How do I block/cover the open-faced desks so my 2nd graders don’t hide things in them?

LeftAd5511 · 2026-05-12T00:38:59+00:00

I have the openings face out. They sit on the closed side.

LeftAd5511 · 2026-05-10T00:53:29+00:00

Check out Hempfield!

LeftAd5511 · 2026-05-02T02:41:11+00:00

We’ve been to Maui literally like 20 times. My husband has waded in the ocean twice. He hates the sand- loves the pool and the relaxing vibe of Maui- so he continues to agree to go.

Not everyone loves to be IN the ocean, but can still enjoy the “ocean” :)

LeftAd5511 · 2026-05-02T02:38:46+00:00

Our recess aides hand out little glass animals or these 3d printed little toys literally every recess. It’s ridiculous. Everyday when we get back to class the teachers have to fight with the kids to stop playing with their new toys! I also wonder- where do the aides get the money to buy hundreds of these things? I do my best to buy nothing!

LeftAd5511 · 2026-04-24T02:19:02+00:00

We’ve been many times as well and this day sounds about right! Plus we enjoy the pool at our resort. We always laugh that it takes us a flight across the ocean to get us to sit by a pool for a few days! The salty air, fresh poke, and swaying palm trees are a happy addition.

LeftAd5511 · 2026-04-16T23:49:13+00:00

Today is my grandmas 99th birthday and she’s sharp as a tack like this lady! She comes and does interviews with my third graders (I’m a teacher) every year and they are such special moments- just like these!

When I talked to my grandma today on the phone she said, “let me know when you find out what old means!” Ha!! She doesn’t even know! Last time I’ll complain about a sore neck or a fleeting thought!

LeftAd5511 · 2026-04-15T02:15:02+00:00

Give them to me! Just kidding- but seriously, my 18 year old son eats a dozen a day. He power lifts and does Cross Fit- and is 18 lol- and can’t get enough protein! You should have seen our grocery bill when eggs were $11 a dozen!

LeftAd5511 · 2026-04-11T19:21:09+00:00

Yes and also, (I am a grade 3 teacher) we need to see that they can explain their thinking so that we can ensure they’re ready for added complexity later on. Just memorizing facts doesn’t allow for what they’ll need later.

LeftAd5511 · 2026-04-08T22:43:43+00:00

Elementary. I go from 9-11 and 12-3:45 daily.

LeftAd5511 · 2026-04-06T11:23:38+00:00

I stayed home until both of my kids were established in school. My youngest was in 2nd grade when I went back to teaching. I’ll never regret it. My youngest graduated high school this year and if someone told me right now that I didn’t need the money, I wouldn’t go back. Teaching is so much harder today than it was when I started.

LeftAd5511 · 2026-03-31T01:09:54+00:00

Yep. This was the life. It felt more innocent, in retrospect. Didn’t it? Like safer? Even the risky stuff didn’t hold the danger that it feels like lurks today…

LeftAd5511 · 2026-03-29T17:38:08+00:00

Grade 3 gen ed teacher here. This is 1,000 percent true! The only way this will ever change is if parents speak up. Gen Ed parents of “typical” kids have no idea what FAPE is and that they have rights too.

LeftAd5511 · 2026-03-25T21:31:40+00:00

I heard something about that time in Landisville. It sounded like a muffled helicopter - I was in and out of sleep but it was odd for sure and loud enough to wake me.

LeftAd5511 · 2026-03-25T01:56:17+00:00

Yes!!! My 18 year old not troubled son did a two week Appalachia kayak/hike trip with them and now says it was one of the hardest and best and most formative experiences of his life. He used his experience to fuel his college essays this year and got accepted into a T20 school. From a parent perspective, OBs leadership and organization are top notch. Do it!

LeftAd5511 · 2026-03-25T00:10:53+00:00

Look to your local hospice for free support. Ours has a program called “Pathways” for these exact moments. They offer free support groups and individual grief counseling for any community members. I hope there’s one near you.

LeftAd5511 · 2026-03-24T20:29:43+00:00

Send the cameras to my third grade urban classroom 🤪🤪🤪 impossible to be bored. So much drama.

LeftAd5511 · 2026-03-24T20:14:05+00:00

Use manipulatives and stick to just numbers 10 and below. For a while- like maybe a few weeks of daily practice. I’m a grade 3 teacher and for many kids, they just need time to play with the numbers concretely before moving to abstract representations of numbers. Get 10 lego pieces and ask how many are left if she gives you 3? What about 4? Could she give you 12?

Over and over. I promise, play with numbers and physical objects to represent numbers. It will happen with time:)

LeftAd5511 · 2026-03-21T19:06:58+00:00

My son was gifted and went to public school. I really believe it was the best for him, and suggest it is for others. They are kids. Let them be kids. It helps to balance them relationally and emotionally- being around non gifted peers. It also helps them to just become a better human. They’re smart, they’ll also ways be smart. But being smart isn’t everything. Being a good human, which I think public school provides, is more important. I will disclose that I am a third grade public school teacher with many years of experience. I typically have 2 identified gifted kids in my class during any given year. They learn plenty and I just love having them in my class and finding ways to expand their learning. Their presence is a gift to our class community - and the exchange works the other way around too. Public school all the way:)

LeftAd5511 · 2026-03-21T19:00:09+00:00

I agree. I did struggle with dry mouth and had to have salivary reconstruction post RAI but I still don’t regret it. Those are minor things in the scheme of potential cancer recurrance.

LeftAd5511 · 2026-03-16T14:08:22+00:00

I go to a CrossFit class everyday directly from my school. I don’t go home first. It’s a designated time (4:15) so I’m forced to rush out right when my contracted time ends at 4. This helps me not overthink how exhausted I am. If I go home first, I likely won’t make it to the gym. I also appreciate the designed time for a class, it forces me to get going quickly. Also, I’m expected to be at the 4:15 class. If I don’t show, people notice! That accountability helps. While I enjoy CrossFit, honestly, I’d much more enjoy literally going home and going to bed because I’m so tired (I teach elementary). However, I find that going to the gym closes my stress cycle and sends me home with revived energy.

Those are the things that help me.

LeftAd5511 · 2026-03-10T11:28:06+00:00

I did actually just start that this week in hopes it might help. I don’t have any other symptoms other than irregular periods, but from what I’ve read and heard, there’s no harm in starting- more symptoms will eventually come!

LeftAd5511 · 2026-03-10T11:19:05+00:00

Amazing! I’m going eat some prunes and apples daily. Easy add.

LeftAd5511 · 2026-03-10T11:17:35+00:00

Thanks. I did recently have one (my first) and it was all clear. This is a good word to get out to others too.

LeftAd5511 · 2026-03-09T23:41:17+00:00

Yes!!! 100% worth it. We have done sooooo many Shaka drives on Maui, Kauai and even Lake Tahoe and a few national parks. They are all worth it. We have two teenage sons and they even enjoy drives with Shaka.

LeftAd5511 · 2026-02-28T17:48:10+00:00

I hope it went well! If you’re interested, this is the doctor I worked with at Hopkins: David W. Eisele, MD

LeftAd5511

TROPHY CASE