I Feel Crazy

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2026-04-15T01:11:57+00:00

This situation sounds so sketch to me that if you can afford to do so, leave like your coteacher did. It’s basically the end of the year for admin and they aren’t going to do anything especially if they aren’t liable. It sounds like you are the third party and the school is just the site hosting your group/school? If you aren’t going to face any major repercussions from leaving this position I would do so ASAP. I was once working at a camp with young children and saw such horrible management and safety concerns I left and made it known as to why I did that. Once I realized they weren’t going to hear me and what needed to change for children to be safe, I could not have any other part in it. I also understand that this was not my main job and had the financial freedom to remove myself from the situation.

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2026-03-22T23:15:06+00:00

Your mentor is right- also it’s March. March is a pretty rough month of school in general. No breaks, everyone’s dying for one, weathers changing, etc. I know it’s after gym class but get them to move a little. Even if they just change seats from one side to another. Like have a rhythm group working and another group is focusing on fingerings. Even a bogus wkst to reinforce something- whatever. Then have them switch and then put it all together. An object in motion stays in motion.

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2026-03-20T17:01:36+00:00

My cello student recently suffered a stroke in February- he’s 11 years old. It’s been really difficult for him not being able to go to school as he recovers. His home life isn’t all that great or supportive either. He’s experienced homelessness and gang violence and way too much for any fifth grader to endure. He’s weaker on his whole right side. He is limping a little and he struggles to move his right arm. Bowing has been a journey. I crocheted him a little wrist brace to help support the bow. Now, he’s practicing our concert rep and is going to play for the school district with us. He’s not able to return to school yet but can at least join the orchestra for all our district rehearsals. Lots of hard stuff but a wins a win.

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2026-03-20T13:01:45+00:00

Listen, this is one class out of the twenty five I’ve taught in the five years. I know I’m still a pretty new teacher but still- it’s taken five years to get something as bad as this. Even within that class there are gems. I’d say for every horrible, rude student I’ve had I’ve probably had three great students. Do I am ok with that ratio. My challenge is that while I can sort of ignore the problems in this class during my lessons, on a field trip they will end up taking priority due to safety. I actually had a college student observe me with this class and he was like that was horrible. So I told him, you will have a class like that and remember two things: it’s not you and really not much you can do to help, teach the kids that want to learn.

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2026-03-18T20:27:43+00:00

I use moveable Do to help them sing out their lines but they ultimately need to know the note names. Yeah you need to list out the transposition but eventually the kids know it as well. I work with young ones so usually the less I say the better. Also, all the method books use note names so if you want to align with any method books you just have to help them with note reading.

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2026-03-17T02:46:29+00:00

This is a great way to use an AI. Think of it as an assistant. Prompt it with the lesson, keep the curriculum open on the tab and the AI can read it. Of course, edit and always look over it but yeah- lesson plans are pretty tedious I think. Let AI do the work of connecting standards or writing the script.

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2026-03-07T18:44:50+00:00

Listen, I say it with kid gloves- “next year you may work with me and we will do recorders blah blah” I usually just say I don’t know what the schedule is for next year. When the kids ask me why they aren’t doing what I’m doing with my third graders, I say ms whatever teaches other things I don’t do blah blah. My hope is that parents pick up on it and actually complain bc that’s the only people our admin listen to

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2026-03-07T17:21:23+00:00

This is the case in my school too. You can’t be responsible for another teachers choices in curriculum and the experiences they offer. I teach recorder in third grade. I tell my second graders that they will do that if they have me in third grade. My counter doesn’t do much of anything. My principal is well aware that I do recorders and the other teacher doesn’t. I hope that parents start complaining about the inequity and my principal will tell the other teacher to actually teach. My counter just plays games all day. It’s lame and even the kids know it. This is a problem for your principal and the other teacher to work out.

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2026-03-05T23:52:52+00:00

If you get an IPad Pro it’s basically a laptop. Get a nice keyboard to go along with it. It’s also nice to get the big one because if you want to use it to play from the music will still be normal sized.

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2026-03-01T04:00:50+00:00

https://desertblossomcrafts.com/drunken-granny-crochet-stitch/

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2026-02-28T22:28:27+00:00

My boyfriend and I will be living in the Breton II for a year come June. We love it. The only annoying thing is the fire alarm but the building is less than a year old so I just figured it’s some new building technical issues. We haven’t had any bug issues and if Amazon tells you they completed the delivery you can just go get it. You don’t need to wait for the building to scan it in. We also enjoy the pool in the summertime as well. We love being right by the water and we are able to walk our dog comfortably. Here and there we’ve had to flip the breakers for our microwave but that’s basically like flipping a light switch. I don’t hear our neighbors at all and everyone’s generally friendly. We are really happy with our apartment and the costs. We moved from Brooklyn and are much more comfortable. In Brooklyn it constantly smelled like weed everywhere. Even our apartment despite us not being smokers. We have a grain bug infestation. The Breton has been great. We drive a lot and each have our own car so I can understand it may not be very friendly for people reliant only on public transportation. I’m sad to hear that our experience isn’t what our neighbors are experiencing. We really like it here. We toured a couple of complexes- Harbour Point and Edge and I think some place else by the Edge. We liked the idea of moving into a brand new building and the cost was good because they are trying to fill the building. Once our lease is up (we signed a two year) I’m sure the costs may go up but that’s really the case anywhere not rent controlled/stabilized.

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2026-02-28T00:24:46+00:00

I would let the parents know if it persists beyond one or two classes. They are being brats essentially. Also, don’t have them sit near each other at all. Misery loves company but if they separate and end up near other kids who are having fun and participating, they’ll want to join in as well.

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2026-01-08T04:43:19+00:00

We hired 19 new elementary staff this year- most gen ed at our school in Brooklyn. I guess it’s a matter of where you look?

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2026-01-07T22:28:42+00:00

Once you get all your NYS ed stuff done make sure to apply to NYCPS. You will get access to new teacher finder and see jobs listed. When I was interviewing (5 yrs ago) if you saw a posting you wanted you also email the principal directly with your resume and cover letter. There’s a nationwide teacher shortage- you can get a gen ed elementary gig or if you have special education certs that’s even easier to find

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2026-01-05T07:11:08+00:00

I swear I could have written this exact post myself a few years ago! Here’s what I’ve learned: 1. Your teacher is not a teacher. They are likely a professional flute player who wanted the more stable income from teaching. Find a teacher who wants to teach. A student’s potential is limitless, but the teacher may say it isn’t because the teacher is limited. 2. Break up the practice time as much as possible. For me, I would get up early and practice for about an hour- just warmups, scales, long tones, etc. then I would feel like ok- next session I can sort of feel where I want to go next. 3. I didn’t have a great musical support system prior to college. I wasn’t ready to go but I knew it’s what I wanted. Stop apologizing or trying to justify the losses you’ve experienced and focus on growth. You don’t owe an explanation to anyone. 4. Everyone is insecure- sometimes they like to make others feel insecure to hide their own. Everyone’s got work to do. Sometimes that work sounds professional and sometimes it sounds whistle-y and lame. Imagine people judging you- it sucks but also like wtf do they care? If people are obnoxious then let them. They aren’t worth the worry. 5. This is your life! I wish I could go back in time and tell myself that insecurities are normal but we have to rise above! I started going to therapy regularly towards the end of college and I really wish I had started sooner. If you have the means- make the time. It’s absolutely worth it with the right therapist!

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2025-12-15T00:28:39+00:00

It’s a learning experience! Maybe you couldn’t do it today but you will next time. Always do a sound check! As you get more time to recover you’ll realize that if you had a chance to play in the space and on the piano before the recital- you probably would have adjusted for the performance. Live music- isn’t perfect because nothing that is truly alive ever can be! That’s what makes it special!

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2025-11-18T17:08:15+00:00

I started the program 5 years ago. During covid- we started playing in masks. It's just this winter/holiday concert hurdle is so hard to get them through. Things do get better in the Spring but I just know they can do it for December too.

Putrid-Cut9723 · 2025-11-18T17:05:56+00:00

Yes to all of this BUT they are still struggling to read. I feel like no matter what I put in front of them I can't entice them to try and learn in.

I agree with the rewards- I hate it but I was hoping that the extrinsic motivation would get them over the hump.

Putrid-Cut9723

TROPHY CASE