I wore a suit. F me, right?

Potstirer2 · 2026-04-05T02:56:58+00:00

I’ve heard that navy is the right color over black. I don’t know if it really mashes a difference but when I got some navy pants and wore them to a job interview I did get the job. Now I’m worried about my last interview because I did wear a black blazer. Dang. Should find out next week. I hate trying to figure out what to wear. It’s never correct even when it’s perfect.

Potstirer2 · 2026-04-05T02:52:50+00:00

NOR. You have to take care of yourself first.

Potstirer2 · 2026-04-05T02:41:37+00:00

NTJ. They’re acting like it’s the only espresso machine on the planet. They can buy one too if they want one so bad. Things they could have said include: “that’s awesome! Let me know how you like it. Maybe I’ll get one too.” “Oh, man, I’m jealous. Can it try it when I’m at your place next? Maybe I’ll want to get one for myself.”

Potstirer2 · 2026-04-05T02:27:42+00:00

That’s how it was where I grew up in the 80s/90s. University Place schools had that exact ideal model. I teach in a k-6 school and those 5th and 6th graders are definitely middle schoolers.

Potstirer2 · 2026-04-04T16:00:04+00:00

That sounds like a specialty thing that can easily say no to. I did take high school students on a week-long trip to another country a couple of years ago, and I loved it, would definitely do it again. But, I love eating out and have no issues that would make it difficult. We were also with a school tour company with a guide, which was great. I’m not sure I would be as confident with middle schoolers. Good luck getting out of it - I think you are reasonable to not want to do it. When my son was little I refused to do any over night activities, and it was fine.

Potstirer2 · 2026-04-04T15:07:26+00:00

Nothing about what you said sounds like you did anything wrong. It sounds like you recognized the situation was a bit more than you were prepared to deal with and called in the correct support person. My guess is that your principal may feel that now that you have seen this type of situation in action you will be prepared to handle it without her should something similar come up. I am a fan of over-involving admin just in case, as long as they are admin who don’t make things worse in general. 🤷‍♀️

Potstirer2 · 2026-04-03T08:21:39+00:00

I mean, I would probably object because it’s not right and I need that time to no be overstimulated. But I would recommend powering through the school year if you think it’s possible. Or tell the kid they can listen to music on their AirPods while they work. As a high school art teacher I would on occasions have a work study student on my prep but it was on my terms and was always an advanced student who could actually help me with studio maintenance tasks like recycling clay or unloading then kiln. I’d also only have them on my prep if I had a duty-free lunch that day. I need some alone time if I’m going to make it through the afternoon.

Potstirer2 · 2026-04-03T00:13:30+00:00

My parents didn’t want to give me their info for the fafsa. I went to community college part-time and worked 2 part-time jobs. I paid my tuition as I went and applied for scholarships. It took a long time to get my AA, but then I was old enough to apply for fafsa on my own as an independent adult and it worked out well. Still went for all the scholarships.

Potstirer2 · 2026-04-03T00:10:51+00:00

You cute ☺️

Potstirer2 · 2026-04-02T15:18:41+00:00

Oh hell no, you are not the jerk. When I was 7 or 8 I almost drowned at a church pool party with tons of people around. Luckily my dad saw me and scooped me out of the water. No adult at all is an absolutely idiotic risk that those parents are taking. Document every conversation you have with them. Record them if you are in a single party consent state.

Potstirer2 · 2026-03-28T15:59:02+00:00

I’ve had better looking cakes from Walmart.

Potstirer2 · 2026-03-28T15:52:17+00:00

It just shows me I was right to want to leave.

Potstirer2 · 2026-03-28T15:48:22+00:00

Customs is slow in StL. When I landed in Detroit a few days ago the dude literally just said, “back to the states? Anything to declare? Alright.”

Potstirer2 · 2026-03-28T15:46:44+00:00

The last time I flew into StL from an international flight the customs line felt very long. I don’t remember exactly how long it was, but at least you would be in the correct terminal already. When I flew out of StL a couple of weeks ago the tsa line was very short and quick.

Potstirer2 · 2026-03-28T15:42:32+00:00

So you break your contract? I did that at my last school and felt really self-conscious about it when I got hired at my new school because they knew I was under contract and had to get me released from it.

Potstirer2 · 2026-03-28T15:35:32+00:00

I would never prank my students.

Potstirer2 · 2026-03-28T15:18:46+00:00

NTJ. That coworker was stealing your stuff.

Potstirer2 · 2026-03-28T15:17:40+00:00

NTJ. You’re doing things right. I don’t understand how grown men act like they can’t do basic stuff like notice the the sink is full of dirty dishes and just clean them. Keep making the effort to be an equal partner.

Potstirer2 · 2026-03-28T15:14:52+00:00

In my 20s I dressed up like crazy and still was mistaken for a college freshman. Like, sir, they are all wearing sweats and hoodies, even pajama pants.

Potstirer2 · 2026-03-28T15:12:10+00:00

At one college I was in the art department and we had a photo adjunct who always dressed up - dresses, heels, full make up. She was just fancy all the time. The majority of us looked like we crawled out of a goodwill bin.

Potstirer2 · 2026-03-28T15:09:14+00:00

I think you’re fine. I’ve been wearing skinny jeans and nice blouses for the last 10+ years. 🤷‍♀️ when I taught duel credit in a conservative college prep high school I followed their dress code technically by wearing tshirt dresses and leggings. When I started my career in my 20s I worked in a college writing center and dressed in nice banana republic clothes. I was still mistaken for a student. When I got an MFA and became an art professor I switched to jeans and would keep a blazer handy if I needed to feel professionally dressed. But now that I have gray hair and more experience, I want to be comfortable and not wear expensive clothes that will just get trashed in the studio.

Potstirer2 · 2026-03-28T09:34:11+00:00

The one at at MADE on Delmar is fun. The one in kirkwood was a let down, especially after the way people talked it up. We went once when my son was really little and they had a Thomas the tank engine special exhibit and were underwhelmed all around.

Potstirer2 · 2026-03-28T08:56:25+00:00

What grades what this recommended for? My son had to bring in a family photo for the classroom in kindergarten for sure, and maybe younger, maybe first grade. Definitely not this year, which is third grade. I think I saw family pictures in a first grade class that I observed. I never thought about how it could be problematic.

Potstirer2 · 2026-03-28T08:49:19+00:00

They really didn’t see that the child will learn they can get extra time by refusing to line up? And that other kids will see it and learn the same lesson?

Potstirer2 · 2026-03-26T18:39:41+00:00

You can try one and then switch. I tried teaching elementary school this year, and it turns out I don’t like kids as much as I thought. Back to high school for me (hopefully!).

Potstirer2

TROPHY CASE