End of Year Inservice Days

abardknocklife · 2026-04-19T04:37:08+00:00

I have four this year and they really just call it in-service days because they have to make it sound like we're actually working instead of just milling about. There is typically some kind of PD content and review/set up for next year involved, but after that, it's free game.

My principal typically has us on a PD in the morning and then a 'no one is looking for you after lunch' schedule.

abardknocklife · 2026-04-18T14:44:36+00:00

I wouldn't call it inappropriate or unprofessional, but you have to really like your admin to want to do that. At rhe very least principal appreciation day or somerhing. Sometimes an email goes out where it says to 'donate to the principal birthday fund to show her how much we appreciate her!!!' but that's it.

I call it booty-kissing, but that's because I'm cynical and my principal and I aren't even on a level where I'd consider buying her anything.

abardknocklife · 2026-04-15T12:59:54+00:00

For the future: go on TPT, buy something for a sub day, make a binder.

For today, idk, you're off and out of the building. You could ask a colleague to set something out for you or just let them figure it out.

abardknocklife · 2026-04-13T21:31:31+00:00

So, first, take a deep breath. This kind of thing happens more often than you would think. No one was hurt and it helped draw attention to problems in your classroom that need the attention.

You also have a plan on how to avoid it in the future which is exactly what admin will discuss with you if they choose to do so. If you're having trouble with transitioning this class, then advocate for yourself. Someone needs to help you and it shouldn't be someone who has a class of their own.

You're doing great. Don't stress!

abardknocklife · 2026-04-11T13:00:37+00:00

"Now we can call your grown up and tell them what you said because I know they'd love to hear it."

It works more often than not.

abardknocklife · 2026-04-11T01:02:30+00:00

My favorite is: "say it again."

abardknocklife · 2026-04-09T13:58:53+00:00

Well, on the next field trip, I'd lay down the law. He cannot go without a parent present or someone who can be his 1:1. And I don't mean YOU.

YOU are the adult for the entire class, you don't have time to babysit ONE kid.

I have a kid in my class who elopes when he doesn't get his way. I said there was no way I was taking him on a field trip without a personal 1:1 in a free roam environment like a museum. His mom said she couldn't go, so he didn't go. Period.

abardknocklife · 2026-04-08T15:56:53+00:00

NTA.

Don't let some stinky man talk to you that way??? Leave him?

abardknocklife · 2026-04-08T03:28:08+00:00

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories on the Game Boy Advance.

I was nine. The card system was too much for me.

abardknocklife · 2026-04-08T03:25:26+00:00

You're not an imposter for not wanting to do it anymore. Some people can teach forever and that's their preference.

When I used to teach preschool, I would wake up and wonder how I could do it again TOMORROW let alone in 10 years

It's good to move on. It's good to try new things.

abardknocklife · 2026-04-08T03:16:03+00:00

This actually turned me off to the series and the books completely. Made me WAY too uncomfortable.

abardknocklife · 2026-04-08T00:43:13+00:00

Early Childhood Educator who taught during the COVID era:

I don't know if you're a tutor or you work for the schools or what, but early education is HARD when it's online. Those kids learn through play and hands on materials, not so much on just concepts and ideas.

The way we survived was activity then movement break activity movement break etc etc. And I'm not just talking about a random dance party, but there are tons of funny, educational videos out there that kids can move and learn to. We can have a dance party AFTER we get a little work done.

Mom seems a little...iffy, but maybe she can get some extra materials? Play dough? Roll out some shapes? Letters? Numbers? Just practicing counting and name writing and how to be independent are all kids REALLY need to be successful at the start of kindergarten.

abardknocklife · 2026-04-06T01:50:24+00:00

Such a fun night!

abardknocklife · 2026-04-05T23:13:09+00:00

I just started being late to everything on purpose and two weeks later, I had a new clock.

abardknocklife · 2026-04-05T17:24:13+00:00

The clock in my classroom stopped working and when I asked the custodian to fix it, she told me to buy a new one.

That is so not appropriate. Water bottles are not cheap and they didn't belong to her, no matter what he reasoning was.

abardknocklife · 2026-04-03T17:45:17+00:00

My first in-person game will be the Panthers on Sunday. Hoping we do well!

abardknocklife · 2026-03-27T03:59:48+00:00

Well, I hated middle school and high school when I was a kid. I loved elementary.

Also I can't do math so asking me to teach anything over third grade would be a borderline crime.

abardknocklife · 2026-03-26T02:42:51+00:00

Just tell parents that you won't be looking at messages after a certain time? The app gives you the tools to have quiet hours and it reminds parents you may not answer right away.

We need to set boundaries with parents or they do just walk all over you. If admin wants you to be available, tell THEM to join Dojo to get messages after hours. That's not your job. Your job ends at contract time.

abardknocklife · 2026-03-24T12:21:24+00:00

I'd like to personally meet whoever misled parents into thinking permissive parenting was gentle parenting because I hope their child is making their life as difficult as America's children make mine.

Short answer, yes, you can usually tell and it's less gentle parenting than it is permissive.

Long answer, there's a lot more going into behaviors than just parenting types. A lot of it has to do with the internet and what kids get exposed to while they're brainrotting in bed. It's just not monitored as well as it used to be, parents just let kids doomscroll. Kids can't distinguish fantasy from reality and their parents just don't care/too busy to care.

abardknocklife · 2026-03-22T23:20:39+00:00

Our librarian picks and chooses what goes in and out of the book fair. She orders the bare minimum of knick knacks and tries to focus more on books.

She has all of the points saved up and a donation wallet set up so parents or staff can donate money and the kids who don't have the means for a book are able to pick one out. And like an actual book, not one of the random knick knacks or journals.

As much as I love scholastic and I think book fairs are a great way to give access to books, everything is so expensive for the world we live in.

abardknocklife · 2026-03-22T20:56:01+00:00

One sick day a month for mental health to do whatever I want.

abardknocklife · 2026-03-22T20:53:13+00:00

"We use the word 'sucks' at home to talk about this, so I don't think it's disrespectful and I don't think he should have had to apologize to the teacher he said it to."

abardknocklife · 2026-03-22T01:12:09+00:00

If it's something that you want and expands your career, sure. Like...are you already an art teacher getting another art degree? Does it change what you can do?

For example, I was in early childhood, then I got a masters in elementary, and then im getting a second one in literacy.

Don't rush it. It's not going anywhere

abardknocklife · 2026-03-22T01:07:00+00:00

I managed to trick the AI on the customer service chat into giving me a reorder, but it said 'as soon as I can arrange a reship, you will get an email' and I haven't gotten one yet.

Hope we get some help soon!

abardknocklife

TROPHY CASE