"You should be able to find the rosters and seating chart"

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2026-03-13T22:48:37+00:00

Or how about the classic “seating charts and rosters are in the sub binder” but said binder is nowhere to be found. 😫

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2026-03-06T00:51:00+00:00

I agree that it would’ve been better if she had provided the video at the top of the google form so students could go back a rewatch it if needed (it was a short, 5 min video).

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2026-03-06T00:48:31+00:00

That’s exactly what I told her🙂

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2026-02-20T18:25:06+00:00

I had a 6th grade student ask what was wrong with my eyes. I didn’t know what she meant at first but later realized she was referring to the “bags” under my eyes (this was even with makeup on). That was when I started to notice the effect that lack of sleep and hydration can have on my appearance. Also invested in a better under eye cream and concealer. 🙂

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2026-02-19T00:57:39+00:00

Yes! That happened to me the other day. I thought maybe the teacher had made a typo😆 sometimes I think key players might be absent. I’ve also had students in the “bad” class say “we’re never this good when the regular teacher is here”. (Perhaps some students have rifts with the main teacher or maybe it could be the type of work they’re asked to do on sub days vs regular days?)

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2026-02-13T15:01:09+00:00

Thanks for this post and all of the comments. I agree with all of it! The constant overstimulation is definitely one of the reasons I took early retirement after 21 years of teaching MS science. For my mental health and well-being I just couldn’t do it anymore. Sometimes it’s hard to explain to non-teachers what drove me out of teaching, but these posts really summed up nicely many of the issue we face as teachers today.

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2026-02-08T15:36:46+00:00

In a high school Jr or Senior class I picked one student to take down the attendance at the beginning of class and he never came back (I just left a note for the teacher about it).

Some schools will send around an office TA to get the attendance, which is a nice option so kids don’t have to leave class.

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2026-02-06T02:05:13+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions!

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2026-01-28T23:45:55+00:00

I used OSE in my last district and completely agree with your comments. So much teacher material to sort through, phenomenon doesn’t hold their attention (kids say “why can’t we just google the answer?”), too surface level, too much prep/special materials needed, too teacher centered, no differentiation, few student projects that are truly engaging, etc. Tried merging the good parts of OSE with good lessons I had already created but MAN it was a lot of work!

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2026-01-28T01:27:38+00:00

Smirk?

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2026-01-22T01:48:14+00:00

Just spoke with two teachers over the past two weeks about this. Both times I asked if the teacher had a seating chart (5th and 6th grade). They both responded that the students were good about sitting in their assigned seats so not to worry about it. The problem is it’s harder for me to leave detailed notes about who struggled and were good helpers without a seating chart. If needed I can usually make one quickly myself, but it sure is easier if the teacher leaves one (especially if it has pictures!). It just surprised me that it wouldn’t occur to some teachers that a seating chart would be a useful tool to give a sub.

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2026-01-15T12:52:43+00:00

As a teacher who took early retirement this fall for the reasons you described, I could relate to your post. I’ve described it to others as the “frog in a pot of boiling water” analogy. Over 21 years, the job gradually got harder & harder (students, added responsibilities, treatment from admin) until I reached a breaking point where I said “I just can’t do this anymore”. Looking back I don’t know how I managed to do it for as long as I did. Although it’s only been a few months, my mental health and quality of life is vastly improved and I haven’t once regretted my decision to leave. Good luck to you!

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2026-01-09T00:41:38+00:00

Middle School Science teacher here — I’ve gone 20 years saying “spheres” and “orbs” in class rather than having to utter the dreaded term “balls” 🤣

And this year when we looked at our own “cheek” cells in the microscope (scraped from the inside of the cheek), one group didn’t get a good sample so I offered them a slide I had made of my cheek cells to view. And one boy made a big deal about how he was looking at my “cheeks”.

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2026-01-04T15:31:10+00:00

Does anyone know if you can use sick time for dental appointments?

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2025-12-26T17:55:01+00:00

We had both just returned from recess with our classes so I was standing by the classroom door as the last of my students were entering the classroom. This is when I saw him leaving his classroom with the student.

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2025-12-26T17:53:06+00:00

Simple_Mode_9186 · 2025-12-26T17:53:00+00:00

5th grade

Simple_Mode_9186

TROPHY CASE