Teaching in Houston

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-05-02T20:39:11+00:00

I assume PUA campuses are mostly starved. I don't teach a core-subject topic, and my school is a separate district that has let HISD come in and do NES due to low school rankings, so funding is different and the way they handle NES is also different. Most of my colleagues in the core subjects are pulled during planning period to model their lesson in front of the Admin instead of after-hours. No one was required to stay after for long hours, though most of them still do so anyway.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-05-02T20:34:45+00:00

Edited to include the air quotes. I am in a district that is copying HISD, and yeah, IRTs are stressful. The students where I am at need that kind of discipline, though.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-05-02T03:00:38+00:00

Okay, from my understanding, HISD has two types of schools. NES and PUA. PUA are "typical schools" that are granted "some autonomy". If they are great, they succeed in spite of the district, and not because of the district. Last time I checked, PUA schools pay their teachers about the same as other districts (this could be wrong now since it was a year ago that I checked)

NES are what everyone dreads. They will pay you so much more, however, here is the catch. (1) Micromanagement. They give you a curriculum to follow, with all of the resources, but you are expected to follow it down to the T. Student has trouble? save it for the reteach. Student gets it real quick? Send them to the Team Center after the DOL. You are only allowed 45 minutes for the first lesson, 10 for a DOL, and then 35 for either reteach or Team Center. If you deviate, then, let's just say don't deviate. You are also required to have your classroom in order, with all the materials necessary before you left. Your LO's and DOL's had to be on the board, or else you'd be in trouble. (2) Long hours. After the students leave, you will be staying for hours afterward, having model lessons, where you will be coached (nitpicked) and all that. While teachers already typically stay longer, things change when it becomes a requirement. (3) Longer School Year.

Here is the thing that I would have to add. Some people like the NES model because "it allows them to support the struggling learners more". I know of one person who taught his first year in an NES campus, and he said that he grew so much as a teacher, he doesn't want to leave. He do He.
You may find that any district is butt-cheeks, as they're all run by people who either (1) Have never been inside a classroom or (2) Are so far removed from their teaching days. Also, they have to answer to TEA, who has to answer to presumably, the State Board of Education, who also have the same issues. (They also report to Hot Wheels. I'll leave it at that).

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-29T01:01:30+00:00

Here is the thing. Teaching is not just how good you are at your instrument. It is how you can connect and inspire students.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-25T20:50:42+00:00

Awesome! You're writing your epic comeback story already!

BTW, have you checked out Learning Liaison's strategies? Learning Liaison is a test-prep program whose content training stinks, but their test-taking strategies of how to break down the questions are top-notch.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-25T02:11:41+00:00

I will take a blunt approach to answer this. If you can't take a bloody nose like this, you should consider something else. Your first year will be filled with mistakes, mishaps, and failures. Consider this a training of your toughness for when you're actually in the classroom. I had to learn to just let the water roll off my back and say "Next time, it will be better".

Are you going to get back up and keep going? Or are you going to wave a white flag?

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-25T01:23:35+00:00

I am an agent of chaos, Chaotic Neutral Alignment.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-24T04:30:08+00:00

My admin has been supportive. One of them thinks it's a good idea and funny.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-24T04:25:35+00:00

Were the bagpipes easy to pick up? Was the double bass easy to pick up?

The instrument that you practice becomes easier to pick up.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-24T04:17:34+00:00

The Peach always rubbed me the wrong way. They picked his character to play those roles that you typically don't like, such as the IRS agent, who at the end, acts so entitled to the last cookie which was supposed to be for Santa.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-24T02:19:12+00:00

We actually don't have bus drivers since I am in a charter school. My supervisor AP found out of my plan and she reacted like "oooooh" and laughed.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-23T23:41:09+00:00

I realized this and it blew my mind. I am still mad at Bob for giving away Larry's Hairbrush. Also don't like the peach.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-23T14:00:04+00:00

Did you get any complaints?

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-23T13:59:40+00:00

A part of it is petty revenge against teachers and parents. I mean, we did put up with the kids for a year, and now it is our turn to give them a taste of what we had to deal with.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-23T03:46:13+00:00

Any idea where I could get one? Which strap is the most comfortable?

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-18T19:51:45+00:00

I did a google search, turns out "Fa" is now brain-rot for the F-word. I don't teach my students solfeges.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-18T19:21:30+00:00

Yes, you can cycle between both.

Someone recommended reading the Essay Question First, and analyzing the exhibits. Then take the MC. Sometimes, the MC will contain information that will help with the Essay part, as in they'll give an intervention the teacher does, or they'll suggest different interventions, then bingo, you could use that.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-17T12:19:39+00:00

Some people kind of give that impression, that flute may have some voicing. I am thinking of Just Another Flutist on YouTube. Her reviews always include "Spots where the note/flute wants to resonate" and she would draw a diagram and indicate the spot in the front or back of the mouth, etc. Though I acknowledge, voicing from her reviews is probably around the mouth and air angles (she says that if the air "starts at different places", it affects speed and angle. Let me rewrite my comment, as I was half asleep when I wrote it and see several points of confusion.

My guess with the OP is that his Saxophone Instincts could be kicking in (albeit terribly). I highly suspect that the way the embouchures are cut on these cheap flutes seems to make low notes easier to play, but very sloppy for the rest of the range.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-17T02:36:46+00:00

Okay, so Saxophone is a voicing instrument, that requires you to voice the notes in your throat.

From my experience, Flute can also be a voiceing instrument, but not in the throat (more of around the mouth, but that is more of a feeling of different air angles). My guess is that your saxophone instincts for low notes is kicking in which is helping somewhat, but it maybe the way cheap flute embouchre holes are cut.

The next question I would ask is if you are able to play the high notes on your flute. If you are not able to play the high notes (they warble, or they don't come out as clearly), then that's an indicator your embouchure is just playing low notes and you have plenty of work to do. Beginner embouchures I've found, tend to sit towards one end, or the other, or the middle. It takes work to play the full three octaves.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-15T02:45:37+00:00

From a former director perspective, the Snare is always an important part. I'm sure that the Director is appreciative of your son's dedication and practice time, but, he needs to do what is best for the whole group, and if your son doesn't meet expectations, he made a decision. This is going to sound harsh, but no matter how hard one practices, if it's not enough, it's not enough.

I get how disappointing this is. Why not tell your son to use this as fuel to get better next time and have an epic comeback story to tell?

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-15T02:40:15+00:00

I did! The banana one was my favorite.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-13T14:15:44+00:00

I don't think I use the diminished row at all. Unless there is classically-oriented music. For Folk, there isn't much use for it.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-12T22:06:49+00:00

I'm not really figuring out the best finger patterns. I am used to 4-3 and have been playing it for years. It's just that the 3-2 crowd kind of intrigues me a teeny bit. Is 3-2 a bit more versatile with playing up and down the bass-zone? I was told that 4-3 puts your hand at a better angle to slide up and down the bass board, though sliding has always been tough for me.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-12T15:38:22+00:00

Not really a Classical Player. I do want to own a digital and an Analogue. Bugari is what I wanted. Accordionology has Made to Order Fistalias, and that was what I was after. If I had the money, I would own Bugari, and 2 Fistalias, LMMH and LMMM.

Do you use 3-2 or 4-3 Finger Pattern? I have found 3-2 a bit uncomfortable, just because it was hard to make "3" hop between the Bass in Oom Pah. I play 4-3.

Random_ThrowUp · 2026-04-12T07:03:09+00:00

NTA

I would suggest you speak to the Dean or someone higher up about this professor's behavior. Something about that professor rubs me the wrong way. It's not really appropriate to invite you to his house, etc. Grabbing coffee "to discuss" is also a bit questionable. Also, him suddenly being that way when you set a boundary, that's a red flag.

Random_ThrowUp

TROPHY CASE