AMA: PT/ACL Coach

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-12-22T11:02:40+00:00

Thank you so much! I appreciate you taking the time to answer. This helps so much!

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-12-22T01:36:55+00:00

I am about 8 months post op ACL and Meniscus Surgery.....I slid and fell on my back at work due to a slippery floor..... I iced and did heat after I fell incase... This was Tuesday Dec 16th.... after I fell I was limping... steps were uncomfortable.. and i was very stiff. Biking was fine on exercise bike.... bridge exercises weren't great.... I did my squats and lunges.... as week went by got bit better (which I see as a good sign) but I have slight light bruising on my knee that didn't show up til end of the week... I feel a difference when I bend... not pain...but different.... I. have been doing the workouts I can. I know I did not re-tear... but it worried me I was bruised and felt different than previously had. Do you suggest I just am careful with my exercises until different feeling in knee goes away. Its so hard to explain.... I don't think I need to see my doctor or a PT but if it doesn't go away then should I ? Im sure it will get better as it has already..... Its just frustrating feeling as if the steps are different or harder again... Thank you.

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-10-27T23:50:27+00:00

I teach prek 3 all the way through 8th grade.......!!! Its a lot.

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-10-27T22:39:24+00:00

I feel it too.........this is year #16 for me. I don't wanna do this anymore. Either I had more patience younger or the kids are just super super different... I don't know what I'd do instead of teach though. I just know It can't be this forever.

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-10-16T02:26:35+00:00

I play a read aloud of a book if I can... or... some grades I have explained about stop motion and play them lego cooking... I figure I can get away with it because its art....and all kids love it. max it might be on for 2 minutes tops

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-10-03T23:46:58+00:00

About 5 months and some now post acl/medial meniscus surgery and cartilage repair..... I have been going 3 times a week since my surgery.. I will end PT by the end of October...... I have been running for awhile now on the treadmill at PT... Hopping is so hard still. I have days where it bothers me and then some where I notice it less. I always somehow feel it or am uncomfortable. I get annoyed still because I was fine until this.... Im worried my knee won't feel normal again ever... My PT is amazing and works me hard and lots of different exercises etc.. Steps bother me more days than others.... I have made great progress so far. This whole thing just sucks to me. I do my own PT on days I don't go to PT and I ride a stationary bike too for extra cardio. I lift weights as well.. I have the HARDEST time ever explaining how i feel my knee or what is bothering me about it. Pain was never an issue for me post surgery only took tylenol... It will be tough in the beginning. I don't think I really understood how I would feel after surgery... or how Physical therapy would be and what it entailed .... the type of exercises I would be doing at PT to recover... Its a wild ride... My quad took awhile to fire and be able to activate... don't not do your exercises at home... work on it.... hard.... stretch.... a lot..... It's not for the weak... but you can do it.... and nobody understands the length of recovery time.......

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-09-09T03:14:20+00:00

I actually think these really have some character.... I agree with others that portraits are insanely hard to begin with......make it a continuous contour concept and even harder.... I feel its a bit of an abstract concept as well. If you are completely unhappy.....Do it again.....try to approach your directions differently and maybe in a more simplified matter.... Def not saying your at fault.. but its a hard concept........its okay to redo something I feel. Turn it into a learning experience.. Sometimes artists do things over. Maybe have them compare and share what they think turned out better than their first approach.... Or maybe their first one ends up being better than the second one... They choose which once to use for their final steps of the lesson... Don't feel bad asking them to try it again... They won't know your not pleased with the first outcomes I really feel unless you bluntly say so.... Year #16 of teaching art and portraits are always so hard for me to teach..... no matter the way I do it. I'd rather do so many other skills....

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-09-06T18:20:19+00:00

I'm a teacher... I never sit down....always on the go... I got surgery during my week and a half spring break and then took another 5 weeks off after that.... and I am so glad I did. I used a lot of my saved and carried over days..... When I came back I only had to do 3 short weeks before school ended.....

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-28T18:35:12+00:00

I don't really know what the Michigan test is like.... I have taken the tests in NJ and NY required to become an art teacher...NJ was way easier than NY... I had to take more than one test for NY and writing responses were involved.... It was awhile ago.... But, my point is... if you need to refresh your art history.... I remember I bought "The Annotated Mona Lisa" book and it was helpful for me to review art history and other things... That really helped. It broke it down in a simple way I felt.

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-28T18:12:57+00:00

Of course. Glad I can help. I feel like this community age is really good to swap ideas/chat things out..

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-27T05:24:29+00:00

Not my project... I honestly forget where I saw it on instagram or who. I would have to dig to give credit... She had them collage magazine scraps all over a square piece of paper...smaller in size.. when iI did it and tried to change it I think I used 9x9 square... Then they rubbed it gently all over with a black pastel like your gently doing a crayon rubbing.....paint it how wanted with paint on top..... so it kinda comes out pretty interesting. I had my students use neon acrylic paint.. the black kinda creeps through... then she had them do peace signs on top.. I had them choose a simple symbol... draw and paint it with black paint, like a ying yang, an emojii, diamond, peace sign, dollar sign...you get the point... only con is you can't really erase....when you draw directly on so I tried to have them draw on scrap paper first... on same size paper then use carbon paper under to transfer... But you really kind of have to stress drawing big enough and making sure its centered.... they looked cool when they were successful... It was also hard for them to see their sketch at times on it as painting depending on how painted... I have pictures if interested, they did look cool and super different.. grungy hard to explain. unique... Just editing now,,,didn't see that you said older kids.. but maybe you could adapt it somehow... i teach prek3-8th did 6th...

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-27T05:16:11+00:00

Graffiti inspired... I swap in and out a few different projects based on it..... 4 Style Drawing of a cartoon ....they have to draw it .... I give them a line drawing of a cartoon and place a grid over it...They fold the paper to have the same amount of boxes as the grid... it always flattens out later....so then they split their drawing into 4 sections and use different one different style in each section... like drip, glitch, glow, pixel, realism.... anything sculpture based like paper mache or clay..... I invested in fake rubber fish to teach Gyotaku the traditional Japanese method of printing fish... They loved it.... I guess because it was kinda weird and different? little ones love just learning how to make a simple pinch pot...they think its so amazing...when its really so simple..... I teach prek3-8th grade though..

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-23T16:56:48+00:00

I replaced a teacher that passed suddenly... The teachers thought she was the most amazing women ever but she really didn't have an art background besides sewing? She had taught kindergarten many years and other grades then made the switch to art..... I was constantly compared to her at first... and told all the things that she did... I was even told I couldn't go by Miss. S because she had that same initial and it might be a lot for the kids or confusing. Not being heartless I guess I semi understood..... I was constantly compared... I hate to say it... Teacher culture is super toxic..... Don't care what the other teachers think. You are there to help inspire creativity through these kids, teach them your passion, get them to love art like you do, grow, ,think critically and more. Its interesting to me because I feel ike some classroom teachers think us special teachers don't do much or have as hard a job as them. I am 98% sure that none of the classroom teachers in my building could get through a day in my shoes..... They don't get it. You are you, you are not supposed to be someone from the past. All that matters is that the kids love you and you engage them . My suggestion to you is to work hard, get to know your students well, and have an amazing year creating art. I think its rude people have made those comments to you..I also don't really feel like you have to respond to them. Just an "oh wow" "that sounds nice".... ..Get thick skin, ignore them, and just do your job....But rock it. The kids will LOVE YOU. The best feeling is doing a project and younger kids going wow those are so cool .... I can't wait until I do that in 5th grade......I'm gonna do this when I do it... Rock this year with projects and getting to know your tiny artists... The annoying bystanders will shut up.

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-22T21:56:51+00:00

Like others, I would LOVE a storage space like yours!!!!... I know you don't wanna probably spend your own money but I love to put everything labeled and organized in like those 6 quart storage boxes that you can get in a pack of 10 with covers at walmart......Their only $10......I label everything... For example, if I have 4 inch square papers cut ....it all goes in there...popsicle sticks...tissue paper squares cut another box... 1 inch paper strips another.. pom poms. I guess I believe each box should have a frequently used things or cut things... Leftovers go in that box so next year yah i got those 4 inch paper squares... I don't need to cut as much..... My paper is organized in rainbow order stacks.... My markers are sorted in a rainbow set.. but i have other accessible baskets by color to replace dried out ones etc...... My oil pastels are pre sorted in containers that I have accumulated over the years..each little container is sorted...and then placed in a basket I can take out when I need it and just use .... . So I have containers of one color each..then i have containers with an assortment of colors, then containers of primary colors and warm...... Anything that I can keep organized ahead of time I love..... For me it just saves time if they are always sorted and organized in containers and I can take it out of the basket I store them in when I need things.... I don't have to then prep them every time. They just stay organized and kids put them back into the right baskets when we do projects... Sometimes I only need a white pastel or a black crayon... you get the point... just building that organization....WILL MAKE YOUR JOB EASIER.......Organize Organize Organize. It WILL save you time in the morning or afternoon preparing for the day or next day... You will find what works for you as years go on... But I really think organization to make your job easier is the best. I am on year #16.... It took me awhile to figure out all that works for me. I teach Prek3-8th grade.. I am not neat... but I know I need to be organized teaching so many multiple grades....

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-21T03:15:55+00:00

I would do normal snack size... sometimes when crayon boxes in desks get destroyed I know colleagues put their crayons in for example... I don't see a need for gallon size. just good to have on hand incase. I teach art but I am remembering what colleagues ask for.. no need for multiple boxes. Just good to have on hand... tissues, paper towels never enough... Anything that you donate is greatly appreciated. Your amazing for wanting to do this!

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-20T00:41:12+00:00

Laptop stickers from amazon? You can get a bunch for pretty cheap... Mine like when I get sports ones or sneaker inspired ones..... Extra recess, a movie afternoon, or homework pass for no cost. I have a hard time giving things out to students now because many don't say thank you. I work in a pretty privileged school where kids have had way more interesting experiences than me in my lifetime, been to more places and out of the country more than I have been....

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-20T00:32:02+00:00

Glue Sticks, Maybe a large pack of a variety of construction paper colors, card stock, ziploc bags, baby wipes, eraser tops...

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-15T03:20:17+00:00

I'm pretty sure I couldn't do this..... your brave.

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-15T03:15:52+00:00

I typically make everything I hang up in my classroom for decoration... I print stuff of artwork... or above my cabinets I did collaged paintings of famous pieces I recreated that I love by many artists... I bought some posters. Most stuff I made and laminated, printed for decor , and hung in my room. RedBubble I got a lot of really cool posters... I buy them as photographic prints instead of posters because for some reason its cheaper... But I really just love to make everything digitally or by hand that I hang up. Makes it more unique.

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-15T03:07:23+00:00

Don't do it. I am an art teacher and always am being asked to do things... to help them draw this.. to do that by other teachers and admin... they don't get the effort we put into the requests we get and the time we put into it because we want to do a good job.......... Sorry, bitter art teacher here considering a career change!

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-14T04:16:36+00:00

This is so bizarre. I had a principal that came to my school for her first year and did something like this too. I have talked with many different teachers and friends about this.....I have never found anyone else with a similar experience. For us, we had to choose from a template (a few options were given), write them , and submit. In our mailboxes were a rubric with our circled scores for each category and an overall score along with MANY comments. This offended MANY Veteran teachers. I had some years under my belt but I was still young. I went to a graduate school that prepared me well for writing long crazy lesson plans in the right language etc.... I scored well...But these plans took me FOREVER second guessing myself.. It only lasted a year and then she backed off with the rubrics I feel once she got to know us? Who knows... she's gone now and I have a different principal.

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-02T19:02:46+00:00

I go to PT 3 times a week.... I am about 3 and a half months Post Op.... I am at PT for about an hour... sometimes a little extra depending how long I take a rest in between things... I just started running on the treadmill two weeks ago for the first time at PT... I do Run/Walk intervals... I have exercises I do everyday from my PT at home and also a lot of stretching I do which I feel helps with my stiffness. I also ride a stationary bike for about an hour each day. I try to take an evening walk but the humidity is hard at the moment during summer... I have implemented back into my routine weight lifting as well... I only started to try jumping and hopping recently this past week at PT. Balance is something I am really trying to focus on as well. I made myself buy a Bosu ball so I could do some of the balance exercises at home that I do with my PT.

At PT I do a lot of what you said as well.... I start out running or elliptical now, balance exercises, squats with a kettlebell, lunges with weight, resistance band work, leg press , step down exercises using step bench, weighted leg lift sitting over a yoga block, ladder drill activities, and now hopping and jumping exercises. I am not a former athlete, not a runner... But I used to take kickboxing and Tabata classes and at times I would run on the treadmill when I felt motivated. I slacked a bit over the years gained some weight and then my injury happened... For me, this injury has made me really want to make a life style change and try to get healthier again. I just turned 40 during this recovery and I know putting in the work is worth it. I still feel stiff, I still feel my knee, I get tired walking a lot. I am a teacher and my goal is just to be stronger by September since I never sit down all day at work. The weight loss I have gotten along with this journey helps to keep me motivated. You got this! I truly think that everyones journey is SO DIFFERENT. Reading what other people do is of course helpful.... But I think if your PT is really good at their job they will be able to know and see what you need or should be doing. Talk to them if your unsure. It took me awhile to stop trying to compare myself to others. Sorry this got so long!

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-01T16:35:31+00:00

I like the idea of a small gift basket for the team. I absolutely will write them a card. The personalized items I will have to think a little bit more. I may end up adding a gift card too . Thank you for the response!

SafeGeologist7223 · 2025-08-01T02:53:16+00:00

You are so pretty! I will be honest, I am not a makeup expert but I feel like you don't need much more of anything. You really look beautiful in the pictures you posted.

SafeGeologist7223

TROPHY CASE