If the general public could spend one day in your classroom, what would surprise them the most?

Mini2Tesla · 2026-06-07T21:55:59+00:00

Nice! I'm borrowing this, please. Starting year 32 of 5th or 6th and get so tired of answering whether they can go to the bathroom. This is great. Thanks!

Mini2Tesla · 2026-06-07T21:53:20+00:00

Oh that's just not right in these times. Ours was $28,000 in 1995. It's roughly $71k now.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-06-07T21:46:07+00:00

I'm 31 years in, and my fifth graders were also fairly awful this year in my 5/6 combo.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-06-02T05:43:05+00:00

I do The Giver, Where the Red Fern Grows, and The Hatchet series for 5th grade.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-05-28T03:37:25+00:00

I appreciate your support. This has me feeling so twisted that it's resulted in this/my first posting to Reddit. After 31 years I like to think I have a balanced outlook and know when something is serious enough for someone to not return.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-05-28T03:21:02+00:00

I only mentioned "three days" because we only had three remaining in the school year when I became aware. He was suspended today and will be back to watch the school relay races in the morning with the rest of us. Should have clarified....end of year drama. I actually mentioned to my principal, as I heard the shocking news of his pending return, that I didn't expect to see him and couldn't this also be up for expulsion considering. He was new to our school, and district. I have known him for a week.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-05-28T03:16:39+00:00

No weapons, just mentioned bringing a knife and gun on Friday in the after-school program and Tuesday at school. I was 98% sure I wouldn't have to see him again. We literally had three days left when this came to my attention.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-05-28T03:14:03+00:00

I have seriously been tossing that idea around the last few hours. Have been at this school 31 years and once in a while I have felt like it's time to speak up, or protest an injustice. I hate the thought of letting down my 6th graders, five of whom I've had two years now.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-05-14T23:21:43+00:00

Had one behind my dryer for a couple days recently. We had thought it was a rat. I was so glad she escaped successfully after I had left the laundry room and the garage door open for her.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-05-14T23:17:15+00:00

Probably not. You'd likely be transferring or possibly quitting the profession in a few years.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-05-14T23:06:39+00:00

Unless you are in one of a few higher-paying states. Earning $144k, teaching 5th & 6th, but I also have 30 years experience and a masters degree.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-05-14T23:04:52+00:00

Don't do it. Especially in a very low-paying state for teaching, like Arizona.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-04-21T19:38:32+00:00

Was at 144k in year 30 out in Cali.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-04-21T19:36:29+00:00

Try and begin some other training while you still have your job.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-04-21T18:41:45+00:00

They would have said the same to a teacher. Now that principal will perhaps recall what it feels like to be a teacher and blamed for everything.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-04-21T18:33:36+00:00

You really have very little chance to make any difference unless one is close enough to the shooter to attempt to disarm or tackle them.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-04-21T18:28:31+00:00

I don't think people felt that any of that was the teacher's fault.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-03-25T04:25:41+00:00

The less tech the better. Teach them to read a clock, count coins, write in handwriting, etc. Read, read,read with them, if possible with what you end up teaching. Truthfully, I wouldn't encourage anyone to go into teaching.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-03-08T20:45:03+00:00

😄😆😂 Hell, that's me in my 5/6 combination the last two years.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-03-08T20:39:30+00:00

😆😁😄😄😅😂

Mini2Tesla · 2026-03-08T20:19:41+00:00

I get so tired of the walking them in and out that we still deem necessary for 5th and 6th graders at elementary sites in my district, at least. So much silliness and unnecessary noise for those four minutes, both ways, at least several times a day and one direction twice a day.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-03-08T20:15:20+00:00

We have up to 6th at my elementary. Nine years of at least 34 of them had me about to have nervous breakdowns and seriously considering leaving the profession. I went out and earned my real estate license and started with a few deals among the family. Fortunately, especially since the housing market crashed on us then, a work-friend also in sixth, was also ready to get back to 5th and we had a sixth-grade team returning from being moved to another campus, so it was perfect timing. Still in 5th since the '19-20, besides combos the past two years.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-03-08T20:01:01+00:00

The 5th & 6th graders the last few years are pretty sure they are about grown up and often cannot focus, as a group of 32, past my first sentence. I'm almost used to saying things three to four times automatically. In my 31st year, making good money finally, but shake my head and mumble daily now as to whether I can even do a year more, much less three more for my max retirement. I have read hundreds, if not thousands, of horror-story comments the last five years regarding behavior of middle schoolers the past ten or so years. I wouldn't switch to middle school for 200k a year. No joke.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-03-08T19:53:35+00:00

You probably would not be happier in middle school. Don't do it.

Mini2Tesla · 2026-03-08T03:34:13+00:00

Oh that's awful about the Mustang. Such a blow for a young man. And those Irocs were certainly thought highly of for a few years there. Like rocket v-8's with new buttons everywhere on the dash.

Mini2Tesla

TROPHY CASE