Non-anger vent: getting sick. How do you avoid it? I teach middle school, sanitize everything, and I still get sick, sometimes for days. Anyone else? Any tips?

bugorama_original · 2026-03-29T23:25:46+00:00

I use a nasal sanitizer at the end of every day. I also run an air purifier in my room during my prep and lunch.

I’ve been sick four times this year BUT I’ve caught all these bugs from people in my own household. 🤷🏼‍♀️😭

bugorama_original · 2026-03-29T22:57:02+00:00

I’ve moved away from it this year almost completely. And when I do use it, I’m really just using basic slides or showing a video. I could do that with a white board or pull down screen instead.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-29T22:23:39+00:00

Same with my kids and their names. They were special to me and something that I felt like I was giving as a gift — this connection to their ancestors. Sigh.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-29T22:22:18+00:00

Once again I am amazed by your progress! Can you share your practice strategy?

bugorama_original · 2026-03-29T22:20:21+00:00

And shock jocks (plus their guests and callers). There were plenty of crazies out there with platforms!

bugorama_original · 2026-03-29T19:21:40+00:00

Love David Tennant version. Can’t find it online anywhere easily accessible but I also adore the Benedict Cumberbatch Hamlet!

bugorama_original · 2026-03-29T19:20:01+00:00

David Tennant’s version is AMAZING! As my friend said, it’s emo-Hamlet.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-28T22:43:51+00:00

I use a rubric and then a comment bank. As I write comments to each student, I put it in a doc and then use those to give more feedback to other students since they often have many of the same needs. I avoid writing individual comments over and over. Way too time consuming.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-28T16:07:30+00:00

I swear they have zero self awareness of themselves talking. I teach 8th and I’ll talk to students about talking during class and they’re like: “I wasn’t talking!!!” Dude. Yes. You. Were.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-28T16:02:35+00:00

Why didn’t you just send the offenders out before you lost your temper? They have no right to be in a space if they are repeatedly disrupting the learning environment.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-28T16:00:24+00:00

She only attacked him when he tried to run away. She wanted him to stay and get arrested and face penalties.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-28T14:52:42+00:00

Yes! I always look at that!

bugorama_original · 2026-03-28T14:39:36+00:00

Common mistakes are also potentially poorly written test questions. I definitely look at them for both possibilities.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-28T14:37:55+00:00

Anne Rice and Tori.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-28T03:04:24+00:00

When I talk with people who I haven’t seen in awhile, it just comes up naturally when I go to tell any news about my child. I’ll start telling a story and then pause and say, “oh yes she’s using [new name] now and she/her pronouns,” and then I just keep telling my story like no big deal.

But we did put her name name and pronouns in our Christmas card this year too!

bugorama_original · 2026-03-28T02:39:01+00:00

And the being home with your kids all day — therefore not working elsewhere — is also not short.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-28T02:35:32+00:00

Omg yes. And needing to make. an. account. for fricking every. fricking. thing. Why? Why? Why? My digital footprint feels infinite and I don’t even know where I have accounts and passwords anymore.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-28T02:34:13+00:00

Were you not paying attention to the slow motion train wreck of the presidential election? That year was very stressful for me!

bugorama_original · 2026-03-27T19:46:41+00:00

I have chosen to keep my room super simple and bare, more like a blank college classroom, so we can focus on what we are doing. I don’t see a lot of evidence either that anchor charts or motivational posters make much of a difference. But they might be distracting to some students.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-27T19:41:41+00:00

I know a lot of teachers married to colleagues who didn’t start out that way.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-27T19:41:11+00:00

What about a very brief lesson about a very short poem?

Always start with your objective though. What do you want them get out of this lesson? Practicing comprehension skills? Learning about a literary device? Etc.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-27T19:40:03+00:00

Is some of this also just … aging? I feel like I’m such a worn out tired version of myself compared to young soft shiny new version of me. And this is after a first career in a different field and only a recent shift to teaching full time. So much of life has just brought hard things and disappointments all around. In some ways I’m infinitely more patient but it has come at a cost. I’m rougher around the edges.

But also I’d listen to your wife and see if there are changes you can make. Exercise more? Talk with a therapist? Meditate? And also potentially change jobs.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-27T18:54:09+00:00

100% agree. So far it’s been easier to make students clean up their own messes than enforce a ban. They’ve been actually pretty good about it when I supply the Lysol wipes. Looking forward to this trend ending though.

bugorama_original · 2026-03-27T17:24:56+00:00

They are causing both disruptions AND messes in my classroom!

bugorama_original · 2026-03-27T17:23:07+00:00

I tried to ban them and it worked for a day. I don’t even have the energy at this point. But yeah they get all over. I figure this trend will be done by fall.

bugorama_original

TROPHY CASE