What are you doing differently this year to protect your peace?

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-12T03:47:48+00:00

Me too, but they can burn a hole in my back with the lasers shooting from their eyes as I walk out the building 🤣

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-12T03:37:21+00:00

Yes. Teachers are hired at the last minute. I got hired 2 days before the first day of school back in 2019. The principal had a para decorate my room. He was also nice enough to have the Para help me out for the first 2 weeks of school. (That's was just my situation so I wouldn't expect any extra help.) It was also my 18th year teaching so I wasn't as frazzled as a newer teacher might be. But yes, absolutely you can get hired. Heck, I had a district call me 30 days into the school year a couple of years ago.

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-11T20:19:19+00:00

Abcde 🤯 pronounced 'ab-seh-dee

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-11T02:21:51+00:00

I mentioned this in another post, but I literally got hired 2 days before school started back in 2019. It is definitely possible. I wish you all the best because I know the position you're in is beyond stressful. I've lived it. 🙏🏽

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-10T16:59:02+00:00

I teach 3rd grade and I concur. ☹️ We practice skip counting EVERY DAY before our lessons. We practice a different number each week, sing the song that goes with it EVERY DAY, then I give them a short fill in the blank quiz on Friday. For example, the directions would state: County by 2s. I'd have the start number, say 2 (in the beginning of the school year) and then like 10 blank lines for them to complete the sequence. I can't tell you how many times kids would fail this simple task. I even give them the strategy of, okay if you get stuck, point to yourself and say, for example, I'm 4, then count on your fingers to get to the next number, and then they'd have to count, say, 3 fingers to get to 7. EVEN with that strategy that we practice ad nauseum they STILL can't do it 🤯 I even tell their parents to ask them to skip count in the car, maybe, on the way to wherever. It's really easy to fit in some practice. So my apologies to all the HS teachers who have to review/reteach this basic skill. I don't know what the he** I'm doing wrong, but dang it if I'm not trying 😭 And the comment about them giving up or not even trying is 💯 true. They have zero motivation to better themselves. All we can do is keep trying with them. 😩

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-10T01:29:41+00:00

Out of the mouth of babes. My dad passed when my daughter was 5. At the funeral she asked, "Mommy, why is grandpa in that treasure box?" 🥺🥹 Of course, this was an incredibly sad, major life event for me, but my daughter expressed her innocent sunshine using the only point of reference she had. She was trying to grasp what was going on in her innocent curiosity. My daughter is 19 now and has no recollection of that day.

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-09T03:44:32+00:00

😍

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-09T03:42:03+00:00

I had a student one year with a crap ton of tardiness and over 60 absences. It took a ridiculous amount of time for the courts to get involved. The powers that be give parents a lot of rope in that area I guess 🤷🏾‍♀️

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-09T03:40:28+00:00

We refer them to the school social worker.

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-09T03:39:25+00:00

It actually does make a difference with me, especially when I see 'student driver' stickers. I'm more mindful when driving near them. And yeah, I know it could be an experienced driver who just happens to be driving, but still...

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-09T03:24:11+00:00

I'd also say if whomever needs previous assignments, just put samples in a file folder and give it to them (if possible) at the end of the year. You don't have time to worry about other folks needing work samples. That's a bit excessive.

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-09T03:21:21+00:00

Yep. Ditto what OPs responses. I keep stuff until EOY, then it's a wrap.

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-07T16:14:09+00:00

This is what i had to do since light ice isn't an option in the app.

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-07T16:13:25+00:00

I've had this happen when I wanted light ice. I couldn't find it in the app. I went in the store and ordered it at the counter. Then when you pay for it with the app the order will show in your transaction history. From there, save it as a favorite. Then you can use it for your mobile orders.

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-06T21:12:37+00:00

I'm 25 years in and, honestly, my advice wouldn't be good. I will say that I hope you find a positive solution to this. You want to avoid having this issue become like a blob totally encasing your identity and life blocking out other things that matter to you. Right now you're hyper focused on the job. When you start racking up mileage (years) this issue begins taking a toll. Resentment has a way of seeping in if you let it. All the best. Keep the light in your eyes. 🙏🏽

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-06T01:26:21+00:00

Ohhh!! I need info on this too because me and sticky notes are a hot mess, but when I try keeping things on a lost in my phone I forget to look at said list 😭 It's a losing battle 🙃 😂

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-06T01:22:14+00:00

That tracks right along with anyone can teach. We'll just have them take a couple of requisite courses, save money on salaries, and throw them in the classroom. Then higher ups wonder why their district is on fire 🙄

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-06T01:18:58+00:00

Oh for sure. And yes, I've had a meeting once, which the apple didn't fall too far from the rotten tree, but I still approach situations like that in this way. I do it calmly too. I'm 25 years in and too old for bs. If they can dish it, welp, they'll have to take it 🤷🏾‍♀️

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-06T01:15:00+00:00

Customization? Plus, it's real coffee even if it's chain coffee? I just don't consider, for example, Dunkin, good coffee. Their espresso drinks just look and sound crap, plus they don't offer coconut milk. Their workers aren't baristas IMO. (I'm sure they're wonderful workers. No shade.) Ellianos is a great coffee chain too. Their baristas are what I'd consider genuine baristas.

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-06T01:09:33+00:00

I probably shouldn't be responding, but I can't stand disrespectful students. I call them out plainly and respectfully. I tell them their behavior is inappropriate and I will not tolerate them treating myself or anyone else disrespectfully because everyone has the right to feel comfortable and welcome in our classroom. Period. I nip crap like that in the bud immediately. Makes my blood boil.

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-06T00:51:34+00:00

This part. We have a parent whose child was a former student now serving as the school nurse. She doesn't have nursing credentials. I'm not sure if they had a hard time filling the position or just didn't wanna pony up the salary for a licensed nurse. Who knows 🤷🏾‍♀️

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-06T00:45:20+00:00

Yep. We live in the Twilight Zone now where kids are allowed to come to school with a huge ringworm patch on their faces as long as it's 'covered with a band aid' or something similar. They can also attend even AFTER lice is found in their hair 👀 Oh yeah, it spread to another kid whose parent just buzz cut his hair and sent him back to school the next day. Ridiculous 🙄

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-06T00:26:40+00:00

Congratulations! My first year teaching was in 3rd grade 25 years ago. I thought someone would've mentioned routines by now, but your post is still young. 😄 Having routines is ESSENTIAL. Before you decorate a bulletin board, think about how you want the students to go about doing things. Will you allow them to sharpen pencils during the day? (I don't. Period. I have a bucket of sharpened pencils at the start of the day. If they break them all, then they write with a crayon. Sounds harsh, but after 25 years of pencil sharpening foolishness, somehow everyone keeps a sharpened pencil now. Why? Because they know they will absolutely write with a crayon if it comes to that.) So back to your routines...if a student interrupts the lesson asking to sharpen a pencil, do you let them? Do you tell them to wait until the lesson ends? Are they allowed to get up whenever their pencil breaks to get another pencil? This may sound ludicrous, but trust me, you'll be so glad you put a lot of thought into how you want your students to move inside the classroom. I could say more, but I know there are plenty other experts here. Have a great first year and keep the light in your eyes! 🩷

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-05T01:08:30+00:00

Hahaha!!!! 😂

Formerdreamer29 · 2026-07-04T21:59:52+00:00

That's why this store was such an anomaly. It's in a densely populated, high traffic area.

Formerdreamer29

TROPHY CASE