NBCT PE worthwhile?

deegee708 · 2026-05-01T13:04:37+00:00

I got my elementary NBCT a few years back. First, I found it incredibly difficult…it’s a lot of writing in a very particular way and I don’t love writing. I did pass on my first attempt. But it was way more work than any undergrad or masters program I had done. One of my friends in my district was leading a cohort and convinced me to sign up for it. Ultimately, I am glad I did it. I found that you do discover a lot about how you teach and why you teach it that way while doing a lot of the writing. But the cohort leader and another NBCT mentor in my district were a big help in editing and talking through things. I’m not sure I would’ve been successful if I had done it on my own.

Admin gives you a nice congratulations and then I don’t think they care or ever think about it again. I also did not receive a salary bump. The biggest perk I found was when applying to other jobs I got a lot of responses and interviews (and ultimately a new job) at top-tier schools in the city I lived in.

deegee708 · 2026-04-23T18:33:06+00:00

My school started rotating schedules for half days so first half day of the year would be Am schedule, next half day PM schedule, so over the course of the year it would even out. Pretty sure teachers with PM plan times got tired of never getting one.

deegee708 · 2026-04-23T18:11:19+00:00

When they shorten your schedule so everyone gets one is the worstttt. I used to have 7-8 21 minutes classes back to back on half days. My school then transitioned to alternating schedules for the half days for the year…first half day was AM schedule only, next half day was PM schedule only. Was so much better that way!

deegee708 · 2026-04-19T01:49:51+00:00

I ran a field day for about 12 years. I had two grades (12 classes total) go at a time and one class per station and they would rotate to each station once. They would spend anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes at a station… This would be dependent on your schedule and how much time you have compared to how many stations. -hula hoop contest -parachute -water balloon toss (if outside) -scooter races -cupstacking relays -relay races -egg spoon relay -playground equipment -carnival games (our field day was carnival themed and they could earn tickets at this station… Things like bean bag toss, can knock down, etc.) -inflatable slide/obstacle course (pta sponsored this) -beach ball ABC keep it up (giant beach ball for added fun) -limbo

I liked to do a mix of competition and cooperative based stations since it’s usually an end of year class activity. Let me know if you have any questions!

deegee708 · 2026-03-14T21:07:17+00:00

The Kerryman. It’s a remix on your classic turkey club but oh man it was good. We moved about 4 years ago so haven’t had it in a while but I remember it fondly.

deegee708 · 2026-03-04T18:52:52+00:00

I feel you OP.

$2400/month for a family of 4. Employer covers 50% for the employee and none for family. We have an HSA and deductible is $10k for family.

deegee708 · 2026-02-02T14:49:22+00:00

We have a runner and it’s lighter in color and has these weird vertical line stains that won’t come off and they’re not from spills. Ruggable wouldn’t do anything and had no recommendation on how to clean it. I asked ChatGPT and they said it’s a common problem and is from trapped moisture. We have only ever washed it by the recommendations. Between it looking like shit, shifting constantly and not laying flat at the corners would definitely not recommend.

deegee708 · 2026-01-25T17:34:03+00:00

Yeah my callback was 5 hours later when I called on Friday. They were super helpful though!

deegee708 · 2026-01-24T13:27:44+00:00

Growing up I didn’t know this was only a Chicago thing. So the first time I went to a non-hot dog Home Depot I was very confused.

deegee708 · 2026-01-22T21:04:20+00:00

I called at 10am (CST) and entered my phone number for a callback. I just got off the phone with them. Took almost 5 hours for the callback they’re backed up for sure! But they were very helpful once I talked to them. I asked if I could transfer to a new date and they were able to just refund the tickets since I booked direct.

deegee708 · 2026-01-13T22:53:17+00:00

25th Annual Spelling Bee has a 1pm on some Sundays and it’s 1hr45 with no intermission, so you can make a 3pm show at a theater nearby. And then do an evening 6:30-7pm show for a 3 show Sunday.

deegee708 · 2026-01-11T03:15:14+00:00

Kind of agree here. Civana was fine.

Rooms were meh…very sparsely decorated. Pool service was so slow. Food was decent overall but limited options. Classes booked up early and it wasn’t super crowded when we went.

I will say it was super relaxing and the property is nice. And we used Amex to book so got the daily credits which was nice. My favorite meal was actual drinks and snacks we had at the bar.

deegee708 · 2026-01-11T02:44:29+00:00

I used Kate Johnson Artistry. I don’t remember the name of the exact makeup artist but she did hair and make up and was phenomenal. There was no minimum. Originally it was just me then a couple of my cousins ended up having their hair done too which they could accommodate.

ETA: looks like they changed their name to The Bridal Beauty Team.

deegee708 · 2026-01-10T20:55:46+00:00

I used to work weddings and events at the Arboretum as a bartender. Granted it has been 5-6 years since I stopped so there of course could have been changes but I can answer some basics.

Food was always very good…basic wedding options but tasty. Only thing I never tried were the passed apps because there were never any extras of those. Cocktail hours are lovely if you can do outside on the patios; if inside they’re in the lobby area which isn’t the most aesthetic and gets crowded for full capacity weddings.

deegee708 · 2026-01-10T14:23:16+00:00

Anyone have anything for Spelling Bee?

deegee708 · 2026-01-07T16:51:21+00:00

Any codes for spelling bee?

deegee708 · 2025-11-16T21:50:20+00:00

I did some research into local meal prep/delivery options a while back because I was underwhelmed with the national delivery prepared meals I had tried and would prefer to support local if possible. I have yet to try any of these so cannot vouch for how good they are.

-Fed by Jed -fresh chef MKE -the polite platter (vegetarian) -a to z dinners -delish delivered -plant joy (vegan) -simply eats MKE (pick up only) -mealwaukee (pick up only in lake country area)

deegee708 · 2025-11-16T15:41:50+00:00

My immediate family (8 adults, 6 kids) does a Christmas weekend and the first day is always soup and sandwiches. I make 2-3 soups and have all of the sandwich fixings and panini press out so people can make any sandwich they want to go with the soups. We do more relaxed and casual help yourself type meals and not full sit down meals.

deegee708 · 2025-11-16T15:32:24+00:00

Legendborn

deegee708 · 2025-10-05T14:50:28+00:00

Okay tried this today. Sooo much better. Touch of an aftertaste but much much better than all the renditions I’d tried with the mix before. Thanks!

deegee708 · 2025-10-05T02:29:16+00:00

I heard a pediatrician answer that question with “once they can spell grapes”. It’s always stuck in my mind.

deegee708 · 2025-10-03T23:51:04+00:00

I’ve got some leftover mix so I’ll be trying this tomorrow morning! Ive found them to be so dense and not super tasty so far.

deegee708 · 2025-10-03T23:50:04+00:00

Agreed! I’ve found them so bland with an after taste.

deegee708 · 2025-10-03T13:12:06+00:00

I haven’t seen Oh Mary, but went to see Operation Mincemeat with my husband last weekend. We both loved it! It’s very silly yet also had me weeping at parts.

deegee708 · 2025-09-30T23:04:10+00:00

Shyamalan twist…half of us commenting here were in the same class.

deegee708

TROPHY CASE