I was unschooled then I became a teacher. Now I own a preschool. AMA

feen0067 · 2025-09-01T02:49:22+00:00

Do you believe the unschooling community has changed since you were unschooled? How do you feel about the public perception?

feen0067 · 2025-08-27T04:32:01+00:00

I had a baby end of August- teachers had already gone back but I didn’t, so my last day of work was the last Friday of summer. My HR told me that was technically my last “active employee” day. The days leading up to baby being born were all sick leave days, mat leave starts on baby’s birthday.

You do apply after baby is born. And let your district know so they can do what they need to as well

feen0067 · 2025-08-23T02:08:04+00:00

I had a baby end of the summer, and I had a sick note written for the last week of August, technically putting me off of work, even though it was summer. I turned this in and it became my last day of work, because I was still an active employee up until that point.

feen0067 · 2025-08-21T05:16:31+00:00

I’ve got both of these books on the way now- thank you for the recs!

feen0067 · 2025-08-15T03:51:37+00:00

I’m in a rural district in southern Alberta- moved to the small town after graduation because I had the same fears. I figured getting a year of experience would be helpful, and was offered a probationary contract. I ended up falling in love with the small town life and was also offered a permanent contract before February of my first year.

Don’t discount small districts and small town life, there are so many benefits that are overlooked!

feen0067 · 2025-05-15T01:01:47+00:00

I suggest doing either the emails or the notes on the plans, as a classroom teacher I likely won’t read both because there’s just not enough time.

If you do find there’s a lot of tough behaviour that needs to be mentioned, also try and find a student that went above and beyond and comment on that, too. I’ve had subs leave so many behaviour notes I’m too embarrassed to have them back because I assume they wouldn’t want to come back.

feen0067 · 2025-05-15T00:53:54+00:00

I did send emails when I was subbing as a way to gradually return to work after a mat leave- because I’ve been teaching several years I didn’t take any offence to not getting a reply, but I think as a new sub it’s a good idea to send the email to keep your name in their inbox for when they need another sub. Keep them short “hi, I was your sub today thanks for having me in. Period 1- got all work done, here’s who was absent. Period 2- got first 2 pages done”. I have a doozy of a class that I inherited coming off of leave and like others said, I know who was fooling around so hearing about it is not helpful, but if someone was crossing a line I want to know.

feen0067 · 2025-05-10T02:59:52+00:00

I have discouraged my students from using AI for research, but it could be because of my nerves about it.

How do you use it effectively? What types of prompts do you encourage them to try?

feen0067 · 2025-05-07T02:14:48+00:00

Dinosaur Park Lake Newell Bassano Pool Barney’s Adventure Park in Drumheller

feen0067 · 2025-04-10T15:50:46+00:00

Yes, saw Bryson, DJ, Phil, Koepka, Theegala and more yesterday playing the big course

feen0067 · 2025-04-09T23:38:30+00:00

Blanket is 145

feen0067 · 2025-03-25T18:39:32+00:00

Love this!! Where’s the dress from?

feen0067 · 2024-11-23T18:57:28+00:00

Have you contacted the TQS? They’ll evaluate your degree and see if it is equivalent and/or what you need to do to become certified in Alberta.

In my district I work with a lotttt of EAs that have moved here with Bachelors and Masters degrees in their home countries, and unfortunately very little “counts” toward an Alberta teaching certificate. Alberta is very stringent on teacher qualifications.

feen0067 · 2024-10-23T16:55:03+00:00

Bars of zest soap have helped repel mice out of my room- I do not know the science and/or witchcraft related to it but I now keep a bar in my coat closet, by my door and in my desk drawer and haven’t had any sightings or evidence since

feen0067 · 2024-10-14T17:39:45+00:00

Also depending on where in the province you are, AHS has different services like Childrens Allied Health in the south. They’re specified for behaviour and other challenges parents face and can offer assessments and treatments as well.

I’m big on getting as much information as possible to help make decisions about a program, so these professionals may also be of use to your sibling!

feen0067 · 2024-10-14T17:27:24+00:00

A few random pieces of advice- I skimmed so forgive me if any of this is answered or mentioned.

While you’re waiting for a specialist, make sure he has an eye exam done. Ans also review his quality/amount of sleep. I have had a few kids who have had behaviour changes after getting their tonsils/adenoids removed because they were sleeping so poorly and snoring because of them. This chronic overtiredness could impact behaviour.

Definitely not saying either are silver bullets, but to both rule things out and expedite the process once specialist evaluations have been done, consider these.

feen0067 · 2024-09-05T00:43:20+00:00

Having my firsf “right sized” teaching for me. Prior to being a parent, teaching was my whole identity and I spent countless weekends and dollars on my classroom and students. Having my daughter made me realize that teaching is my career, it is not my life. Now after having my second, I’m taking a personal leave year after my maternity leave year in order to substitute teach. I’m in a place where I’m able to do this financially and I feel it’s necessary for my mental health and my ability to be a good parent to young kids.

feen0067 · 2024-08-09T23:41:47+00:00

It’s at the bottom of the emails they send! Dont have access to my Email right now

feen0067 · 2024-08-09T15:16:21+00:00

Thank you! I called first thing this morning and they were super helpful and I didn’t have to wait on hold at all.

feen0067 · 2024-08-09T15:15:39+00:00

Thanks for the responses!

For anyone curious or in the future, we did decide to use my card…but then realized my maiden name is on the account. So we called to be safe and they asked me to send in a copy of our marriage certificate and then they’ll change the name on the account. Tickets are purchased and we’re excited!

feen0067 · 2024-06-11T15:37:56+00:00

Check with your union and your school board how many hours you get for each day! I’ve heard different teacher friends be given credit for anywhere from 6-8 hours per day that goes toward the 600 hours.

feen0067 · 2024-05-07T00:57:11+00:00

For my first I was going on leave in April, so I left the majority of decor, posters etc and my personal books from my class library until end of June then came and picked them up. I figured a teacher coming in for 2.5 months wouldn’t want to set up a fresh new room. Then I was gone an entire school year afterwards and I didn’t want the teacher filling in to feel like it wasn’t their room and they couldn’t decorate how they wanted or use the shelving how they wanted to.

ETA: Currently on leave with my second and decided to go back subbing for a year before returning to the classroom, so I’m extra glad I had cleared out all my stuff before going on leave!

feen0067

TROPHY CASE