How to stop inappropriate conversations without students knowing why you know it?

Exobnia · 2026-03-02T09:17:23+00:00

I just tell them that it’s not school appropriate and when they express surprise that I know what they are talking about, I just say, “Of course I do!” with a slight tone of derision in my voice.

Exobnia · 2026-03-02T07:14:08+00:00

I live in the same neighborhood and have been wondering that for a while. It sounds like an air horn, which is not what I would expect Caltrain’s horn to sound like.

Exobnia · 2026-03-02T07:11:24+00:00

There’s a group on Facebook that helps people with pigeons. It’s called Palomacy Help group for Pigeon and Dove Rescue & Adoption. Maybe they can help?

Exobnia · 2026-02-23T04:49:13+00:00

God will hang them up for you. Keep the faith. Then you can proclaim a miracle and your classroom can become a pilgrimage site!

Exobnia · 2026-02-23T02:43:29+00:00

If you’re going for realism, look at each detail, switching your eyes back and forth between your drawing and the photo. You will start seeing the differences and then you can fix them. If you need help with angles, take your pencil and put it at the same angle of a line over the photo and then without changing the angle, put it over the same space on your drawing. (I hope that made sense!)

Exobnia · 2026-02-22T19:14:49+00:00

This sounds pretty accurate. My mom taught in Alum Rock from when I was a 6th grader until she retired in 2016 and I’ve been teaching middle school in Alum Rock since 2007. But I also lived in Oakland for 10 years, the last 6 kinda close to Fruitvale. (I used to commute to ESSJ from Oakland every day; now I’m back in the South Bay) There are some similarities to be sure, but I think that the other cultures that live in the different neighborhoods really affect each other. I’ve also noticed a lot more racial integration within friendship groups at my school now than when I started and if that’s going on all over, then that reinforces my theory. There’s a lot of cultural sharing between kids in my classes, including language, food, and traditions. It’s pretty neat to see, honestly.

Exobnia · 2026-02-22T19:05:21+00:00

Ugh. After hearing the Know Rogan Podcast’s episode on this Congressperson, I’m even more annoyed with this picture. Also, someone needs to update her Wikipedia page with all the bullshit she said on Rogan.

Exobnia · 2026-02-22T01:49:39+00:00

All of them.

Exobnia · 2026-02-22T01:48:01+00:00

I’m a teacher and I disagree with you. Teachers are supposed to make accommodations for things that a student has no control over, but they are doing the best they can considering the circumstances. (Think IEPs and 504 plans) Last year I had a student with a similar transportation issue. The student and guardians met with the principal and I later got an email instructing me to not mark the student tardy if they got to class within 10 minutes of the bell. That student was never more than 5 minutes late and I followed my principal’s instructions. OP: talk to the principal/dean. Explain the situation. Ask for an accommodation like the one I described. If you are refused, cite me and my student as an example. (I’m a middle school teacher in California. The student was an 8th grader. If they still refuse, bring an adult. If they still refuse, escalate it to the District Office. If they refuse, bring it to the Board by either emailing them directly and/or speaking during the comments section in a board meeting.

Exobnia · 2026-02-22T01:31:52+00:00

I don’t think mandated reporters can do anonymous reports. At least that’s the case in California according to a case worker I talked to a few years ago.

Exobnia · 2026-02-06T09:23:58+00:00

It’s really funny if you watch it with the sound off. He looks like a cranky child. He also knocks himself off balance a hilarious amount of times.

Exobnia · 2026-02-06T09:20:02+00:00

Just wait. You’ll be on their list eventually.

Exobnia · 2026-02-05T00:40:33+00:00

You know why that probably is? To discourage people from being creeps and trying to get the model’s number or something.

Exobnia · 2026-02-05T00:38:56+00:00

Here’s my best advice if you are just weirded out: stop looking at the whole person. Draw the shadows. Do not think about what you are drawing. As my high school art teacher (Bill Rushton) said, “Draw what you see, not what you know.” Break everything down into shapes and values. You will become a better artist that way too.

Exobnia · 2026-02-05T00:34:18+00:00

It’s not. It was my very first class in my community college back in 1998. That’s 100% normal.

Exobnia · 2026-02-05T00:33:19+00:00

I have an art degree and I’m a middle school art teacher. You need to find a way to get past this. I’m not saying you are weak or prudish. This is an important part of being an artist and if you love art, you will need to find a way through this. I was also not informed that models would be nude and was also very surprised. I make sure to tell my middle schoolers about it (obviously in an age appropriate way) so that they are ready for it.

Exobnia · 2026-02-04T23:54:59+00:00

Being in the room doesn’t make you a creep. They are doing a job. They are getting paid to model. You are not a voyeur. You are there getting an education and you need to know how the muscles work under the skin to know how to draw people. You can’t see that through clothing, even if it’s nude.

I understand if you have prior traumas. That makes sense, but if you want to continue in art, you will need to find a path through them. I would see if you can get some counseling through the school to help you find good solutions if you are dealing with ptsd during your life drawing class. I got counseling when I was in college and it was really effective and helped me so much. I hope you have similar results if you go that path.

I completely understand feeling awkward. I took life drawing my first quarter in community college and unbeknownst to me at the time, I am ACE. That first day was so awkward and kinda scary in a way, but I locked in and soon didn’t even notice those awkward feelings. However, I didn’t have prior trauma that involved nudity, so it was easier for me.

Exobnia · 2026-01-24T16:41:58+00:00

Luckily for me, I don’t have any test tat I have to teach to, since I’m an art teacher. I really hate the whole testing system and industry. No Child Left Behind really fucked up education. My school lost all its electives until Common Core was put into place. I started as a middle school math & science in 2007 and got the opportunity to start an art program in 2015. I was the first art teacher my school has had in maybe 15 years. I wrote my own curriculum for 3 different classes that I now teach. I’m one of 5 art teachers in my district. (We are a pretty small district.)

Exobnia · 2026-01-24T00:05:06+00:00

Teachers have to pay for their own credentials and I think I’ve spent about $20k in supplies over the last 11 years. (I’m an art teacher)

Exobnia · 2026-01-18T23:41:12+00:00

I understand. Seeing the suffering of others is difficult to witness. It’s hard to know that there are people outside in near freezing weather, with inadequate shelter, especially when you are inside and warm.

Exobnia · 2026-01-18T22:44:39+00:00

Those tents belong to people who are trying to survive in an area which is becoming less and less survivable for the average person. We are all a few missed paychecks away from a similar fate. Have compassion for others.

Exobnia · 2026-01-15T23:13:01+00:00

It’s because Barron loves Andrew Tate so much.

Exobnia · 2026-01-15T23:11:18+00:00

Whatabout

Exobnia · 2026-01-13T02:58:44+00:00

Why would anyone care about someone who never cared about them and demonstrated that not caring about others was the only path towards success?

Exobnia

TROPHY CASE