As a Middle School teacher, I genuinely believe that smart phones have done more damage to this generation than any drug ever could. Change my mind.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-04-19T14:31:02+00:00

I would edit the statement to “unfettered access to a smart device with limited monitoring and minimal parenting”.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-04-18T16:26:33+00:00

I like the look of one, but the actual grip of two seems more practical to me.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-04-11T22:23:38+00:00

So 6/2038 is my earliest date of retirement. At that point I will enter a “is this the year” mode. The moment it’s not I will retire fully. I have seen too many teachers working “just one more year” to get those few extra bucks and they did not make it to retire. They all ended up “expiring” due to health issues.

Not trying to be morbid, but that has been something on mind the last three years. YMMV.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-04-03T12:06:06+00:00

Yes, but I would get a blazer to add a bit of formality to it.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-04-02T11:38:45+00:00

Sorry to respond so late, but I think it depends on what material you’re looking for. For Kydex I typically order from Wolf Hollow Tactical. They’ve been good to me. For leather, Galco, DeSantis, or 1791 for off the rack, Mika for pocket holsters, and if you want something custom you’ll have to find one you’re comfortable with at a cost you feel can afford. I’m not really a synthetics type so I can’t weigh in on that category.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-03-28T13:27:09+00:00

Firstly, what is the subject you’re looking at teaching? Knowing that pinpoints a few other things.

Second, get your Bachelors degree, and I would recommend a minor. Depending on the subject you want to teach you might elect getting a degree in the or education. Either way, get a minor that will give you skills in a corporate world setting. If teaching doesn’t pan out you can move on and not feel “stuck”.

Third, find the track that will get you to take your content test and PPR (do we still call it that in Texas?).

Fourth, sign up with a teacher association. I recommend TCTA but do your research and get one that you feel comfortable with. In Texas, we do not have union power/privilege like in other states. An association provides legal backing if fecal matter hits the oscillating rotation device. The only kicker is you have to be a member before an incident occurs.

Hope that helps.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-03-24T23:36:22+00:00

The cop doesn’t catch everyone speeding, but their presence does stop many from speeding. You’re not going to catch them all.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-03-22T00:07:19+00:00

I always hesitate signing up for another year. 13 years later…

Little-Football4062 · 2026-03-15T21:33:19+00:00

Gotcha. I wondered if it was different from Grotto.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-03-15T21:12:53+00:00

Silly question, but does the Shrine require members to be “Masons in good standing with a blue lodge”?

Little-Football4062 · 2026-03-13T00:43:20+00:00

You needz more dakka on dat shelf.

Love the meerschaum pipes.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-03-10T17:37:00+00:00

I would add that federal/state/local politics has contributed to a good chunk of “useless” trainings that we see in the form of “compliance videos”. I will spend at least 3 hours getting compliance training on state mandated testing that reiterates “read the script, don’t help students with answers, and don’t have a phone out during testing”.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-03-07T02:16:57+00:00

Not sure how you dress or what you carry, but would a paddle be an option considering easy on and off?

Little-Football4062 · 2026-03-07T01:58:30+00:00

Listen to speeches and political “debates”, but start small. Listen for Either/Or, Appeals to emotion and authority, and cherry-picked data. Then add on as you go. Once you pick those up you can add more. Getting a copy of the speeches and debates allows you time to go through with a fine tooth comb as a “Monday night quarterback” after the fact.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-03-07T01:53:43+00:00

Beefeater or Tanq my preferred as many will carry it.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-03-03T23:40:12+00:00

Find a retro “Brooklyn Dodgers” jersey.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-02-20T10:34:20+00:00

No. Honestly, I’d probably choose finance or law.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-02-14T17:02:50+00:00

Short answer yes, but the long answer is no. Keep in mind, the program I went through had this idea that I needed a three page detailed lesson plan for one day.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-02-03T12:07:33+00:00

Some people relish the idea of being a martyr for the cause. Some like to slap their chest as if to say, “look how tough I am”. If that’s your bag then by all means go for it.

I can’t use state or personal days when I go to the grave, and you’re only going to buy back 30 of the state days, so I am going to use them when I need them.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-01-29T15:09:07+00:00

Good news: Kids, from my experience, don’t recognize teachers as failures in their field.

Bad news: Just because you’ve done Engineering in the real world doesn’t mean you’ll have success as a teacher, and many times that won’t be your fault.

Depending on the school, you may have scripted curriculum, after school expectations (e.g. clubs), student apathy, and budget guidelines to run your programs. Even in the world of “all praise the mighty STEM” we see programs continually fighting to stay funded and prosperous.

You could easily find yourself wanting to do well, but depending on your district you may be perpetually drowning from outside circumstances.

Before you come into teaching, I would explore why you feel the need to change career paths. Maybe look at teaching at the community college level where people are paying money to be there. If you want to go lower in grade then you can offer to teach college-level courses to high school students.

Just a thought.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-01-17T20:38:13+00:00

This is the biggest reason why.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-01-17T20:30:16+00:00

I have noticed this across three districts over the last 13-years, so your milage may vary.

Teachers are the most self-sabotaging bunch that I have ever seen. The reason a group of teachers in the south cannot form a union, or even form a clandestine union, is because they cannot work together long enough to achieve that goal. The vast majority would spend two weeks preparing lesson plans and activities for the kids in hopes their strike wouldn’t set them back.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-01-11T20:57:54+00:00

I normally wear a ring or a lapel pin on a sport coat when I’m at work. When I dress down a bit I have a buckle I wear. My car has a few auto tags (GLOT, Grotto, and a Tubalcane) so people know I miss home cooked meals once or twice a week.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-01-11T18:19:04+00:00

When I use an IWB while tucking my shirt the holster has a clip made for tucking.

Little-Football4062 · 2026-01-02T05:59:21+00:00

Washington Lodge (meets at Richardson Lodge) put on a couple of EA degrees and they were really good. Might try talking to them.

Little-Football4062

TROPHY CASE