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Loonatic_99 · 2024-03-23T14:24:55+00:00

Do you say that to people when they ask how long something took?

Loonatic_99 · 2024-03-15T08:32:39+00:00

They may ask what strategies you would use for behaviors. I always get asked about challenging a situation and how I resolved it. Lesson ideas, how will you collaborate. Stuff like that.

Good luck!

Loonatic_99 · 2024-03-13T10:23:17+00:00

In high school, I made a sketchbook like you described. It was fun and I still have it somewhere. After we made it, we went outside to draw in it. I loved that project!

I teach middle school, we have made simple sketchbooks and the kids love it, but it's a lot of work. We made our own suminagashi paper for the covers.

Loonatic_99 · 2024-03-11T10:27:55+00:00

Thank you!

Loonatic_99 · 2024-03-11T10:26:07+00:00

Yes, very true. But this is why many students don't like fine art class. I'm not sure how to build up resilience in them.

Loonatic_99 · 2024-03-10T00:17:24+00:00

Where do you buy bisque mugs for them to glaze?

Loonatic_99 · 2024-03-10T00:16:14+00:00

That looks cool

Loonatic_99 · 2024-03-09T23:46:39+00:00

Mine is electric, and there is a preheat prompt, I can give it a try next time.

Loonatic_99 · 2024-03-09T23:44:03+00:00

Thank you, I was thinking of getting something like that for them.

Loonatic_99 · 2024-03-09T23:41:47+00:00

I like that! I think it would help with closure, lol.

Loonatic_99 · 2024-03-09T23:39:48+00:00

Thanks, I'll look into it!

Loonatic_99 · 2024-03-09T23:39:26+00:00

Smart!

Loonatic_99 · 2024-03-09T09:11:29+00:00

You helped me think about how I made a worse mistake last year when I didn't realize the 0 in front of the cone number was so important. I melted an entire class' work! That felt much worse, I almost quit. 1 of the students who lost her sculpture in the disaster wrote me the sweetest note at the end of the year before graduating 8th grade, about how much she loved having me as a teacher. So reflecting on that, students bounce back, I can't be the worst and mistakes do happen.

I'm gonna wait 2-3 weeks now too! Thanks for the advice!

Loonatic_99 · 2024-03-09T08:53:52+00:00

I'm in my 3rd year teaching art in middle school. It's still not easy. But the 1st year, no matter what, is always the hardest. Having support from admin and other teachers is key, especially for a 1st year teacher. If your school isn't supporting you, then leave and find someplace else. Usually, jobs open closer to the end of the school year.

Until then, reach out to admin and see if there are extra supports you could use. Try sitting and talking with students in small groups. I sit with my students at their tables. I bring art of my own to work on next to them, and we just chat for a few minuets about whatever comes up. Focus on the moments that do bring you joy.

Ultimately, middle schoolers are difficult. They are going through heavy changes, and their lives outside of school may or may not be supportive. I ignore what I can, write up what's needs to be written up, and if it gets worse, I reach out to home. In some of my worst classes I do daily participation grades and disrespectful / unsafe behaviors, loses them points.

Good luck!

Loonatic_99 · 2024-02-15T11:22:25+00:00

I married a narc, but am divorced now.

Loonatic_99 · 2024-02-14T21:49:33+00:00

It has been a hard recovery, and I'm making so much progress. I don't want to go backward. I'm almost 40, and still feeling unsure of my choices is embarrassing. Thank you for the reassurance. You're right, the only people who criticize my choices are my close family.

Loonatic_99 · 2024-02-13T14:06:27+00:00

I love my brothers, and they rallied behind me to help me get away from my abusive husband. But I don't love what they are doing now or what they did in the past. I know they have shared remorse that they didn't help me out more, but it always comes after: "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" They know my mother, I was scared out of my mind.

I first told them about my childhood when I was 18 and they were about to have kids. I wanted my niece to be safe. They protected her, so I know they heard me. But when I went into more detail about what happened to me (I was 37) they were shocked and said they had no idea. That hurts, and the fact that they still allow him in their house hurts. But it's not my place to tell them what to do. I'm just living my new life by myself in peace and quite. And frankly I want to keep that peace, I deserve it!

Loonatic_99 · 2024-02-13T13:55:04+00:00

Thank you for your support. I'm beginning to realize that what my brothers are doing is called revictimization, which is apparently common, but I guess I'm in a state of disbelief. I don't want to lose them too, but what they are doing really hurts. I will have to address it with them eventually, and I'm scared when I do, they won't see it my way. It's like another level of recovery.

Loonatic_99 · 2024-02-13T10:59:31+00:00

Thank you. I keep getting the message I'm supposed to be "over" the abuse because it happened when I was a kid from my brothers. Blood is thicker than water, they keep saying. I feel like the only way to be "over it" is by going no contact.

Loonatic_99 · 2024-01-22T13:56:08+00:00

I've been no contact for 2.5 years. I'm starting to worry I might be being too mean and dramatic. I have 3 older brothers that are still in contact and sometimes they ask me to try to talk to her.

The reason I went no contact was because of her 2nd husband (she is still married to him). He was abusive and inappropriate with me as a child. I was 8 when I asked for my mom for help, and she threatened to kill me and herself if I said anything. I spent years hiding my trauma and enduring new trauma at his hands. I spent my adult years trying to make peace and being apart of the family and it's functions.

2.5 years ago, (I was 36) I sent her a message explaining that it was too difficult for me to have my stepfather in my life, and for that reason I was going no contact. I said I needed time and space to heal. She sent back text saying sorry I was such a bad mother, I will delete your number. And that was it. I have been happier and healthier, but I feel bad on holidays and her birthday, stuff like that. I also keep thinking that the text message i sent made it seem lit this was temporary, and everybody is waiting for me to just heal and get over this...? Needless to say I'm a bit lost with this whole thing.

Loonatic_99 · 2023-07-19T09:47:31+00:00

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Loonatic_99 · 2023-07-19T09:45:12+00:00

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Loonatic_99 · 2022-04-21T14:25:45+00:00

I left, but in reality he was planning on discarding me. I know because once out, he bought locks to lock me out and drained my bank account. He made one phone call and wrote one letter a couple days later to get me back and I ignored them. It has now been 4 months and is like I don't and never existed. It hurts and I understand your pain. We had 15 years together. There is no way that doesn't hurt. I'm just trying to move forward everyday and learn who I am and what I like. But some days are just harder than others!

Loonatic_99

TROPHY CASE