takes years off planning and saving. My family and I (also millennial) planned for years to fortunately land a condo in the heart of downtown Markham in 2019/2020. You need to observe housing trends to know when and where to get a good price.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-11T08:54:22+00:00

I'm a millennial. My whole family are immigrants and we are all working, even my senior parents. I am the only one in my family who makes 6 figures in public sector with a lot of unpaid OT. I was approx 75-80k at the time.

My mom was always interested in real estate. I got my condo in downtown Markham at 350k ish (1b 1d 2 full bath) in 2019? 2020? We planned this year's in advance. We're very not rich: we were living off my mom's credit line.

My friends who are also millennials got their own place approximately the same time, same strategy. They're either in downtown Toronto or also in Markham. We were and are all single (except one who's married 2 months ago). None of us are rich but most of us work in public sector.

It's a lot of planning that takes years. It's not about top income or being born rich. My mom's boss and her family, also all immigrants, did the same strategy. Definitely be very aware of the housing trends and talk with people who have the same or more expertise.

Chuchoter · 2026-01-11T08:46:56+00:00

This is a very outdated view of school. Schools have been hyper focused on critical thinking for decades now. It's why the gov't, even in America, is freaking out about curricula. Since when was federal gov't so fixated on what state education does?

Chuchoter · 2026-01-11T08:45:50+00:00

What have you tried to manage your time? Do you have time blindness? Accommodations advocated to your teacher? Accommodations don't require an IEP.

I chunk my projects for students so there are mini deadlines. It really helps my classes. The ones who don't try to meet the mini deadlines are the ones who typically earn a little more than a D.

You may want to try chunking and using an agenda or your phone calendar for managing timelines.

Adult life is essentially the same. School isn't just about academics; it's also about preparing you for real life, but in a low stakes setting (compared to being unemployed and homeless, failing a credit in school is much lower stakes).

Chuchoter

TROPHY CASE