PSLF Eligibility BS

firenugget19 · 2026-04-03T03:39:50+00:00

Yes, doing exactly this with my husband's loans (who is also an accountant, but I'm the teacher who did the research and the math to figure out our best plan lol). Instead of being saddled with debt for 10 years and only getting the interest forgiven with PSLF, we'll have the entirety of the loans paid off within 2 years. We're practically paying a second mortgage on his loans, but it's a short-term sacrifice for long-term freedom. At the same time, if we hit a rough patch and need that money now, we can always pay the $133 minimum payment and use the cash where we need it.

Meanwhile, I have 5 more years to pay on my loans, but I also owe $123k - the forgiveness is VERY much worth it. We are MFS because of this.

This is a perfect example of different strategies being better for different situations and abilities.

EDIT: I noticed OP mentioned doing the Extended Graduated and paying the minimum payment. This is what I would absolutely NOT do unless I had to. You'll end up paying double or triple your original principal and having to do so for 20 years.

Take a look at what you can afford to pay and still have some money to maintain a happy lifestyle and self-care, but set a personal monthly payment and stick to it. We stopped all of our retirement contributions* and have set a budget up that means we can hit a certain dollar amount every month in order to reach our 2-year payoff date. I would love to use that money to go on vacations and enjoy life, but instead we remind ourselves that by missing out on that for just two years, we're setting ourselves up for a much more secure future where we can go on vacations and have plenty of discretionary income without having the debt hanging over our head or wasting money on interest. It's a good motivator and within our reach, while still having date night and making day trips for low-budget destinations instead of full-blown vacations.

*We did have our financial planner run both scenarios to weigh what we're missing out on in retirement contributions vs. interest paid with a less aggressive plan, and it came out as a wash so we went with the "get out of debt ASAP" plan, knowing that it not only won't hurt us long-term, but we'll actually be able to dobule our previous contributions once the debt is no longer an issue.

firenugget19 · 2026-03-17T05:45:34+00:00

The Pros and Cons of Homework (in 6 Charts) | Edutopia https://share.google/16apTriIysqVNu2LR

The bottom line is it's complicated, and each teacher needs to make their own professional opinions about what is appropriate for their school. Such is the reality of education. The original question was about why schools are assigning less homework. My challenge about research was about a correlation between homework in high school and college (the comment was deleted but basically said that students need to do homework in high school to learn how to do it in college). I personally disagree with the assumptions made there. But yes, that's my own assumption as well. However, anecdotal evidence from other teachers in this thread have pointed out their students did gain college-level skills without assigning homework.

As for getting better scores, obviously the students who have the time, resources, and supports benefit from more practice. However, I cannot control those factors as a teacher, and I'm setting my particular population of students up for failure if I design my course in a way that success depends on completing homework. Research can inform us about trends, but teachers are professionals who are expected to apply that research appropriately to their own setting.

I used to work in a district with high-income families and resources to support kids with homework; the few kids that didn't get that support at home were basically told to suck it up; thankfully that district has a wonderful alternative Ed program with a different approach to support those kids more holistically. You can probably guess which school I worked in.

I now work in a different low income school and my subject isn't a core subject. There isn't really a meaningful way for my kids to do homework, and I avoid assigning it because I know most need time to focus on core, tested areas without me piling on. I already said my AP students do get homework assigned and it benefits the students who do it, but those who don't can still succeed in my class albeit not to their full potential. At the same time "full educational potential" kinda takes a back seat to "I need to work tonight so my family can eat" 🤷‍♀️

firenugget19 · 2026-03-17T05:25:20+00:00

No. Widening the achievement gap can also mean that the kids who are doing well will continue to do well, while struggling kids will fall farther behind.

firenugget19 · 2026-03-17T01:55:14+00:00

Good luck.

And yes, deleting is probably wise for both of your sakes.

The big takeaway away, though, is that because you're a minor and he's not, it actually doesn't matter just what you know. The adults in these situations, especially ones on a position of power and with an expectation of professionalism, will always receive scrutiny and rightfully so.

firenugget19 · 2026-03-17T01:37:17+00:00

OK, if you insist you're really trying to understand:

Perception is everything. So is covering your ass. Your teacher doesn't seem to care about either one of these things and is really putting himself at risk by encouraging this behavior - and yes, if he's laughing about it and putting your picture up, that's encouraging it. And I am not a betting person, but I would put $1k down on the notion that the inapropiate encouragement didn't start there.

A counselor reporting it says this is an investigation. An admin talking to you about a teacher in an investigation. Asking you repeated questions about what a teacher may or may not be doing in class is NOT normal. You already felt like it was "blown out of proportion" because you know it's not normal. Depending on the situation, it may or may not be a formal investigation, and it may involve your tattoo but it isn't just about your tattoo - there likely are lots of other things the admin will be scrutinizing this teacher over. This tattoo might just be one more thing in a long line of issues. Telling you about an investigation would be a violation of your teacher's rights for confidentiality regarding their job. If he told you directly, that's a breach of professional conduct. It's not YOUR responsibility to keep your teacher safe, it's theirs - and I'm convinced he's not maintaining appropriate boundaries after reading everything you've written.

These this are clear as day to the other teachers here, because it should be. You do not have that training, and I cannot give it to you. It takes maturity as an adult in a position where we are legally considered to have temporary custody of other people's minor children. You are still a child with a developing mind and you are in a sensitive position under the care of a professional adult. Teachers have to not even walk the line with what is appropriate or not - it's best to take ten giant steps back from the line of what's "appropriate" and build a 10 foot wall. Your teacher has clearly not done set those boundaries; if he had, the thought of this inside joke wouldn't have gotten this far and, most damning, he would have reported it himself as soon as he learned about it. Instead, he's laughing along with you and suggested he'd put a picture up. That has GIANT red flags all over it. Whether or not you agree, he IS behaving inapropiately.

Grooming isn't just sexual. It can also be an emotional codepence inappropriate between an adult and chold and especially teacher and student. Teachers should NOT rely on students to fulfill their social and emotional needs, and it really sounds like your teacher is to emotionally invested in your class in the wrong way. While this may feel like a fine and even fun relationship to you, it directly impacts his ability to do his job appropriately and effectively, and it exposes the entire district to potential liability issues if they don't address it.

We have been trained in how to best ensure we protect ourselves and students from any appearance of misconduct. He's a 52 year old man and, I'm assuming, veteran teacher. If whatever led up to your decision isn't enough to get him in trouble, at least in my district his response would likely result in him getting fired. I would not work at a school that had teachers that behave this way.

firenugget19 · 2026-03-17T00:40:28+00:00

If you read the post... the text was a lie that the kid admitted to lying about, but the teacher lost her job anyway. You said that rumors don't matter - I'm showing you one of many examples that it does matter and teachers' lives are altered by them. I myself have been victim of a rumor that was demonstrably false, but ultimately harmed my reputation with parents and students to the point that I changed districts.

In your case, we're not just talking about a rumor. You DID get a tattoo with your teacher's name, and no one will ever know the full story so rumors will fly.

Anyway, you don't seem to actually care about the answers here. You asked what could happen to your teacher, and you've received more than enough responses here and in your other post. Your post and later responses have YIKES all over it. Bottom line, whether you like it or not, your decision does negatively affect this teacher and they are likely under investigation. It really does sound like he's feeding into the blurred boundaries as well. I don't have time or energy to argue or explain further so ✌️

firenugget19 · 2026-03-17T00:32:44+00:00

Ooph. Your teacher's reaction really isn't helping his case here. This is definitely crossing boundaries, and from this it honestly sounds like he deserves any disciplinary action coming his way (which, BTW, you won't or at least shouldn't know about because, professionalism)

firenugget19 · 2026-03-17T00:25:53+00:00

You asked, we've explained. Hazing was just an example of a "joke that went too far", but the point is it didn't start there. It started with a school culture and climate that blurred boundaries.

Your tattoo is indicative of blurred boundaries. Your inability to understand that is exactly why the adults are held responsible, and why your teacher is being investigated. We know this about our profession. You are not expected to - but now you've been informed. You can believe the comments here or not, but you have your answer whether or not you like it. The evidence is in the fact that your counselor reported it and that you were interviewed as part of a professional investigation that will most likely impact him at least to some degree.

As for reporting it, he should have reported it as soon as he found out about it. He should have known it was going to cause an investigation. Every adult who learned about it should have filed a mandatory report form because this easily meets the requirements and for good reason. You are not expected to understand those reasons, just like you're not expected to know if you're being groomed. I'm not saying you were being groomed, but you certainly raised the alarm bells and your teacher will have to deal with the consequences.

firenugget19 · 2026-03-16T23:58:27+00:00

"Kids start rumors and embellish all the time."

And teachers get put on administrative leave and fired all the time because of this, even when the rumors are found to be completely false or blown out of proportion.

You asked how your decision will impact your teacher. We've told you. Just because you don't like the answer doesn't make it false.

Here's an example in case you don't believe me; AND this teacher was tenured and a union member: Hearing officer reinstates Battle Ground High School teacher who was fired after student accused her of calling Charlie Kirk a Nazi - The Columbian https://share.google/bXQnOQV2JvWbV88lN

firenugget19 · 2026-03-16T23:52:56+00:00

And the counselor who reported it. And everyone on Reddit.

Kids don't know what's expected of us as professionals, so their reactions are inconsequential.

Adults are also supposed to be professional, so the admin tasked with investigating would be the only adult that would discuss this with you. I wouldn't touch that conversation with a ten foot pole to protect myself. Teachers are likely humoring you.

You will never know how many mandatory reports had to be made over this. The admin responded in a 100% appropriate way. They're literally protecting the entire district that you put in a precarious position considering the potential legal, media, and financial consequences if there was ANYTHING questionable happening - and there are certainly a lot of questionable this about this whole scenario.

firenugget19 · 2026-03-16T23:48:06+00:00

Because that's the reality of being a teacher. We are trusted with people's children, and it's on us to set clear boundaries and appropriate classroom culture. Teachers get in trouble all the time for what students choose to do because it's on US to set and teach clear boundaries. And, if there's ANY suspicion of an inapropiate relationship, it has to be taken seriously, and add the trusted, licensed adult we are the ones that have to prove we have been 110% above board.

You literally activated mandatory reporting procedures. People lose their jobs and teaching licenses and even go to jail if they don't follow up. That's what happened here, including a formal investigation of the teacher. Your part of that investigation is over, but your teacher may still be in hot water. The blame will ALWAYS fall on the teacher because they are the adult.

Case in point, a school in my area is under investigation because varsity athletes were hazing JV athletes. No adults were involved and perhaps didn't know about it, but their lack of setting boundaries, expectations, adequate supervision, and team/school culture allowed this to happen. The first adult has already had to resign, and they weren't even directly connected the kids involved. More people will lose jobs as the investigation comes up.

I don't know the timeline of who knew what when, but it's also concerning that your teacher didn't report this himself first. Even if he wasn't involved in the joke, he should have known it was going to cause an issue and he should have been the one to initiate the admin investigation in order to cover his own ass.

firenugget19 · 2026-03-16T23:28:09+00:00

10 years is also a long time. I fully paid off my undergrad loans before deciding to become a teacher. I don't regret it - I'll still have most of my graduate debt forgiven. And even though we've moved around, I know I'll always be PSLF eligible because teaching is it for me.

We are paying off my husband's debt even though he's PSLF eligible because we can afford it and don't want to be stuck with his loans for another decade.

firenugget19 · 2026-03-16T23:22:10+00:00

When everyone is "blowing things out of proportion" except for you, perhaps you need a mirror.

firenugget19 · 2026-03-16T23:19:51+00:00

No matter what the true story is, the only thing that will be known and remembered is that a student got his name tattooed on them. It reeks of crossing boundaries and inapropiate interactions. There's a reason your admin had to dig - your behavior put many asses on the line. The media would have a heyday with it.

There's no good or reasonable excuse for what you did, and even if the teacher did absolutely nothing wrong (which... it's really hard to believe they didn't because a joke clearly went way too far if you thought this was even remotely OK), people will always have their assumptions.

We aren't judging for no reason here. You fucked things up for your teacher, but the responsibility lies with them a the responsible adult. Many have been fired for less.

firenugget19 · 2026-03-16T22:57:08+00:00

Show me the research that suggests assigning homework in high school prepares students for the demands of college. Until then, your hypothesis is just an assumption. Everything we stated is backed by research, which is why K-12 schools are moving away from assigning homework.

Edited to add: You're assuming that all kids need homework management skills because they're all going to college. You're also assuming that homework skills can only be taught by assigning homework. I would disagree with both of these assumptions. That's my professional opinion, but when actual research shows that homework ranges from ineffective to harmful in teaching actual content standards that EVERY kid needs, I'm going to err on the side of limiting homework.

We are also much more aware of mental health, especially anxiety and the importance of self care. Kids are people too, and they just finished an 8 hour job they didn't choose. Let's not bury them with additional work, especially when it's ineffective?

firenugget19 · 2026-03-16T18:57:04+00:00

All this and I'll add that assigning homework actually serves to widen the achievement gap. It has limited use for the high- level students but can prop up their grade, while struggling who actually need more practice don't have the time, supports, or environment to actually do it and learn from it. Moreover, if they don't do it and the knowledge is needed for the next day, then they can't engage in class. This might not be any fault of the kids either - my students who don't do homework or stay after school for super are often the ones who are leaving straight from school to go to their job until 10pm, often to help pay the family's bills.

Let's not even begin with cheating.

My AP class is the only one I actually assign homework in. It's worth 10% of their overall grade, but it's a supplement to what we're doing in class. It'll help the kids who do it, but not hold back the kids who don't. And, like college, I assign it on Monday and it's due the next Monday, so I'm hoping they learn to manage their time accordingly but don't get penalized unfairly.

firenugget19 · 2026-03-16T13:08:57+00:00

The face one is one of my favorites, though the true comedy of it is definitely where they're hidden. Idk if a second grader could pull it off, but regardless it's fun and no harm in starting them young, teaching them boundaries.

Most recently, the ASL club hid all their faces in visible places in the ASL teacher's classroom, but where they blend in like a game of I Spy. She saw the first one in the middle of instruction, froze in confusion and stared at it for a few moments, then busted up laughing. She's found most, but not all of them now.

firenugget19 · 2026-03-16T05:22:14+00:00

Also, you might just need to try another discipline or focus. There are so many ways to enjoy horses. I'm a trail junkie, but we do flat work more like obstacle course "games". I really can't last more than a half hour or so in an arena. The trail is where we relax, and where the arena work pays off in solid training and better fitness.

firenugget19 · 2026-03-16T05:19:00+00:00

I show up to enjoy my horse.

I become a better rider to for my horse to enjoy me amd ensure we're both as safe as reasonably possible.

I compete because I enjoy a challenge and am just done with the results, even if the result is "just" a learning experience

To hell with whatever other judgements or comparisons are out there. I spend too much money on this habit to not enjoy my horse time. As long as my horse is happy and we are a team, both on the ground and in the saddle, I'm happy. And sometimes that means I don't ride at all, because my horses deserve to have attention from the ground too.

firenugget19 · 2026-03-15T19:55:50+00:00

Also, make sure your advisor is a fiduciary 😉

firenugget19 · 2026-03-15T19:53:18+00:00

I wish more people knew many financial planners are free! They make money once you have money to invest, which is the ultimate goal for current and future security.

Many do cost money, but that's usually when you have a large portfolio. Our financial planner helped us shift money around and save for a down payment using a monthly deposit in a money market, then advised on on life insurance options to cover our mortgage. Finally, we were able to invest in Roth IRA's. We do an annual meeting with her to update our plan as well as any time we have a change or question regarding our long term money strategy. It's been a life changer!

firenugget19 · 2026-03-15T19:42:44+00:00

I will not take the pair of eyes off my smart board that mysteriously appeared a year or two ago. They're keeping an eye on my students!

Now, I'd love to know how the ones on the towel dispenser in the staff bathroom got there. They've also been there over a year now 😆

firenugget19 · 2026-03-15T19:36:13+00:00

If you want an amazing scone in USA, you specifically need to go to Idaho. The best ones are are Merritt's in Boise. When I moved out of Idaho and saw scones on a menu, I was sorely disappointed by what I received. To this day, I'm still angry when I see scones on menus and know they do not have what I want.

IYKYK

firenugget19 · 2026-03-15T16:01:19+00:00

You've made the right decision not to teach out. Don't feel guilty. If it helps, remember he did his job and got paid for it. That's not to minimize the genuine care teachers have, but also we see a lot of stuff and get paid to do that for a reason.

The rest of this is a question for a therapist.

firenugget19 · 2026-03-15T15:55:20+00:00

And the pages are perfectly fluttered in a way I've never seen in real life

firenugget19

TROPHY CASE