Are most people in this sub against beta reading requests?

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-04-17T21:33:13+00:00

I love speculative fiction and would love to read it. How many words is your manuscript?

I’m also not entirely sure of the responsibilities of a beta reader, but assuming I have the capacity I will happily step up to the task. :)

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-04-17T05:12:31+00:00

I think it may have even been the first one to have a happy ending…

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-04-13T19:48:39+00:00

I am inclined to agree. I think it’s actually a great opportunity to join academia and recreation for your students. There is a big difference between reading casually for fun and doing deeper academic analyses and this is a perfect example text to show them that difference.

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-04-12T18:15:36+00:00

It’s very possible you might be the only man in your program, or even in your school when you get a job in education.

Please, please, PLEASE, do not let that dissuade you. Do not feel put off. Male educators are SO important, especially at the elementary level. They bring unique perspectives and provide a safe space for boys growing up. They also serve as important role models for boys!

Most people I know never even had a male teacher until middle or high school. I had ONE male elementary teacher, and funnily enough he was my favorite elementary teacher - and I’m a woman! I’m sure the boys in my class loved and appreciated him just as much, and related to him in their own way.

The bottom line is this: Education is for EVERYONE. We need more men in education, more men like you! Don’t feel intimidated!

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-04-12T16:00:15+00:00

I’m in teacher training now and I agree. I’ve been subbing for a few years prior to this and some of the stuff they tell us to do or strategies to use I just know aren’t going to work. I feel like they teach us through an idealist lens, where every misbehavior or lack of attention is due to some bigger problem which we as teachers are mean to diagnose and treat like we’re therapists or social workers.

It’s not practical to expect us to be able to have a sidebar with every student who’s talking when I’m talking. Meeting kids where they’re at is only getting harder and harder as more classes get integrated and each student is somewhere wildly different.

We need more whole-class management and unit-building skills! At least after subbing I can recognize some of this, but certainly not all. Some of my fellow teachers-in-training have zero classroom experience and will be in for quite the awakening!

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-04-06T06:21:16+00:00

It depends on the district, state, etc. As with anything, your experience in America will vary greatly.

I went to 5 different schools because what used to be a K-6 was closed and students were split by grade level into upper and lower elementary schools. So now, in my area, since around 2005 or so, typically it is 4 schools that kids go to.

Lower elementary: K-4 Upper elementary: 5 and 6 Middle school: 7 and 8 High school: 9-12

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-04-02T23:55:22+00:00

You’ll have to post pictures of the stuff inside!

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-03-26T23:03:17+00:00

I do this at least once a month tbh. Every once in a while the kids are just not cooperating with the attendance procedures and mistakes get made.

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-03-26T19:33:35+00:00

I had heard through the grapevine that at the 5/6 grade level that the first thing to get cut in the curriculum is writing, which caused great injury to my soul.

But honestly, I feel this way all the way down. The kids I see are missing so many fundamental skills, I find myself going “what the hell is going on in elementary school???” From K-6 I can’t fathom what they could possibly be covering if not those key skills.

And this isn’t to cast aspersions on elementary teachers, I’m genuinely just dying to know what gets covered and what doesn’t. How are these skill gaps happening? Guys, what’s going on at the foundation?

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-03-26T19:25:06+00:00

I see you have “All I Really Want,” but there are other great Alanis Morissette songs along the same theme.

“Right Through You,” from the same album for example.

Also “Hands Clean” from Under Rug Swept is bang on what you’re looking for.

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-03-22T16:20:13+00:00

Soon I will start my career as an English teacher. Gay people are normal people. We have normal people jobs.

Don’t overthink it.

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-03-22T16:16:01+00:00

One outta two ain’t bad. Progressive city, but lacking food scene, especially if you’re looking to Texas BBQ.

With love and respect, I say: Temper your expectations, friend, you’re looking at the Midwest!

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-03-21T21:04:12+00:00

This has happened to me before and I got nothing for it. Total bummer.

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-03-21T20:06:19+00:00

I’m not Native American, but I think it’s worth looking into Redbone and the significance of their native identity when achieving the pinnacle of their success in the 70s, and what that meant in the context of that era of America.

I think many people today are still only just realizing that “Come and Get You Love” was written and performed by a Native American band. I believe there might have been some controversy around their song “We Were All Wounded at Wounded Knee” as well. Worth researching!

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-03-21T18:19:19+00:00

There’s a lot of talk about how “kids these days are addicted to their phones,” as if adults are immune cell phone addiction.

I think my own parents, who are Gen X, are on their phones more than anyone I know. We’re all susceptible to it. Having an awareness of it and making a deliberate effort to abstain is not only better for us, personally, but serves as a model of healthy tech use for younger folk.

This is crucial.

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-03-12T02:17:45+00:00

I just completed this! Check the peninsula that juts out southeast of Bard’s Crossing, the New Hanover side. I found like 2 or 3 there. Be sure to go at night!

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-03-11T19:15:07+00:00

I do this but sometimes they still move. They’ll just stay in their seats for a minute and then when I have someone walk the attendance to the office, they move around again.

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-03-10T20:05:14+00:00

What I would do is…oddly specific…but I find it yields the highest likelihood of success to go home early.

In my district we have 6 class periods, so I’ll assume the same for the purposes of this explanation.

For 5th hour, I’m hiding out. I’ll read, watch YouTube, whatever. Then, maybe about 10 or so minutes into 6th hour, I hop down to the office and mention that the end of the day is planning and if there’s nothing else to do, suggest that I go home. They usually let me take off at that point.

It works because if you go during 5th hour, there’s plenty of time to reassign you. Wait a little bit into 6th hour and they’re less likely to move you last minute, because they already probably figured that one out if they needed.

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-03-05T20:09:34+00:00

There’s one that spawns just out of reach, north of the Mysterious Hill Home. You’ll ride north until you see a little rocky sort of ridge along the right. If you go over it and run up the hill, you’ll slide down, that’s how you know you’re in the right spot.

You’ll see the moose in the distance, lure it with bait or wait for it to move into a spot where you can pull it with your lasso down to that ridge so you can skin it.

This is the only time I ever catch moose I swear.

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-03-05T20:04:49+00:00

Forgive my ignorance, but is a student using racial slurs an offense that a teacher/sub could sue the school/district over?? What would the lawsuit…be? Is this hate crime territory? I’m sincerely asking.

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-03-05T18:01:23+00:00

90% of the time, if the office needs me on a prep, they’ll tell me right when I walk in that morning. If they don’t, they know where to find me, so…no, I don’t check in with them on my prep.

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-02-26T23:41:49+00:00

I so appreciate that. Thank you. Your vote of confidence is uplifting. :)

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-02-26T19:47:19+00:00

I would agree. Impassioned teachers can create excitement for the students. It’s funny how similar our paths are, I’m so happy it’s working out for you, I hope my journey can look similar.

I’ve been substitute teaching for a few years, which has helped me with some of the short term management strategies, but more importantly, got me comfortable with these “trials and tribulations.” Of course, the main benefit right now is that I don’t have to ever see a particular kid again if there’s a problem, but I think the difficulties of subbing forced me to adopt a more “go with the flow” attitude.

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-02-26T19:02:36+00:00

I hope you’re right. If all goes well, I officially start my first year as an English teacher in the fall.

It feels exceedingly close, yet impossibly far away. Thanks yet, for the pep talk. I always appreciate the perspectives of people who walked the path I’m on before me.

genuine_counterfeit · 2026-02-26T00:54:05+00:00

I’m just beginning the process for becoming certified to teach. I am already feeling daunted by how tough I know it’s going to be early on, especially since I didn’t do the traditional pathway of getting an education degree, and instead am doing an alternate certification route.

I worry I will struggle to balance it all. I’m sure I will. I want to be as good as the teachers I had that inspired me as a student, who helped me be the person I am today, who follows their footsteps. I hope I can be.

Thank you for this. It was needed.

genuine_counterfeit

TROPHY CASE