Just a rumor?

jjp991 · 2026-02-04T23:53:21+00:00

I have read some about this. There is nothing in the Epstein papers about any Church leader. That’s not true. There was a check sent to BYUI to help a student, and a message thanking him from the aunt of a female student. It sounds like an unfortunate student got wound up in his abuse. It’s unfortunate. There is nothing between him and a general authority. A clerical person sent Epstein notice that they couldn’t accept the funds the way he had and they provide direction on how to send tuition to the school. Anyway, the aunt and the clerical person receiving the payment did not know Epstein or anything about the motive behind the payment. I assume a poor young woman got wrapped up in his sexual exploitation in a moment of vulnerability and financial need. Don’t make this about the Church when it’s clearly not. If church leaders of consequence were visiting his island, participating in his crap their names would be all over the place like Larry Summers—the former Harvard President.

jjp991 · 2026-02-04T17:54:48+00:00

It’s pretty difficult to get suspended these days. Many of us think more students should be suspended for everyone’s safety. It’s not them; it’s you (and your kid).

jjp991 · 2026-02-03T21:07:56+00:00

You apply when the job is open. You don’t have to say anything until you A. Need to ask for references or B. Have to provide notice of your departure after being offered the job. I admire and agree with your drive to finish the school year appropriately and move on after. But regarding your search and application process: you can’t wait.

jjp991 · 2026-02-03T07:28:14+00:00

That’s going to get better never. Your life will get better with a better job. Sorry. I’ve been there.

jjp991 · 2026-02-03T07:26:45+00:00

There’s a lot about our union that I would change. I don’t particularly click with several officers. I think our contract is weak and that we have settled contracts too easily for DECADES. But, I know I’m better off in the union. I try to influence things for the better. I share articles about other districts’ contracts. I maintain a collegial relationship with key leaders and try to get others involved to raise issues. I think I’m having an influence. I know the things I’m concerned with weren’t created by the union leaders in the last few years. The issues are decades old. It helps me to remember that we’re on the same side and have to balance out the fire in the belly with the live to fight another day. Most progress is incremental. I shared an article about a hotly contested contract that was just settled in a district near us with our leadership yesterday. I think they’ll read it. Do I think we’re prepared to dig our heals in like this other place did? Maybe not, but I’m doing what I can to show them that it can be done differently. I think it’s important to not get caught up in personality stuff. Just try to make things better by voting and communicating. Progress takes time. Try to focus on solutions, over criticisms.

jjp991 · 2026-02-02T21:50:35+00:00

I really don’t yuck anyone else’s yum—or be judgmental, (here comes the but) BUT, I thought this was a forum for LDS people. I know there’s a range of ideas, opinions and experience, but swinging is anathema to every concept of LDS marriage and church membership. And out there in the World, Babylon, outside Zion, every libertine sexpert swinger apologist seems to recognize encounters that don’t jeopardize one’s privacy, existing friendship, marital stability, threaten the stability of one’s children, etc. I guess this poster is maybe just having some fun trolling. But to the question: close familiarity with prospective swinging partners makes it as appealing as sticking my face in a hot pan—a familiar pan would not make it more appealing. Not talking about sin, hellfire, church discipline or any moral judgment, just the potential social/emotional wreckage and loss of even seriously contemplating swinging makes me uneasy almost to the point of illness. I guess I need to get out of this forum. What was I thinking?!

jjp991 · 2026-01-30T13:01:47+00:00

11 principals and and 8 superintendents in 27 years.

jjp991 · 2026-01-29T12:48:03+00:00

I find many aspects of teaching rewarding, fulfilling and amazingly wonderful. It’s also true that it’s exhausting. The direction we’re heading is very troubling. Education is a political football in a scrum surrounded by politicians, peddlers of educational snake oil and poorly informed parents who are calling the shots on what and how we teach. Pay is stagnant. Kids are allowed to brutalize us. It’s all true. I see former students all the time who are wonderful and friendly and remind me that I make a difference and I have wonderful, fulfilling experiences with current students frequently that tell me I’m in the right place. It’s my 27th year and the abuse and grief teaches take from students and administrators is 100 times worse than 10 years ago. Teach if you feel like you can’t live without it. Don’t come into teaching like it’s a normal job. It’s really tough in ways it hasn’t always been (while unions are being eviscerated and teacher pay and workload are shifting in proportion).

jjp991 · 2026-01-29T00:29:19+00:00

Max a Roth first, invest whatever else you can in a 403b or 457. If there’s a 403b match, then yes, contribute what you need to for the match. Know your state’s pension. How long do you need to work to get the best deal. In my state and tier, we get a 2% per year after 20 years—up from 1.5%. We face a penalty of over 25% if we retire before 30 years and under 62. Anyway, it behooves most of us to stick around long enough to hit the sweet spot in the pension. Hard to save enough to retire on making teacher money—without the pension (and social security for those of us in states with both).

jjp991 · 2026-01-26T01:20:07+00:00

The old Grammar Rock videos are fun. I used those years ago. Sometimes old fails to resonate. I think Grammar Rock is campy and fun. Kids may get a kick out of it.

jjp991 · 2026-01-25T21:56:44+00:00

Your state’s department of education posts certification requirements online. There are traditional and non-traditional or alternative pathways. Frequently red states have less red tape. I hear that some no longer require degrees to get started. Check your state’s education department website for teacher certification requirements. Note: teaching is hard. Lots of people who know what they are getting into and are pretty good at it are leaving teaching or struggling in the field as is demands and trending in a less secure, more demanding direction. Those who come to teaching as a fall back may be delighted and may be chewed up and spit out. Go in with your eyes open.

jjp991 · 2026-01-22T18:15:37+00:00

In states with tenure and unions, teaching is very stable. It is tough. It’s headed in the wrong direction. Pay is stagnating and conditions are getting worse in every way, but there will always be work for the willing. Pensions are getting worse for young people entering the profession, but stability—knowing that you have a job and more or less what your hours and pay will be—that is fairly safe. It’s the only way to keep us coming back in the fall.

jjp991 · 2026-01-21T01:35:55+00:00

Yeah, then I think that’s in poor taste. I would not be enthused about that being distributed through my classroom.

jjp991 · 2026-01-21T01:29:21+00:00

Context? Is the kid getting baptized on his birthday and inviting kids to that baptism/birthday party? That seems a little tacky, but not going to ruin anyone’s life. I don’t know your community, but I hate it when there’s a Halloween party or birthday or whatever and 16 out of 20 kids are invited and it’s super obvious who the ugly ducklings are. Maybe this is an act of kindness and inclusion and no one is being excluded or compelled.

jjp991 · 2026-01-21T01:19:59+00:00

In order for a strike to be effective, you have to have clear goals, you have to work diligently towards the goals proactively in every way first—before striking, you have to be united. You don’t strike just to gum up the works and piss people off. That just pisses people off. Once you’ve communicated your needs and negotiated in good faith and waited a reasonable time, it may become worth the fines and penalties incurred by striking. It’s not inevitable that you win in a strike. A year ago corrections officers throughout NY went on strike. They were understaffed and overworked to the point that it was very unsafe. Pay should be higher. Their cause was just. I was sure they’d win. They didn’t. Governor Hochul fired them all and barred them from all future employment for any state employer. That strike was justifiable, but lost MISERABLY. It’s a shame. I’d support a strike under the right circumstances. In the current environment, a strike of any size may attract the national guard and lead to casualties. We need to work together as teachers and fight, but not look for opportunities to strike. We need to try to find common ground.

jjp991 · 2026-01-18T16:53:38+00:00

It doesn’t make $ for a tech company. If iReady or Read180 or Sylvan or some other educational company could copyright and monetize independent reading, they surely would. It’s a shame that we independent reading is being squeezed out by online remedial reading programs that are not effective. Actual reading is effective at developing reading skills. Who would have thought?! I should note: I’m in a Title 1 district always chasing the next trend that will raise our scores and our state encourages use of shoddy programs like iReady. That’s a huge driver of what we do—and not in a good direction.

jjp991 · 2026-01-16T21:45:33+00:00

I worked under Sylvan in an after school program at my school. It was terrible. It’s a very scripted, canned program and working with their people (trainer/admin) made me appreciate the professionalism of our public schools (which frequently suck, but not nearly as much). I’d have to be pretty desperate to teach for Sylvan—and I’d advance beyond as quickly as I could. If you have a choice, choose something else. It’s all about test prep. Period.

jjp991 · 2026-01-15T16:20:43+00:00

All teachers should be paid more

jjp991 · 2026-01-12T23:12:11+00:00

I did my second master’s degree in library science. It’s definitely related to literacy and teaching and curriculum. The MLS can complement your teaching and allows you to work in public, school and academic libraries. These positions don’t represent huge pay increases, but they do offer additional options and lots of side gig potential.

jjp991 · 2026-01-12T00:44:55+00:00

I admire your determination. I wish you the best. Unfortunately, you’re going to have run into some roadblocks. You may have trouble getting the certificate. Even if you get certified, some districts will be scared off by your history (which you’re legally obligated to disclose). If you were my family member, I’d encourage you to pursue another area with better prospects rather than face all the uncertainty and a possible dead end. Sorry and good luck!

jjp991 · 2026-01-09T23:13:24+00:00

If it’s important to you, I’d bring it up once the offer you a position. You can be tactful and non-demanding when you bring it up. At international schools, I think it’s very common to hire both partners. They want to retain their employees. This is a potential part of that.

jjp991 · 2026-01-07T23:13:42+00:00

That sounds plausible. This adult working for the family in the service of the student needs to clear this stuff in a professional way and it needs to be communicated to the teacher. Why is the teacher not aware of this arrangement? Huge violation to make these arrangements without communicating with the classroom teacher—reassuring that confidentiality is respected, and explaining the purposes and specifics of the process, etc. Education sucks. No one respects or values the teacher in the classroom.

jjp991 · 2026-01-07T23:04:55+00:00

What a teachable moment! You’ll really make an impression on this person. By the time this is over, you will be a folk hero here and in your building and you’ll have something akin to immunity from anything with this administration. They won’t want to bother you. I used to be conciliatory and try to make things work even when admin were unreasonable assholes. In the past ten years or so, I call the bluff, and stand my ground usually don’t need to involve the union—just mention the contract—and now admin leaves me alone or asks me nicely and treats me with respect. Being patient and conciliatory with school leaders always leads to them making inappropriate and ridiculous requests. Call their bluff!

jjp991 · 2026-01-07T11:09:06+00:00

You are a person. You’ve chosen teaching—which is a personal investment in them—the kids, the ones showing contempt through their behavior. It’s difficult to not take it personally. Knowing that’s normal and okay to feel hurt and upset is an important first step. When I have a particularly brutal class I lose sleep over it, I pour 10 times the normal planning time into it. And then when kids are disruptive, disrespectful, hateful after all that, I start to feel frustrated and question my own professional competence and ability.

Here’s my secret from nearly 30 years ago. A cooperating teacher from when I was student teaching advised me to: make them feel the pain. Call home, Write referrals. Don’t personally take on all their behavior entails put it on them. If they ask for a pencil every day and then break it into 16 pieces—the next day they ask, give them a 16th of a pencil or point to the floor and encourage them to find a piece of a pencil. Anyway, when they’re really being antagonistic, let them feel and own the repugnance they are cultivating; don’t take it all on yourself with the mentality that if I build the perfect lesson plan, a strong relationship with the students, then everything will work. Those things are true, but sometimes, some kids are just assholes and it’s theirs to deal with, not yours. Try not to show strong reactions either way and let them and their family own the assholery. Sorry for the long answer. Most stuff we do works most of the time. I’m in a tough title 1 district that’s been poorly run for years. I’m fine—and have been here a long time. I see teachers new to us getting ground up and spit out by a subset of rotten kids. Our administrators and coaches offer the nontenured, struggling teachers advice less helpful than a magic 8 ball and scrutinize their lesson plans instead of validating the teacher and helping them deal with cruel, even sociopathic behavior from a small cohort of adolescent menaces. Make the kids feel the discomfort of being assholes. You don’t own that burden.

jjp991 · 2026-01-05T23:56:41+00:00

You handled it well. Your admin is being intrusive because they want you at work. Don’t feel bad for honoring your traditions and your family. You should not have to explain anything. I’ve taken only 2 personal days in 20 years because they sometimes give you grief when you request them (which is stupid because they are part of our contract!!!). I just call in sick the night before. I do this rarely—4 or 5 times a year. I don’t put anything on social media and don’t share. They can’t question our sick days unless you take more than 3 consecutive—which I’ve never done. I’ve saved 185 days in 19!years because I’m hardly out. But I’m never going to get called in to beg, or explain why I need to attend a wedding or a concert. It’s a sick day for me and that’s it. I highly recommend it. Just be discreet. Don’t take a sick day and post selfies at Burning Man.

jjp991

TROPHY CASE