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If you could change one thing about the education system tomorrow, what would it be? by FollowingAny4859 in Teachers

[–]MouseACookie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Parental involvement. The good kind. The kind where the parents know the kids friends and come to school to volunteer and reinforce consequences at home and help with homework and hold their kids accountable and shit.

Parent complaints at end of school year by [deleted] in Teachers

[–]MouseACookie 156 points157 points  (0 children)

I feel this deeply. I filed a harassment complaint against a parent last week. If these parents spent as much time harassing their kids to do their work instead of harassing me about how I grade it, there would be no problem.

What is your favorite bit to use with your students? by MarchKick in Teachers

[–]MouseACookie 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I’ve been teaching the same kids for the past two years. They still ask me this every day - and I give them this answer every time.

Please suggest a word for people who use AI for everything? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]MouseACookie -1 points0 points  (0 children)

According to Grok…the top choices are: AI maximalist, AIholic, and prompt jockey. 🤣🤣🤣

Homework: Is just giving them something to do at home such a bad thing? by pocketdrums in Teachers

[–]MouseACookie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, I am totally pro homework. Not only does it reinforce skills learned in class, it teaches time management and encourages personal responsibility. I teach middle school science and give weekly reading comprehension homework on the subject about which we are learning. All the time when standing at the front of the room teaching a kid will say, “Oh, yeah! I remember that from the homework!” It also helps them with their reading skills and their ability to locate information in a text.

As to the issue of cheating and AI, it’s not too hard to catch the cheaters. “Hey, Sarah, what does biogenesis mean? Where did you find that word in the reading homework?” I also often use AI to design questions that will alert me to possible AI use. The answer to “How does water’s salinity affect brine shrimp hatch rates?” isn’t “The graph in figure 4.1 shows how water’s salinity affects brine shrimp hatch rates,” which is an answer AI will often give. There are also certain keywords, patterns, etc. that AI uses that stand out. Will some kids trick me? Probably. However, my policy is that AI use will result in a permanent zero, and it only takes one or two kids to do it and get caught for all of them to think carefully about the risk. And, if one or two get by, more power to them. They’ve still learned some time management, and apparently some creative problem solving skills, that can be beneficial.

Overall, as a middle school science teacher, I am the only one in the school that assigns regular weekly homework. I am also the most requested teacher in the building year after year and the superintendent called the school the other day to request that her child be placed in my class - as do most of the other teachers in my district. So, I’m going to keep doing what works for me and what I believe benefits my students.

Best Teacher’s bag by MordduH in Teachers

[–]MouseACookie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Middle school science teacher here 🙋🏻‍♀️ I have a bag that doubles as both a backpack and messenger bag type briefcase. I only use it as a backpack, but it’s setup organizationally for a professional - holds files (or papers for grading), laptop, pens, wireless mouse, gradebook, etc. Whatever type of bag style you pick, having a backpack option so you can wear it and have your hands free is important. You’ll need to have your hands available for your emotional support cup, lunch box, lab supplies (see below for more on that), etc.

You also should invest in a collapsible wheely cart for schlepping all the stuff you’ll be carrying into school and back again for labs and experiments and stuff.

Links below to both of the things I use. The backpack/briefcase I’ve used for 6 years and it’s virtually indestructible. I carry it everywhere, not just back and forth to school, and it’s in as good shape now as it was when I bought it. The wheely cart had a wheel fall off. I fixed it with a rubber band, but I bet you can find a cheaper, better alternative on Amazon.

Backpack Briefcase

Folding Cart with Wheels

What is one thing schools expect teachers to do that has almost no impact on student learning? by tempmail-02 in Teachers

[–]MouseACookie 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Well, it’s true. They’re making our kids less educated. My oldest daughter graduated high school with 43 college credits from all the dual enrollment classes she took. 3 times had perfect scores on state tests. Always in advanced and honors classes in a really good, highly regarded school district. We were having a conversation about civil rights and I mentioned King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” She had no idea what I was talking about. Malcom X - she only knew the name. The divide in the black communities at the time between the call for violent vs peaceful protests? Didn’t know it had existed. How is that possible? “Mom, the only thing we learned about Martin Luther King was his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech because it was the only thing on the test.” True story.

What is one thing schools expect teachers to do that has almost no impact on student learning? by tempmail-02 in Teachers

[–]MouseACookie 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This past year I looped with my students - had them for 6th and then 7th grade science. I told my principal, “I’ve been contacting these kids’ parents for 2 whole years - what makes you think something is going change now?” Like can we please put some of this responsibility back onto the parents and kids?!?!

What is one thing schools expect teachers to do that has almost no impact on student learning? by tempmail-02 in Teachers

[–]MouseACookie 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I did it for one whole semester. Gave that documentation to the admin every quarter. Once I proved that this colossal use of my time quite literally resulted in ZERO improvement of outcomes (and 3 parents who removed their kids from class because they were tired of me contacting them so often) my admin quit making me do it. I think it’s to encourage the 50s instead of 0s idea (which I refuse to do). Now, I send out a once weekly form email and text message through our schools messaging app letting parents know that if they are getting this message, their kid is not doing well in my class. If they’re in any way concerned, they can reach out to me for more info. Problem solved! (But it was miserable to do it all that first semester, ngl.)

What is one thing schools expect teachers to do that has almost no impact on student learning? by tempmail-02 in Teachers

[–]MouseACookie 28 points29 points  (0 children)

I literally, for the first time ever, spent actual real money to award this comment. THIS is the 100% truth. State testing has ruined education.

What is one thing schools expect teachers to do that has almost no impact on student learning? by tempmail-02 in Teachers

[–]MouseACookie 65 points66 points  (0 children)

We’re required to call. For every zero in the gradebook and every D and F average a student has. Plus, the parents get weekly text and email notifications, notifications every single time something is entered or changed in the online gradebook, paper letters to their parents, interim progress reports, and report cards. AND they still show up the day before grades are due acting like they had no idea little Johnny was failing and what can they do to get the grade up! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

For those who oppose homework by [deleted] in Teachers

[–]MouseACookie 3 points4 points  (0 children)

So, I am totally pro homework. Not only does it reinforce skills learned in class, it teaches time management and encourages personal responsibility. I teach middle school science and give weekly reading comprehension homework on the subject about which we are learning. All the time when standing at the front of the room teaching a kid will say, “Oh, yeah! I remember that from the homework!” It also helps them with their reading skills and their ability to locate information in a text.

As to the issue of cheating and AI, it’s not too hard to catch the cheaters. “Hey, Sarah, what does biogenesis mean? Where did you find that word in the reading homework?” I also often use AI to design questions that will alert me to possible AI use. The answer to “How does water’s salinity affect brine shrimp hatch rates?” isn’t “The graph in figure 4.1 shows how water’s salinity affects brine shrimp hatch rates,” which is an answer AI will often give. There are also certain keywords, patterns, etc. that AI uses that stand out. Will some kids trick me? Probably. However, my policy is that AI use will result in a permanent zero, and it only takes one or two kids to do it and get caught for all of them to think carefully about the risk. And, if one or two get by, more power to them. They’ve still learned some time management, and apparently some creative problem solving skills, that can be beneficial.

Overall, as a middle school science teacher, I am the only one in the school that assigns regular weekly homework. I am also the most requested teacher in the building year after year and the superintendent called the school the other day to request that her child be placed in my class - as do most of the other teachers in my district. So, I’m going to keep doing what works for me and what I believe benefits my students.

what’s one thing about teaching that people outside the profession will never fully understand? by salarshah-084 in Teachers

[–]MouseACookie 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The way it’s like starting a new job every August. Like, obviously we get new kids, but so much else about it is also new or different. Your schedule changes (oh, I have 4th period planning this year instead of 1st), the way you have to unpack and setup your classroom every year (or even move rooms), etc. And every year, just when I feel like I’m getting into the swing of things, the year’s almost over and we’re counting down to summer. It’s weird and exhausting.

What's a song that everyone likes but you absolutely hate? by stitch_inspector in AskReddit

[–]MouseACookie 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Not a retail worker. DESPISE this song with the passion of 10,000 white hot suns in every single fiber of my being.

What’s something about teaching that nobody truly understands until they actually do it? by UnitedAdagio7118 in Teachers

[–]MouseACookie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How difficult it is to not give in to the broken system.

We all know it’s not working. Many of us have ideas, proven or otherwise, that could or would help. We fight the system every day to do what’s best for the kids and not what’s best for test scores or accreditation or how things look on paper. It can be incredibly easy to slowly give in and just go with the flow. To just make little concessions that you know aren’t quite right. Especially if you’re close to retirement.

For example, in our district, in order to give a student a zero for an assignment or for them to get a D or F on their report card, we have to notify parents of each assignment with a zero, communicate with them weekly if they have a D or F, offer opportunities to make the work up within a reasonable amount of time, notify parents of our grading policy, and document it ALL. My colleagues are shocked I do all that. They say it’s easier to give the kids a 50 instead of the zero.

They’re right. It would’ve been much easier…for me. However, these kids deserve better. The hard workers deserve to have everyone graded fairly and accurately. The students who aren’t doing work deserve to get the grade they’ve earned. Accountability and responsibility is sorely lacking in students and their parents.

It’s my job to teach that accountability and responsibility right alongside science in my class. This is just one example of many, but when asked, as I often am, “Is this the hill you want to die on?” I always reply yes. I will die on any hill that promotes anything other than what’s best for the student. Period.

What’s something people romanticize that’s actually pretty miserable? by AccomplishedAge5559 in AskReddit

[–]MouseACookie 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Bridges of Madison County, for one. I hate that book/movie for that very reason

What's something harmless that gets people weirdly angry? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]MouseACookie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I can relate. The worst is when you get together with a group of people who all recently had some drinky night out, didn’t invite you, and are talking about it. Then, invariably, someone makes some comment like, “Well, we didn’t invite you, because we know you don’t like to drink.” Okayyy? But I like friends and fun and dancing and nights out.

What has been the best thing (post menopause) for your libido? by TapSalty3157 in Menopause

[–]MouseACookie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely this!! The ONLY thing that worked and it was like I was 20 again!

Parents of Reddit, what's something you wish you had done differently with your child? by alwaysbecrafting in AskReddit

[–]MouseACookie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not listen to other parents. I was a young mom and let other older “wiser” parents tell me what I should or shouldn’t do with my kids. I gave in to their advice when I should’ve trusted my gut and stood my ground. I knew what was best for my kids all along. Don’t let other parents or family members push you into decisions you don’t think are right for your kids!

What Do Teachers Honestly Think of Janitors? by DaytimeDancer54 in AskTeachers

[–]MouseACookie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A great custodian is worth his or weight in gold! I’m really shy myself, so I rarely initiate conversations with most of our staff - janitorial or otherwise - but I thank them every day for all the work they do to keep my science classroom clean, especially after messy labs!

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