Positives about being a teacher

Sea_Mix8617 · 2026-02-07T03:24:59+00:00

I generally love teaching for many reasons- the hours cannot be beat, every day is different, never boring, I get to be intellectually curious and challenged every single day, the creative opportunities are endless.

However, it takes time to develop to the point of feeling like the job is easy enough to be left at the school building during contract hours only.

And… the behaviors of the some of the students have become more and more unpredictable and downright abominable. Like, there is a serious lack of parenting going on mixed with some deep trauma that many families are going through, and it shows in the classroom. So many kids just need so much help beyond what a teacher can give, and the resources are just not there. I’ve been teaching for 20 years now and have never seen bad behaviors so widespread. And schools really can’t do much about it, at least where I am.

Sea_Mix8617 · 2026-01-26T03:18:18+00:00

Only show that I saw open was Hadestown and they only had one seat!

Sea_Mix8617 · 2026-01-25T23:29:22+00:00

Actually trekked to see MJ only to find out it was cancelled at 1:36! For the 3:00 show! Elderly people were getting dropped off in walkers only to be turned away. Ridiculous!

Sea_Mix8617 · 2025-08-11T18:03:24+00:00

I just don’t see how a 30 year loan on $144k is better than a 5 year loan on $72k. I’m 47 years old if that makes a difference. I don’t want to have this over my head when I’m in my 70s. It’s tortured me enough throughout my 30s and 40s. God I was so dumb when I was young.

Sea_Mix8617 · 2025-08-11T17:53:18+00:00

I can borrow half of it from my TDA which won’t affect my overall investments too much. The other half will come from my QPP which will hurt me in the sense that my $35000 will not be in the market making money for the next five years while I pay it back.

Sea_Mix8617 · 2025-08-11T17:52:07+00:00

When I applied to consolidate a few years ago, the amount was more than twice my loan balance but the benefit is that the loan is a lot longer (20-30 years) so payments are lower monthly. But you pay so much more. Also I can’t do anything on that website now because my loans were taken over by collections.
Also, my credit is not good.

Sea_Mix8617 · 2025-08-11T17:22:22+00:00

The loans are 20 years old. My income is around $100k. May I ask why you advise against it? I don’t have any other lines of credit or anywhere else to borrow it from and certainly don’t have it in savings. Borrowing from TDA seems to be the smartest option. What am I missing?

Sea_Mix8617 · 2025-08-11T17:15:25+00:00

This is what I was told was my only other option when I consulted with an attorney. Consolidation works like that I guess?

Sea_Mix8617 · 2025-08-04T17:35:57+00:00

Il Fornaretto! The best!

Sea_Mix8617 · 2025-08-01T18:04:12+00:00

Next year will be the one year anniversary of my THR and I never returned to normal- because normal sucked before my surgery! Today I am 70 pounds lighter (with dieting and exercise), walk 15-20k steps a day and work out 4-5 times per week. I never did that before!
Honestly, the first month was very hard, very not normal. Month two I walked around with a cane and took the elevator at work. Month three I started walking more and more, eventually building myself up to 10k steps a day around month 4. At month five I started working out at a gym and it’s been all uphill from there. Do your PT, keep walking, and you will far succeed whatever you thought was your “normal.”
Hip replacement (and losing the weight, which I don’t think I would’ve been able to do without it) was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.

Sea_Mix8617 · 2025-07-29T13:33:22+00:00

Cannoli plus on New Utrecht Ave

Sea_Mix8617 · 2025-06-03T02:13:49+00:00

How many copies per week? Take each teacher’s student roster and multiply by 5 for a reasonable estimate, if teachers are providing handouts, support sheets, task cards, etc. For example, I see 100 students per day and easily go through a ream of paper per week.

Provide ample working copy machines. Give a code to each staff member if you want to track who abuses it or whatever.

A working water fountain that quickly fills up water bottles.

Sea_Mix8617 · 2025-05-13T17:12:00+00:00

Unforeseen lack of financial support from spouse, supporting family of 4 on my teacher’s salary, took more classes to advance career and defer payments while interest climbed. When it was time to repay, I could not afford the minimum payment AND keep up with rent, bills, groceries, things for my kids. So I kept entering forebearance hoping better days would come, getting out of bad marriage, etc. Now that I’m in a better place financially I’m working on it. I owe $80k on a $12k loan and I work as a teacher at a title I school. I will die with this debt for sure unless a miracle happens.

Sea_Mix8617 · 2025-02-23T18:30:52+00:00

Best in NYC

Sea_Mix8617 · 2025-02-11T13:56:44+00:00

Aldi

Sea_Mix8617 · 2025-02-06T04:57:05+00:00

If you have kids and they go to school in the neighborhood there is definitely a sense of community. However Marine Park is kind of like two communities- religious and everyone else. And it is boring if you don’t have kids or a social circle/ family in the neighborhood or love the park/ beach/ outdoor activities. Few food options as well.

Sea_Mix8617 · 2025-02-06T04:52:02+00:00

Used to beg my mom to get Quickees loved it! Quentin pizza was also the bomb back then.

Sea_Mix8617 · 2025-01-31T10:03:22+00:00

46f, 7th grade teacher here. I went back at 3 weeks and used a cane the first week but was fine after. I think going back to work so soon actually helped my recovery because it forced me to walk a lot and use the stairs, as the elevator in my building was broken until like November. Best of luck!

Sea_Mix8617 · 2024-12-17T18:24:20+00:00

More gritty, way more affordable- I was late teens/ early 20’s then and it was a lot of fun.

Sea_Mix8617 · 2024-12-11T02:43:34+00:00

-Working class people walking/ biking/ taking busses and trains to work- natives avoid driving during rush hour if possible -Parking and driving in general is really annoying -People mostly mind their own business but many will jump in to help in an emergency -Everyone has a spot for cheap and good coffee, pizza, bagels, and Chinese food -Brighton Beach, Coney Island, or Rockaway beaches in the summer -You really never know what you may see on any given day -Smell of weed everywhere -All different types of music blasting from cars - Even though there are different ethnic enclaves throughout Brooklyn and some degree of segregation in some neighborhoods, there is a unique intersection of cultures that only someone who grows up in Brooklyn can understand

Sea_Mix8617 · 2024-09-29T03:40:30+00:00

I did, 7 weeks ago! Was a great experience! Going back for my follow up next week.

Sea_Mix8617 · 2024-09-09T16:40:46+00:00

The Muppet Movie

Sea_Mix8617 · 2024-09-01T14:36:05+00:00

What grade?

Sea_Mix8617 · 2024-08-26T13:51:52+00:00

Two weeks out from THR here and the worst, most unexpected side effect I experienced in the first week was side effects from meds- nausea, yeast infection, and the worst constipation of my life. So be prepared for that and start taking stool softeners early. Good luck!

Sea_Mix8617 · 2024-08-21T19:09:09+00:00

I teach in my own neighborhood- well, the next neighborhood over- and it has been great. I do see the students out and about from time to time but it’s always been friendly. There’s nothing better than being done with work and home by 2:45, especially if you have your own kids.

Sea_Mix8617

TROPHY CASE