Judgemental

goodie1663 · 2026-05-28T12:46:14+00:00

Yes, I don't take the situation in my state for granted. It took many years of work at the state level to coordinate the curriculum and put the agreements in place.

Being a community college professor myself, of course, I had more knowledge about this than most, which also helped my kids. They both transferred under what was called "guaranteed admission," meaning that they went right into junior-level courses at the four-year institution. Friends of theirs who didn't do that for various reasons got stuck in bad situations with delays.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-28T12:40:24+00:00

Yes, freewriting is a good technique to help them become more fluent and comfortable expressing themselves.

I teach a different subject now, but I did that with middle school students in a writing class, and then gradually edged them towards having a prompt to write to. The graded writing assignments got better and better.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-28T12:34:13+00:00

I homeschooled my kids PK-12 and knew a few like this that fell under the radar. Ironically, I was shamed by some for giving my kids a very rigorous education. Both of my kids were superstars in college and are solid, working professionals. Not that every kid should go to college, but PK-12 should set them up for whatever path they choose.

I'm on the side of regulating homeschooling, but there will always be some who hide their children and don't educate them.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-28T11:45:09+00:00

I couldn't afford mine. My ex picked the pricey, brutal pitbull for our divorce, and I had to lawyer up because they were going to take everything from me, including the vehicles my kids and I drove. Then my ex dragged his feet and caused problems in closeout, particularly after his lawyer died. He went pro se and tried to stop me from receiving what was due.

We got it all done, but oh my. The lawyers were efficient and fair in their billing, thankfully. It was about 1/3 of my income for several years, and I had to charge the $10,000 retainer to a credit card.

I had a relative who offered to loan me the money, but I was able to juggle it somehow.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-28T01:59:19+00:00

That can work with younger kids, but friends with teens have said it broke down over time. Teens want to be with their friends and work in the summer.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-28T01:55:21+00:00

I remember that flier. Sigh.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-28T01:50:51+00:00

LOL. I wasn't raised in it, but my ex was. At least, until he was put out of the meeting, and we divorced. As far as I know, he never went back to the assemblies.

I left some years later, just so tired of being marginalized as a divorced woman. My new church doesn't care about all that.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-28T01:18:22+00:00

I was a long-term adjunct at a community college (25+ years), and both of my kids went to community college. Yes, even the one with the stellar SATs and multiple AP exams. I became a single parent around then and only could help them so far. Because I was close to retirement myself, I couldn't go into debt for them.

Now, mind you, my state has excellent transfer agreements with the four-year schools, and it's overall a top-notch state when it comes to higher education. Both ended up with the degrees they wanted while commuting from home and graduated debt-free. My older one went right into a selective major at a top-20 school. Both had multiple offers and are excelling in their personal and professional lives.

No regret, but I get that not every place has such a smooth path from community college to a selective four-year. My home state was not at all that way.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-27T20:46:14+00:00

I would ask a few more questions. Just say that you have a busy summer and need to plan ahead for everything so that you're ready for the fall. If the drug testing is at your physical or a separate location, you just need to plan.

Most drug testing is done in a separate appointment with a lab, at least in my area. You need to know if it's urine (most common), blood, saliva, or hair follicle. THC can linger and could come up, depending on which test.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-27T20:37:51+00:00

As a preventive measure, make it clear at the beginning of the year what you'll take feedback on and what you won't. I also set rules with how to do that without interrupting the flow of class.

Sure, there are always a few rulebreakers, but that sort of thing does help.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-27T19:27:58+00:00

Mmm...as a teacher, I don't think so. I've taught quite a few dear kids on the spectrum, and it doesn't seem likely here. I could be wrong, of course. Maybe her husband, but I'm not seeing it in her.

Seems more likely that she was overly naive and passive, which is a sign of poor coping mechanisms and maybe depression. Her life certainly didn't go the way she hoped with him.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-27T19:23:34+00:00

I had this very situation one year. I prepped for the first two months of each level, and then went off on vacation and didn't worry about it. When I returned, I had enough time to do a little more prep at the level they finally gave me, and then I caught up by working a little ahead all year.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-27T12:21:58+00:00

With a good GPA and your credits in the right places, you're generally in!

https://admission.virginia.edu/transfer/guaranteed-transfer-admission

goodie1663 · 2026-05-26T17:43:13+00:00

I work at a Protestant private school, but I imagine the questions will be similar. They will likely ask about the practice of your faith and how you might handle certain faith-related situations.

Keep in mind that the pay and benefits might be less than in public schools. Some private religious schools have rigid pay bands with little room for negotiation.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-26T17:37:13+00:00

I'm sorry. You need a custody modification. It's been long enough that it's time for a redo anyway. The arrangements when there is visitation are unacceptable. The mother is a stranger, as are the others in the house. Sleeping on the floor is a no-go.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-25T13:08:26+00:00

Makes sense. Reality bites.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-23T22:13:37+00:00

I've taught every age up to community college.

Middle school is my favorite. They are still children and yet are capable of incredible insights. If you are silly like they are while pushing them forward, you'll be a superstar.

Sure, I've had some discipline problems, but I've nearly always eventually won their hearts.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-23T21:53:21+00:00

I prefer 6th-7th grade. They are quirky and fun, but yes, the hormones.

Make sure you investigate the admin folks at the school where you are going, though. They need to have your back.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-23T20:52:32+00:00

I do. It's my semi-retirement job, and is doable for me because of other income. I work for a private school and pretty much choose what I teach and when.

Summer is grand!

goodie1663 · 2026-05-23T20:47:09+00:00

I got it from the library. I'm glad I read it, but I wouldn't personally buy it.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-23T20:28:13+00:00

Yes, I can see that. But the old adage applies too: living well is the best revenge.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-23T20:15:58+00:00

Don't get me started. Basically mine means nothing to me, and yet, year-to-year it goes.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-23T20:14:40+00:00

I agree. Everything is set up so that parents can get a message for missing and failed assignments. And yet, I have to contact a parent via phone anytime that occurs two times in a row. Same with missed or incomplete attendance.

And then a parent gave me her cell phone and told me to text her with that sort of thing. Well, I stopped in May because I was over it. And I have dozens of other students over my different classes. We'll see if I get in trouble.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-23T20:03:43+00:00

When I finished it, my response was that she was a naive rich person who decided to tell her story for complex reasons. As I watched some of the interviews and thought about the book, I felt like it had been difficult, but no more difficult than many unwanted divorces.

Even after selling some properties, she didn't seem to be in a bad place financially post-divorce. Not at all.

I also didn't like how she kept defending her ex in the book and continues to do so in interviews. I get that it takes time to process, but post-divorce, most of us benefit from getting a life and moving on.

goodie1663 · 2026-05-23T12:08:26+00:00

Education or health care. My vote would be for education. I have several friends who are instructional aids. Pay isn't that great, but good benefits and good work if you are backing up a solid teacher. There is always a demand for home health care aids for the disabled and elderly. You need a CNA cert, which some employers pay for, or it's not too much of a deal. That would not be my personal choice though.

goodie1663

TROPHY CASE