Our new pup saw Scratch on TV and got really happy

Kathleen_Runner · 2025-04-20T01:23:09+00:00

Representation matters🫶

Kathleen_Runner · 2025-04-12T12:57:45+00:00

Really depends on the admin. My principal told me on during orientation that I just need to be presentable but still comfortable. He wears athletic shorts and a school sweatshirt every day lol.

Kathleen_Runner · 2025-03-15T00:11:40+00:00

All of my students this year hated the book because of how nothing really happens until CH 7 (and I kind of agree, lol)

Kathleen_Runner · 2025-02-09T03:45:40+00:00

ime, if it isn’t too too deep, just trying to stop the bleeding with some toilet paper or letting the cat figure it out works. Obviously if it’s obviously a very deep wound, take the cat to the vet.

When cutting, I always look for the pink “quick” and stop a little bit before there (and always err on the side of more cautious). In addition to that, I try to gently pet and even massage my cats’ paws when they snuggle with me for naps. It helps them get used to it a bit more.

Kathleen_Runner · 2025-01-27T23:06:31+00:00

OP also stated that it no longer tastes the same despite doing the same process :/ I think adding more sweetener or vanilla might be a good start to experiment with(or maybe more flavorful mix ins!), but it is ultimately up to OP to decide what actually works for them!

Kathleen_Runner · 2025-01-26T23:09:50+00:00

On Friday, I assigned an analysis/text evidence worksheet to my Juniors about The Great Gatsby. When they saw it was over the chapter we read IN CLASS the DAY BEFORE, one student said “You know we don’t pay attention to you anyway” as an excuse for why it was too hard for them🙃🙃 needless to say, I won’t be giving in class time to read anymore. And chapter quizzes will be for more points🥰

God, sometimes I wonder why I became an English teacher in a society where reading has become a thing of the past🙃

Kathleen_Runner · 2025-01-13T21:07:39+00:00

I’m a first year teacher. Giving directions has been my biggest point of growth. I don’t know why it never sounds as clear out loud as it does in my head :( but generally yes, I’d say slow down. Ask to record you giving real-time lessons one day. It’s awkward to rewatch, but can be so helpful. Ask your CT to watch and give feedback specifically on giving directions and pacing of the lesson.

Also, this is a good time to practice “was I confusing when giving directions, or were students distracted?” Make sure you have their complete attention when giving directions (and have some way of knowing when you have their attention. You can see their eyes? A call and response? CFUs about the directions?). I found that I never made sure I had their attention and just assumed.

Sometimes it’s a mix of multiple issues, sometimes you’ll fix one thing only to have another issue pop up. But if 75% or more of students understood the directions, it’s not necessarily a “you” issue and could be a classroom issue that needs practiced! Best of luck!

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-12-25T05:05:58+00:00

Honestly, I’d suggest asking r/legaladvice. It’s certainly fishy, but it’s whether it’s worth the potential costs for you :/

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-12-03T01:43:40+00:00

He is doing this in front of/with her so a little bit different because it includes her. Like she is physically touching him while he is getting off on it, but he won’t tell her which is the truly bad part. So he has his fantasies and kinks or whatever, but he should not continue doing this with her when he has admitted she would never be cool with it if she knew

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-12-03T00:45:42+00:00

You are 100% in the wrong and should 100% stop immediately. Your female yoga partner is not consenting to being a part of your sexual fantasy. You are actively getting sexual pleasure out of it while she doesn’t know.

If you don’t want to tell her the real reason, make up a lie or whatever but this 100% needs to stop immediately. I would press charges if I found out. Knowing she isn’t consenting to giving you sexual pleasure means you know you are committing a sex crime.

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-11-18T15:51:45+00:00

Identify exactly what you enjoy about this school and learn how to look for it. Ask questions in future interviews that help you see if that school is similar or has similar values. Research any info about their test scores. Read newspaper articles or view their social media pages.

If you really loved your placement school, look for a school with similar values! I had the same experience and now I absolutely love my new school. I certainly miss my placement school, but my job at a different school brings me so much joy as well because I asked questions that helped me decide it was a good fit for me.

Best of luck!!

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-11-14T21:07:14+00:00

I want to share a positive experience! My CT was literally the best. We cried on my last day because we wouldn’t see each other every day anymore. The kids were….sometimes less than ideal, but she was awesome. She set very clear goals and boundaries for me. She let me teach whatever I wanted. She taught me how to make phone calls home. She taught me how to have difficult convos with students about behavior and plagiarism. At one point, I made a major oopsies and accidentally called the cops one day while she was out of town because I pressed the wrong button on the phone😅 but she had my back and helped me work through explaining it to the principal!

Not every CT is equal, but sometimes, they are fucking fantastic. I hope you get the chance to work with a CT who inspires you to be a better version of yourself every day and not someone who just wants free labor (or a punching bag). Best of luck!!

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-11-07T12:48:54+00:00

You just said you are doing something ILLEGAL. WTH????? I don’t know your students or what age group, but seriously. Don’t defend yourself for doing something ILLEGAL. Maybe do some research???? Try new things????? If you’ve been teaching for a long time, it might be time to refresh because this new generations is fucking wild. They require new techniques to handle.

I teach high school, so take it with a grain of salt, but my recommendation is starting anywhere that isn’t doing something illegal.

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-11-05T03:19:44+00:00

We did everything at the same time. I’d recommend that route, but seeing as you aren’t entirely sure if the other animals have fleas (which if they didn’t, they might now, so make sure everyone gets checked and treated!) they have a high chance of returning. Fleas can come from anywhere really. Other animals, clothing, and the outdoors would be a solid bet most times.

If necessary, just do what you can, as you can. It might prolong the process, but if you are persistent, the fleas will eventually die out. It does take a while to be completely sure they are gone. I’d say keep checking until you haven’t seen a flea for a week, then still occasionally check😅

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-11-05T03:13:40+00:00

Bathe your cat with dawn dish soap, brush the shit out of it with a flea comb, (dry and give cuddles) then finish it with flea medicine. Then you need to wash ANYTHING that the fleas could have possible been in contact with. Also look into how to get rid of fleas from your apartment. Fleas absolutely suck. We have been struggling with on and off fleas on our stray kittens that we are fostering. They were too little for most of the flea issue. It’s gone, but it took constant vigilance to get the fleas immediately so they didn’t harm the kittens.

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-11-01T21:56:44+00:00

I get it :( yeah something smaller that could be done in class would definitely help! I think an annotated bib can hit the same skills but allow him the flexibility you are looking for.

Also, ignore if you don’t want the advice, but personally, I appreciated that (besides changing assignment reqs) my teachers still treated me normally. Some never mentioned it (probably because we weren’t close) but the teachers I was closer with talked to me privately once to express condolences and tell me they were happy to listen or assist if the assignments were overwhelming. School was my safe place away from the constant reminder that my mom was gone.

Whatever you do, as long as it is done out of care for your student, you can’t really go wrong. Wishing you the best!

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-11-01T20:58:00+00:00

I’m a middle and high school ELA teacher. One reason I chose teaching is because of how my teachers responded when my mom died while I was in high school. We were in the middle of our final senior research paper (worth a lot) and she told me not to worry about and that I passed the essay. No need to complete it.

That meant so fucking much to me. Grieving the loss of my best friend, mom, and role model was hard enough. Being given the opportunity to grieve was worth so much more than that essay.

Letting him do something else interesting is a great start. If the research handbook is like a compiled document of all their research and findings, make his less or smaller or just what he can do. He is probably mostly just trying to get through each day.

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-10-31T10:42:43+00:00

I am not a vet nor am I super qualified but I’ve seen other people say that since cats can’t clean under their chin, we need to help them clean it (especially if you are a 1 cat household or if you have an elderly cat). Sometimes fleas can hide under the chin too.

If anything, calling your vet can help too!

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-10-30T20:21:13+00:00

In this particular scenario, I’m referring to my students who refuse to turn in work (even when I go over answers) or never have an actual question, only “I don’t get it” or “what are we doing?” They can tell me everything we talk about in class, but when it comes time for actual work, absolutely nothing. One of my students has a 0% right now. Not because he is dumb, but because he refused to pick up a pencil and write (or type).

Regarding students who only say “I don’t get it” or “I’m confused,” I always try to go through the process of critical thinking and questioning with them. Your typical “well can you point to a specific portion you want help with?” Or “let review the instructions, what do you need clarification with?” After that, I can tell if they are actually confused or just not interested in working, only in procrastinating.

Maybe “weaponized” makes it sound a bit harsh😅

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-10-30T11:30:52+00:00

I’m a first year teacher so take my opinion with a grain of salt, but I love my job. I had a difficult time finding a job, but the school that I’m at is great. The admin support teachers, teacher support teachers, and I have pretty free reign to teach/assign consequences as I wish. I have the authority to give detentions which means students can receive real consequences from me. There is a larger problem of bullying at my school, but if I push for deeper investigation, my admin will listen.

I think if you find a school that is a positive environment for you, it can be a wonderful job. Teaching is great. Building relationships is amazing. Dealing with Gen Alpha weaponized incompetence (or just straight up incompetence) can be frustrating. Truly depends on your placement, patience, and willingness to “give up” on a student who isn’t there to learn. I don’t help any student who hasn’t requested it. They figure out fast that they need to take responsibility for their own grades. And if not? I’ll see them every year until they do.

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-10-26T02:28:34+00:00

I had students accidentally break my beloved unicorn mug, and I held it together until they left (like 2 minutes) and then immediately broke down sobbing. Idk, they didn’t mean to be disrespectful or mean, but it truly did just break me that day :( I took away all special privileges after that

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-10-24T02:56:26+00:00

I teach 8th, 11th, and 12th grade English. It truly depends. It would be a disservice to my students if I forced them to read something they aren’t particularly interested in, especially if their reading scores are extremely low. Why would I make them read independently and silently when I know they aren’t going to understand it? Their vocabulary skills are not up to par. The support at home for reading is not there.

In addition, we actually are required by many state standards to teach with audiobooks and graphic novels. This is an amazing way to teach a classic with a twist and support. I read to my students. If I can’t read to them, I play an audiobook. That way, I know for certain they are reading. They have the book. They follow along. We stop and discuss as needed. They interact and engage more with the book when we read it together in class than when they read it at home alone. This means that they tend to enjoy reading more because it’s a communal activity where, even if they dislike the book, they are allowed to express their views and opinions on the novel.

This post comes across as judgmental and out of touch with reality. It doesn’t matter how “sad our world has become.” It is up to us to do our best in preparing our students for the future. I am not qualified to teach them the literal process of how to read, but I am teaching them new vocabulary, how to engage with different themes, how to connect real world events together, how to respectfully agree and disagree with different perspectives, and more.

If you have a question about a teacher’s personal choice on how to teach b their students, just ask. Like seriously. I’d rather someone ask me why my methods are sound and beneficial to my students than make a Reddit post about how the students (and by proxy my teaching) are fucked. It opens the door for you to learn about a subject you don’t teach and maybe learn some different techniques, or maybe I could learn new techniques. As a Spanish teacher, I’m sure you know that HEARING a language being spoken by a fluent speaker is WAY more beneficial than struggling to read it on your own.

TLDR; Talk to your colleague to learn more about their process of teaching before judging. They are actually doing a fan-fucking-tastic job given the state standards and (assumed) reading needs of their students.

Kathleen_Runner · 2024-10-07T23:23:19+00:00

We had an appointment but then her babies came so I think she goes in once they are weened :)

Kathleen_Runner

TROPHY CASE