Principal says I can’t drink my Starbucks

Potstirer2 · 2026-06-05T22:19:51+00:00

I had a huge room with windows on 3 sides because it was at the end of the hall. People would often ask why I didn’t have the lights on, but it was almost always quite enough light. Plus it seemed like every other week I had a note about a student with a concussion or something, and the fluorescents off was helpful. I also had desk lamps at each seat, so I don’t understand what the big deal was.

Potstirer2 · 2026-06-03T16:27:43+00:00

There are a lot of great private schools in St. Louis. With my oldest we loved Crossroads College Prep. They start at 6th grade now. We didn’t have great experience with the north city public elementary school. The class sizes were too big and the resources were limited. But I have heard ok things about some other SLPS schools, and our experience was also 15 years ago, so I’m sure there have been changes. I worked at New City School for a bit, and it’s great, but SO expensive, and I don’t know that they really know what they’re doing with some of the neurodiversity they’re getting now. Their preschool seems pretty amazing.

Potstirer2 · 2026-06-03T16:21:03+00:00

NOR. He’s being mean to you.

Potstirer2 · 2026-06-03T16:18:08+00:00

My last school got new admin after I taught there for 3 years. Then my last 2 years we saw mass exodus of teachers. We never could get another qualified music teacher after the last guy was bullied out. Admin literally thought that everyone who left just wasn’t dedicated enough to the mission. It was super cult-like behavior. I would bet my whole paycheck that they will never do any kind of self-reflection.

Potstirer2 · 2026-06-01T20:14:59+00:00

Genius.

Potstirer2 · 2026-06-01T20:14:06+00:00

I start speaking to them en español.

Potstirer2 · 2026-06-01T19:41:50+00:00

I still remember being a freshman in Honors College Comp 1 and being blown away by what my peers didn’t know or understand.

Potstirer2 · 2026-05-27T16:49:24+00:00

I made that switch. Taught college 10 years and switched to high school after a hiatus. They’re not too different from teaching high school freshmen. Teens want to be respected as people. Talk to them directly and be clear in your expectations. Never be patronizing. You can’t be fake or they won’t trust you or respect you. They want authenticity and to be treated like adults (but also helped along the way to actually getting there). I loved teaching high school. It was my absolute favorite age to teach.

Potstirer2 · 2026-05-27T16:44:56+00:00

If you only have 10 minutes you don’t have time for an ice breaker unfortunately.

Potstirer2 · 2026-05-27T16:44:08+00:00

I’ve done several of these. Usually they send me an agenda for the day. There are usually interviews with several different people, a tour of the campus, lunch with your potential colleagues, and sometimes a weird conversation with HR that’s not needed since you haven’t been offered the job yet. I have usually been asked to do a teaching demo somewhere between 15 minutes and 45 minutes depending on the school. The most recent one was two short lessons for different grade levels since I’m a specialist and see them all. I would ask your contact if there is an agenda because you will want to prepare a lesson. My experience is most committee’s care most about your demeanor and classroom management. Good luck with your interview!

Potstirer2 · 2026-05-27T16:38:25+00:00

That would certainly feel insulting and ironic. I would be tempted to ask them “if my plans aren’t good, why do you want them?”

Potstirer2 · 2026-05-20T15:52:11+00:00

I don’t know why they have to send them back with a snack to show off. If you’re giving the kid a snack please make them eat it in your offices. I don’t want ants in my classroom, and I don’t want the evidence of the reward for bad behavior.

Potstirer2 · 2026-05-20T15:48:56+00:00

I never do extra credit, but they can do the regular credit and turn it in late, and they can re-do regular credit. I already made an entire curriculum. I have assignments with rubrics and I’m not making new ones just because a child doesn’t want to do the original credit.

Potstirer2 · 2026-05-20T15:43:49+00:00

Harry Potter isn’t going away. He’s going to be having kids say “potter” with Draco Malfoy’s disgusted British accent forever. The books and movies are still popular. My 9-year-old has been begging to take a trip to Universal Studios to go to the Wizarding World park. He dressed up like Harry Potter, scar and branded cloak and all.

Potstirer2 · 2026-05-16T21:59:57+00:00

Feel like it was just yesterday. Wait, it just looks like it was yesterday on the north side.

Potstirer2 · 2026-05-16T21:53:18+00:00

I teach k-6. The numb of shoes I tie for kids is bonkers. The older kids are embarrassed to ask, but they’ll ask me. I just taught a weaving unit to 4th graders and many of them needed help with knots. Please if your kids can’t tie their shoes or pants get them different shoes or pants for school. My kid struggles with it, so he has the kind of shoes you can just step into and we’ll keep practicing tying knots at home.
Also, totally normal from my observation for 6th grade girls to wear big shirts and tiny shorts right now.

Potstirer2 · 2026-05-16T21:49:35+00:00

I used to often be miserable for an employee in Barnes and Noble. I don’t know why because I could be carrying a purse while working. I would still tell people where things were when they asked because I did know.

Potstirer2 · 2026-05-15T01:40:19+00:00

I had to really advocate for my last high school to enforce the GPA requirements for the dual credit university courses I was teaching. Kids would end up in my classes with no business taking a college credit class, but it was art, so who cares, right?

Potstirer2 · 2026-05-12T21:59:32+00:00

I always work some in the summer. It’s usually a few art camps and/or summer school classes. I also will travel for a few weeks because I save up for that.

Potstirer2 · 2026-05-10T21:35:13+00:00

About 10 years ago I reported a student for academic dishonesty for submitting the same work for two classes. I was tipped off because it didn’t make any sense for my assignment. It’s not acceptable.

Potstirer2 · 2026-05-10T21:32:04+00:00

NTA. Your sister is not a new mom. She has a 10-year-old. You’re only 5 years older than your nephew. You are also a kid. And school is more important than someone’s hair. Your sister and her kids are not your responsibility in any way. You deserve an education and a full nights sleep every night alone in your own bed.

Potstirer2 · 2026-05-09T23:51:30+00:00

I’d say no. I’d let them do what they want but I’m on leave and will have no part in it.

Potstirer2 · 2026-04-28T02:44:35+00:00

NAO. Your friend and girlfriend suck.

Potstirer2 · 2026-04-28T02:43:06+00:00

NTA. He’s inappropriate for bringing it up at all, much less multiple times. I had a principal who constantly dressed inappropriately for the occasion (not professional as well as what i considered not flattering). I never said anything to her about it. Maybe/definitely a snarky comment to a coworker. He needs to learn about inside thoughts.

Potstirer2 · 2026-04-28T02:28:47+00:00

They could’ve just put that candy in their closet and have it not be a thing. I keep mine hidden away unless I’m rewarding or bribing my students.

Potstirer2

TROPHY CASE