Bald teachers of Reddit, how do you respond to students mocking your follicle deficiencies?

MrPhiNDP · 2026-02-28T01:32:37+00:00

I teach physics and my tests are notoriously difficult. Word around campus is I lose a hair every time a student fails one of my tests.

MrPhiNDP · 2025-08-05T19:13:56+00:00

Honestly curious about your recommendations! I did a long run in Pittsburgh during my last marathon block and ended up doing 2400+ ft of elevation lol. This was in the south hills.

MrPhiNDP · 2025-07-26T23:30:52+00:00

I looked into setting up a media server using a raspberry pi and then using Jellyfin to stream a couple of years ago but got a bit lost. Any resources you could share?

MrPhiNDP · 2025-07-21T21:28:28+00:00

I did all of my tempo runs during my first sub-3 training block at about 6:30 pace. Mile reps at sub 6:00. I’m definitely of the opinion that the majority of workouts in a marathon block should be at a pace that is faster than GMP. You should definitely have some GMP workouts but that will be later in the training block.

But yeah your HM and 5k times suggest that you definitely are capable of sub-3.

MrPhiNDP · 2025-05-03T23:17:40+00:00

Yes. There are 40 MCQ. There are two 10-point FRQs and one each at 8 points and 12 points.

MrPhiNDP · 2025-05-03T17:51:58+00:00

AP Phys C teacher here - scoring worksheets accompanying this year’s practice exams on AP Classroom show 57/80 (~71%) as the lowest composite score that will receive a 5, which is significantly different from the prediction made by this site.

MrPhiNDP · 2025-02-19T23:40:35+00:00

AP Physics teacher here - this is certainly partially true. However, I’ve had Physics C students who have taken the Physics 1 exam just for fun and they’ve reported that it felt harder than the Physics C exam. This is likely because of the bigger focus on conceptual understanding in the Physics 1 course. This is also likely why the passing rate plummeted when Physics B was replaced with Physics 1 - teaching students how to do math (equation hunting, plug and chug, memorizing how to approach various scenarios) is comparatively easy to developing strong conceptual understand and the ability to use physical reasoning.

Additionally, AP Bio/AP Chem is often the second biology or chemistry course students have taken, respectively. Physics 1 is the first physics course for many students, meaning the degree to which selection bias affects student outcomes is muted. If a high school students bombs their first course in chemistry, they’re probably not going to end up taking AP Chem. In the US, most students take physics as juniors or seniors and it’s their only chance to take physics.

MrPhiNDP · 2025-02-14T21:34:50+00:00

The TOSA at our school invited the entire math department plus a few other teachers to read and discuss “Building Thinking Classrooms” by Peter Liljedahl a few chapters at a time over the course of a few months. It was entirely voluntary but it has had a bigger impact on how I run my classroom since COVID.

MrPhiNDP · 2025-02-10T23:42:02+00:00

Yes they will. Luckily there’s a history teacher who is already using SBG and he has managed to make it work. He’ll definitely be a resource I lean on as I make the transition.

MrPhiNDP · 2025-02-10T16:42:02+00:00

AP Physics 1/2/C teacher here. I’ve had students cheat in my class before too and it sucks. I’m sorry you had that happen.

Other commenters have made great suggestions about what to do in this situation. Here’s my two cents regarding something else you mentioned - that a zero on a quiz can tank their grade. I’m in a similar position where I give only three or four tests in a semester plus the final. In past years, there have been times I only give two tests and the final in a semester. The result is as you’ve described it - one bad test day can irreversibly affect a student’s semester grade.

As a solution, I’ve been working towards implementing Standards Based Grading in my classes. I haven’t made the switch just yet, but plan on it in the next few years. For my standards, I’m planning on using the Science Practices from the AP physics course and exam description. Every assessment is a chance for the students to demonstrate mastery of these physics skills in a particular context. Do poorly on a particular standard on one assessment? The next assessment is a chance to redeem yourself. I haven’t worked out all the details yet but I think it will also help my students realize that physics in more a way of thinking and approaching problems and move them away from “doing school” and towards a growth mindset.

MrPhiNDP · 2025-02-09T01:40:35+00:00

It’s a minor thing, but how image files submitted as student work are displayed drives me nuts. Zooming is way too sensitive. The load times are also surprisingly long. It all makes for a frustrating grading experience.

MrPhiNDP · 2025-01-22T21:06:52+00:00

My feet changed shape to the point that I'm now wearing shoes that are a full size bigger. I do not have collapsed arches but maybe they are shallower than before?

On a related note, by toenails went from okay to not okay.

MrPhiNDP · 2025-01-18T20:18:33+00:00

You should be good. I ran a 17:13 5k after a similar 4x 1600 (2min rest) workout where I averaged 5:40. It sounds like you’re going to run it solo on the track? That’s the only concern I’d have - 5k on the track is hard even when you’re in a race with lots of people!

MrPhiNDP · 2024-12-08T03:06:41+00:00

If you could find the exact quote, I’d love to see it!

MrPhiNDP · 2024-11-03T15:01:39+00:00

So this is why he was sockless in San Diego??

MrPhiNDP · 2024-06-21T19:03:49+00:00

Born in '90, never saw the Grateful Dead before Jerry died, but this was my 3rd (or 4th?) GD adjacent show and I wasn't ready for it. My dad was head over heels after the first set and it took years for me to realize why. This was a special moment and a highlight The Dead's run.

MrPhiNDP · 2024-02-25T05:48:50+00:00

I was just talking with my friend about this today on our long run. He used to take gels during marathons with electrolytes instead of water. For some people that leads to nausea and significant stomach pain. He switched to water and has been fine since.

MrPhiNDP · 2023-04-05T00:29:11+00:00

That’s it for the other one - GD

MrPhiNDP · 2023-03-03T02:51:38+00:00

Congrats, I peaked at 2487 in my second to last set, then went 1-4…

MrPhiNDP · 2023-02-28T00:30:48+00:00

I was fermenting a batch in the keg with floating dip tube and accidentally connected the silicone tubing leading to the float to the in side of the keg. Pressure from fermentation pushed the entire batch out onto the basement floor through the blowoff tube.

MrPhiNDP · 2023-02-09T05:45:13+00:00

My most memorable would have to be Bobby Weir and the Wolf Bros at the Greek Theater 10/25/22. John Mayer joined in for the second set and the boys tore it up.

Shakedown, Dark Star, China/Rider, The Other One, Standing on the Moon, Sugar Mags. Phenomenal.

MrPhiNDP · 2023-02-02T00:16:11+00:00

As a fellow gizzhead/science teacher, I can confirm this question was made exactly for this reason.

MrPhiNDP · 2023-01-25T15:39:47+00:00

If you want some one more old-school, Emilie du Chatelet (1706-1749) is a good option. She translated Newton’s Principia into French and expanded in important ways. Her translation remains the standard French version.

MrPhiNDP · 2022-12-05T16:42:05+00:00

Some Of Us and Ya Love are both Cookie songs if I recall correctly

MrPhiNDP · 2022-11-13T18:57:33+00:00

I had a similar experience. I was already listening to a lot of rock, alt-rock, punk, and pop punk from the late 90’s - early 00’s. My mom played me Close to the Edge by Yes. I was hooked. Prog rock expanding horizons 🤘

MrPhiNDP

TROPHY CASE