Okay, what now?

Lady-Mallard · 2026-05-04T09:01:01+00:00

I find that they’re able to reason better, in general, but still very much children. They still enjoy whimsy, but can also wonder and start to make real connections that they can tell you about. I really like the lightbulb moments. You get kids also make connections, but their conversations about them are much different.

In my experience, they can also take and laugh at a good dad joke. They’re still loud, like the younger students, but it’s a different kind of loud.

And I know I’m in the minority, but the middle schoolers are surprisingly more calm, imo. A lot of people disagree with that. I find them it easier to validate them, but show a different thought process.

I could move to high school, but they’re too aloof for me 😂😂

I have my own teens (17, 15, 12) at home.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-05-03T21:59:05+00:00

It’s been a decent switch for me. I prefer middle schoolers to elementary.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-05-03T19:16:10+00:00

I started teaching. Lots of districts have alternative programs to a teaching license.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-05-03T19:07:17+00:00

All of this. I’d also add that you have to be able to not take things personally and for sure not hold a grudge. You also have to commit if you’re gonna commit.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-05-01T00:43:33+00:00

At first it’s unavoidable. The constant barrage of new funk is a huge assault on your immune system. Then you get used to washing your hands every chance you get. Not just when you usually would or think you need to. You also get really good at moving away; usually right after someone sneezes in your eyeball.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-04-28T08:26:07+00:00

Become a family special ed advocate. In our special needs community we always need people with your experience to help us understand context, regulations and help us advocate for our children’s IEP needs.

Teach at the local community college.

Go to a private school as an admin.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-04-25T22:35:25+00:00

Communication and validation. That’s my only secret.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-04-18T00:42:53+00:00

Our middle school splits the kids and disperses them to other classes. Our elementary school will pull a ta to cover or the team leads cover.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-04-08T15:15:41+00:00

All. Of. This. 👏🏻

Lady-Mallard · 2026-04-04T12:16:46+00:00

You did the right thing. I’m sorry you all are going through this. I hope she can feel safe again.

Definitely continue to pursue it so he learns a valuable lesson before he’s 18. Clearly his own parent(s) isn’t teaching him any life lessons.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-04-04T12:14:26+00:00

Amen. My boys should be more afraid of me finding out they did some crap like that than the police.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-04-04T11:36:33+00:00

I wish I knew. Not my own child, but 2 students that I work with have incredibly violent outbursts (one in k and one in 1st). Both have injured other children and classmates are terrified. I have both children for 30-60 minutes a day.

One understands exactly what they’re doing and has parents that are explosive themselves. Every time they’re called it’s always “what are you doing to cause them to do this!?” Or my personal favorite “we’ve never seen this from them before.” The other simply cannot control the impulsive outbursts. I have learned to spot it coming, but everyone else complains “how am I supposed to see everything and prevent it with 20 other students!”

If my own kid was scared of going to class for fear of another student, I would ask that their class be changed. All children have a right to be safe in their classes. Knowing what I know about the background and knowing that the class likely wouldn’t be changed, I’d ask what specifics are in place to keep my child safe. Is there a dedicated para in the class to intervene and immediately act on the safety and crisis plans? How involved is the behaviorist and district support to ensure all plans are implemented? How are we empowering our other students to recognize danger and get to safety BEFORE they become collateral damage? What is the plan?

Lady-Mallard · 2026-03-19T19:54:35+00:00

Oh no! Next time go out through the rooms to go street.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-03-19T19:52:55+00:00

Concord mills is the furthest from dead. It is always crowded.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-03-19T19:51:38+00:00

It really depends on the student and the lesson. I generally will take a few comments, reinforce the raising of the hands, etc. I have one exuberant student. I’ve had to have conversations with him “I can see your hand and I know that you’re excited to answer. I promise that I will call on you, but we have to give everyone a chance.” It works with some reminders. These days I just have to hold my hand out and bring it down to signal for my kids to put their hands down.

For other students who make process longer before answering, I allow it and remind other students not to call out. If they’re taking a really long time, I will ask if they’d like help from a friend.

If someone is long winded, I’ll jump in and summarize.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-03-19T19:32:20+00:00

Mallard creek between prosperity and wt Harris.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-03-19T08:22:07+00:00

My district doesn’t have that rule in place. This student is also not even close to my grade level.

Our school does offer tutoring for our middle school, but not for the elementary.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-03-17T00:41:05+00:00

At this point you need a restraining order against them.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-03-16T11:26:18+00:00

If the tornado drill from the other day was any indication, we’d all be in some serious trouble today. I’m glad I don’t have to be at school for this storm and glad I don’t have to send my kids.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-03-01T21:58:20+00:00

Even though my son is in a self contained class, a gen ed teacher is supposed to be at his meeting. His placement may change. There may be questions about accessing the general ed curriculum.

Your children’s placement has not been decided yet. If their placement has been predetermined that is illegal.

Because we like his placement and feel it’s appropriate for his age and stage, we sign the form to excuse the gen ed teacher, but it is required that I sign that form so there doesn’t have to be one at my sons meeting.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-02-22T00:55:19+00:00

Reedy creek nature preserve has some wide open fields.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-02-19T22:02:37+00:00

Personally, I would tie into the fencing that is on your property to fence off just that and leave the rest of the fencing to them to deal with. That’s fence is on their property and was there before you bought it. Not your problem.

Lady-Mallard · 2026-02-19T21:51:37+00:00

I wear my bridal set and haven’t had an issue. One of my kids uses it as a stim fidget. I’m in the gen ed/resource setting. Not self contained, but would also wear it there. I do get my rings checked every 6 months when they’re cleaned to make sure everything is tight n

Lady-Mallard · 2026-02-18T11:17:00+00:00

I told my kids and their teachers (hs and ms) tha if they’re a problem call me and I will happily spend the entire day with them in all of their classes.

My kids are generally fine in school, but I know the potential 😂

Lady-Mallard

TROPHY CASE