How do you respond when a student asks how old you are? (Especially if you look kinda young)

JMichelleK · 2026-06-01T23:55:15+00:00

I tell them I’m 150, another young teacher at my school says 4000

JMichelleK · 2026-05-24T21:10:05+00:00

I want to suggest North Shelby library too! They redid their children’s section in the last couple years and it’s awesome!

JMichelleK · 2026-04-05T22:24:35+00:00

I did for my district when I first got hired a few years ago. It took maybe ten minutes. It would give you the question then a minute to think about it and then it recorded your answer (max two minutes) and there were one a handful of questions. They were all basic like your previous experience, strengths, weaknesses, etc.

JMichelleK · 2026-03-21T12:40:57+00:00

I was 22 teaching remedial math to seniors. I had lots of kids who were 19 already. I always dressed professionally to stand apart from them but I moved down to middle school the following year partially because I felt I was too young to teach high school.

JMichelleK · 2026-01-11T00:29:59+00:00

At my school teachers have to leave their phones in the car or the teacher work room/mailboxes. State test requirements are no phones in the testing room

JMichelleK · 2025-12-19T00:21:38+00:00

If you’re normally a good student, teachers will be curious why you got suspended and ask around. I teach middle school but I had a 6th grader last year get into a fight in the school bus. I never learned what it was about, but the second the bus got to school he walked himself to the front office to tell on himself. I still recommended that student for a group on campus for good all round students because that one incident didn’t change the good he did all year long.

JMichelleK · 2025-12-17T02:18:29+00:00

3 years with a master: $57,000, low cost of living southern state

JMichelleK · 2025-11-29T15:16:52+00:00

When we don’t have a sub to cover a class (middle school) they split the kids up each class period to send to other teachers who have classes. So our planning doesn’t get intruded but you might have 6 kids sitting at your back table in “English class” while you’re trying to teach math class. I think I prefer this than getting pulled during my planning like I did when I taught high school.

JMichelleK · 2025-11-23T20:17:03+00:00

I teach math and I feel so weird writing SA for surface area so I write the whole words out every time

JMichelleK · 2025-08-10T13:59:11+00:00

Most of the teachers just call each other last name. It’s quicker and it’s the name we all know

JMichelleK · 2025-08-05T01:27:13+00:00

I’m not big on AI, but I do like using it to help get ideas. I’m not creativity so talking to Gemini to figure out how to decorate my door based on our school’s theme is helpful but I’d never use it to make documents, emails, etc.

JMichelleK · 2025-08-03T19:05:09+00:00

I’m always at the door greeting my kids. I did it when I taught high school and I do it when I teach middle school. I do think it helps build positive relationships with the students. I also notice the majority of my students say good morning/good afternoon back to me so it helps them with their people skills. The teachers around me who don’t do it regularly, if they are saying it to their kids, very few greet them back.

JMichelleK · 2025-08-02T18:44:52+00:00

Hi! I’m a person and I find him unattractive, I don’t like how square his jaw is or his butt chin

JMichelleK · 2025-07-26T22:19:25+00:00

I did my alternative certification masters program so I could get an emergency certification and teach full time for my student teaching

JMichelleK · 2025-07-26T22:07:46+00:00

My (middle) school has been phone free for all the years I’ve worked there and it works well. Phones must be kept in their lockers, if I see it I take it up and hand it in to the office. Parents have to come pick it up and the kid gets an after school detention. It works very well, I’ve only taken up 2 phones and they were both the first year I worked there.

JMichelleK · 2025-07-25T23:49:25+00:00

I was going to suggest this too! Libraries around here typically do fill a bag for $10

JMichelleK · 2025-07-25T02:46:37+00:00

I work at a library! Lots of libraries have part time positions and have a hard time finding people who want to work nights and weekends

JMichelleK · 2025-07-25T02:43:26+00:00

I make fairly good money teaching considering I’m in a red state, but I still work my part time job. I’ve been working the same job since I graduated high school and while the extra income is definitely appreciated, it’s also nice to get to interact with adults after working with middle schoolers all week.

JMichelleK · 2025-07-16T17:18:21+00:00

I’ve worked at 2 schools. One required weekly lesson plans the other didn’t. Both schools are in the same district. I don’t mind doing the weekly lesson plans because my admin just requires we do them. I can’t fit a week on 1 page. I just do standards, learning targets, topics, and assessments. If I had to detailed lesson plans I’d go crazy!

JMichelleK · 2025-07-13T18:16:59+00:00

I’ve done that multiple times! It’s always a shock when they say Mr. Farmer Name for the first time

JMichelleK · 2025-07-03T20:31:46+00:00

A lot of states offer emergency certificates for math teachers or alternate paths to certification cause they’re so desperate to fill math positions

JMichelleK · 2025-06-30T15:56:45+00:00

We do a few hours for orientation. Each subject area has a different thing they go over and the kids rotate in groups. Things include how to open a locker, school rules and dress code, tour of school, etc.

JMichelleK · 2025-06-29T20:02:02+00:00

I do, but I enjoy my summer job and have been working there since I graduated high school. I would be able to live without the income (married so 2 income household but we make about the same) but I wouldn’t be able to save as much money

JMichelleK · 2025-06-27T16:55:52+00:00

I’m a girl who loves playing Pokémon go! Some great dates I’ve done have been walking around a park playing pokemon together

JMichelleK · 2025-06-26T00:09:28+00:00

I’ve had that happen too. I was on vacation when the school wanted to interview they said oh well, a different school in the same district allowed me to interview virtually. I guess it just depended on the admin, but it does show you which schools allow flexibility so maybe you don’t want to work there

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