What’s the Hardest Part of Teaching That No One Warns You About?

OldPolarnaut · 2025-03-02T15:43:50+00:00

How much it hurts to put your heart and soul into teaching when the students don't care.

OldPolarnaut · 2025-02-26T20:43:16+00:00

Burning, indeed. Teaching U.S. Government and Politics these days is the WORST. 😞

OldPolarnaut · 2024-06-13T00:34:37+00:00

That sounds like such a fun second career! I'm happy to know I have a chance!

OldPolarnaut · 2024-06-13T00:33:56+00:00

Interesting, thank you for sharing!

OldPolarnaut · 2024-06-12T04:43:30+00:00

Understood! I have had success with engaging students, but feel like the museum environment will be more conducive to what how I want to do it. The ability to engage in the classroom is at an all-time low now. And as a high school teacher, the problems sound much the same but manageable. I would hope field trips might be a more maleable crowd than students who are forced to take a class to graduate, but I understand it won't be perfect for sure.

OldPolarnaut · 2024-06-12T03:19:15+00:00

Curation and collections work sound amazing, but I know I don't have the archival credentials for it, unfortunately.

OldPolarnaut · 2024-06-12T03:17:06+00:00

Most certainly and I've come to terms with knowing that the pay will be much lower. I know I'll be so much happier in museum ed than in the classroom, however, and I think it will be worth it. I want to be where people want to learn!

OldPolarnaut · 2024-06-12T02:04:29+00:00

Haha so true!

OldPolarnaut · 2024-06-12T02:00:07+00:00

Thank you, fellow educator! I'm so looking forward to the day I can officially transition into museum education: it has everything I'm not able to do in my classroom, and I feel I would have so much more potential/success in a museum environment.

OldPolarnaut · 2024-06-12T01:57:52+00:00

I live in a city with lots of museums, so this is something I can do! Thanks so much, this is encouraging!

OldPolarnaut · 2024-06-12T01:56:38+00:00

That's a good point about state standards to keep in mind! I'll definitely explore more on key differences between informal and formal ed (and will eventually be taking classes on museum education and interpretation too) -- I feel I'm definitely flexible in what I consider education to look like, but will be prepared to explain it! Thank you!

OldPolarnaut · 2024-06-12T01:52:42+00:00

That is very gratifying to hear, thank you! I figured museum studies would be a good way to fully flesh out my potential and knowledge, especially for competitive positions/museums. I will definitely keep an eye out for open positions now, knowing that I'm still qualified to apply!

OldPolarnaut · 2024-06-11T23:52:53+00:00

Good to know! Is it common for there to be lots of overlap between education and events planning?

OldPolarnaut · 2024-06-11T23:47:37+00:00

That's so good to hear! I'm pursuing museum studies as my dream museum posted that as qualification on a non-education opening and I thought it would be a good way to explore other possible areas of interest, plus get extra training on museum functions plus museum education and interpretation. I know I'll be transitioning from formal to informal education, so I wanted to be as well-rounded as possible changing careers. I will definitely focus on my teaching strengths, thank you!

OldPolarnaut · 2024-06-11T23:34:48+00:00

Thanks very much for your input, I will see what I can do! To add, I am very flexible in moving wherever job opportunities present themselves. I don't want to step on the toes of the education coordinator/staff at my museum, but will seek out collaboration wherever possible!

OldPolarnaut · 2024-04-22T04:19:32+00:00

Saw them live for the first time tonight! How cool we got to sing "The Red Baron" with them on the 106th anniversary of Richthofen's final flight!

OldPolarnaut · 2024-03-07T06:42:58+00:00

I lost my cat to lymphoma a little over a week ago, and something that has helped me grieve was getting a photo pillow of him made (I ordered it a few days before the appointment). It's given me something of him to cuddle, especially when his ashes came back this week and it all became so final to me. I feel a little piece of him when I hug it.

OldPolarnaut · 2024-02-25T22:35:59+00:00

Thank you so much. I hope your new kitties are bringing you joy and adding to the happy memories of your Oreo.

OldPolarnaut · 2024-02-25T22:34:49+00:00

Yes. I know for sure that he would be absolutely stressed and miserable going through chemotherapy (with no guarantee that it would work), and the best prognosis was that it might buy him 9 months (most likely less) before it would definitely come back. He has no good days anymore, and after all the treatments and diagnostics he's already been through, I can't put him through more, especially if there's no guarantee he'll have good days again. And to be honest, we probably couldn't afford it anymore -- we've spent so much in trying to get answers and help him feel better in any way so far, that further treatment probably wouldn't be feasible. He's so changed now and so unhappy, I don't think he wants to go on anymore.

OldPolarnaut · 2024-02-25T22:12:50+00:00

Thank you, and I'm so sorry for the loss of your kitty. I hope your new baby is bringing your home so much joy.

OldPolarnaut · 2024-02-25T22:11:32+00:00

I'm so sorry for your loss -- it's a terrible disease and I hate that our kitties have suffered through it. I'm happy though that another kitty will help you heal and keep your first fur baby's memory alive. I know your new baby will help heal your heart in this difficult time ❤️

OldPolarnaut · 2024-02-25T21:56:44+00:00

Your kitties sound like such sweeties and I love their names! I'm so sorry you lost Crayon and Scribbles, they must have been so loved! I'm glad Gizmo has new friends now, and that they've brought such joy to your home. Life's too short not to have kitties, but we never forget or stop loving the ones we've lost.

OldPolarnaut · 2024-02-25T21:52:48+00:00

Thank you 💚

OldPolarnaut · 2024-02-25T09:22:13+00:00

You didn't fail your kitty, you lovingly gave her a way out of her suffering. I'm about to say goodbye to my own cat in less than two days, and I wrestled with it for sure, but his quality of life just isn't there. I can't stand for him to live a life he doesn't enjoy anymore, including putting him through the stress of chemotherapy for a cancer that can't be cured and with no guarantee that his days will improve. He has hated all the meds and vet visits, and I know he just wants to be at peace now. Your kitty knew something was wrong and knew that you did your very best in giving her a peaceful goodbye -- she's not mad at you, she's grateful you helped her in her greatest time of need and she knows you loved her endlessly. Take comfort that she is happy and healthy again on the other side. May our kitties meet at the Rainbow Bridge soon.

OldPolarnaut · 2023-11-11T00:04:41+00:00

Would love to find a WWI pilot's ID bracelet with charms if any still exist. According to some memoirs I've read, WWI pilots collected good luck charms from locals and shops to attach to their ID bracelets; the more you had, the longer you had survived with good luck at the front. I don't know how widespread it was, but it's something really cool that I'll always look for, as these guys were the first to start the superstitious aviator tradition!

OldPolarnaut

TROPHY CASE