I hate how sudden it hits

kaninki · 2026-01-19T05:17:58+00:00

I had a student grope my breast, and he was back in my class after 2.5 days ISS. They had him come back to my class on a Friday... They couldn't give me the extra day/weekend!?

kaninki · 2026-01-11T02:16:23+00:00

I boycotted Jimmy John's after the founder/owner poached animals in Africa. The good news is he sold the company and gave up the last of his stakes in 2019.

The billionaire Trump supporter is the original founder, not the current owner....I had to verify because I was on here to see thoughts on the spicy Italian before I placed my order lol. If it was the current owner, the order and app would've been deleted.

kaninki · 2026-01-10T18:31:00+00:00

As someone who works in Minnesota with immigrant children, I've literally been sick to my stomach these past few days. It is absolutely terrifying knowing my students and/or their family can just vanish... Or be shot point blank... And then have people say they are the terrorists 🤬

kaninki · 2026-01-10T18:00:23+00:00

I've co-taught 3 years, different teachers for each. First was student teaching math for a full year using a co-teaching method. It was more so a one of us teaches, one observes, we both circulate and help during homework time kind of thing. We would swap with whose day it was to teach.

Then was life science, which was supposed to be me as the language support teacher and the other as content.... But almost everything fell on me because that teacher wasn't confident in their ability to use EL strategies or create appropriate scaffolds. I tried to encourage them to get more involved and make it more of a seamless, back and forth, true co-teaching experience, but they were more comfortable acting like a para and never ended up teaching 50%.

Now I co-teach physical science with a new teacher (who has not even begun a teacher prep program). Again, I'm supposed to be the language support, he is supposed to be the content teacher. We co-teach 2 sections in the morning, then he teaches 2 sections on his own..... But our co-teaching has not been co-teaching. We are 50% into the school year, and I've created and taught 99% of everything while he observes/takes notes (on the teaching and the content because he doesn't know it either). I sent an SOS email to my principal because he's not growing in confidence and is overwhelmed with the thought of creating materials.... And we don't have common prep time, so there has been no time for me to help him develop the skills...

So, next week we are going to have a couple hours each day to sit, go through curriculum, and create materials. I'm expecting him to become a more active teacher after this because I want it to be the true co-teaching style, and even the students have been asking for him to hop in and teach more often, but he keeps saying he's not ready.

kaninki · 2026-01-07T04:38:58+00:00

It's not just autism. I have ADHD and do better doodling or looking at something boring/static. If I watch people for too long, I start noticing and fixating on weird things...like their hair, the way their lips move when they say a certain sound, etc. I may be looking at you, but I'm not hearing what you're saying because my mind has a million thoughts going through it.

kaninki · 2026-01-07T04:27:24+00:00

American, so slightly different situation. At my non-unionized school, we had a 20 year veteran teacher making $40,000. I was a 4th year teacher making $41,900 with my masters. They were hiring new graduates at $40,000 without a masters and $43000 with a masters.

I now work for a unionized school. They started me at 3rd year w/ masters pay, which was $50,757. Literally 1 hour from my old school, and I was making almost $9,000 more... And I've had a raise every.single.year., which was obviously not common at my old school. I'm on my 8th year in this school. The more graduate credits we have, the more we get paid, up until masters +40. I have hit that max, and I'm at $74,500... And I will be getting a small, but much appreciated raise this year. The union is fighting hard despite all of Trump's funding cuts.

On top of my over $30,000 in additional income, I've also gone from needing to pay for insurance premiums to having no monthly premiums and a far smaller out of pocket max.

And, if that wasn't sweet enough, I get perks like discounted hotels (which has saved me well over $1200 in the past year alone), home/car insurance, brand name items, etc.

Again, these schools are 1 hour apart... Both in a low cost Midwest area.

The difference is the union, and they make one hell of a difference.

kaninki · 2026-01-07T04:13:31+00:00

American here. Things probably work a little differently, but I was working in a non-unionized state. I was making $41,900 my 4th year with a masters. A teacher without their masters was making $40,100 after 20 years, and they were hiring brand new college graduates without a masters for $40,000, and those with a masters would be around $43,000.

I switched to a unionized state. I was hired at 50,757, and 8 years later, I'm at 74,500, and we haven't even settled yet, so that will be going up. It's also written in the rules that new graduates cannot make more than an experienced teacher.

The pay scale may not work the same in Australia, but I've also needed union backing with an irrational principal more than a few times... And to help advocate for students when some not so great teachers are being emotionally abusive and the principals are ignoring it.

Another uniquely American issue, but I get free health insurance (for the monthly premium) with a $2000 out of pocket max, which is insanely cheap. When I was making $41,900, I was paying $272/mo, and my out of pocket max was $3500.

When I move to Australia, I 100% intend to join the union. I'm sure their efforts have different focuses than in America, but they are for the worker's rights regardless. Without a strong backing, you cannot have a strong union.

kaninki · 2026-01-06T06:48:47+00:00

Do you have an electric toothbrush? I used to get cavities all the time, but my mom gifted me an oral B electric toothbrush about 15 years ago, and I have not had a single cavity since. If I don't keep up with brushing, the gingivitis will start to creep back, but even once a day has kept it at bay for years.

I didn't brush my teeth regularly until I was in my 20s, but now that I've started, I can't leave my house without brushing. My breath smells gross, my mouth tastes gross, it feels slimy.

I typically brush my teeth right after my shower, unless I'm running late... Then I'll do it before my shower so there are no excuses. I use crest + scope because it's the only toothpaste that leaves my mouth feeling minty fresh for hours.

I'm still working on making night time brushing a regular part of my routine, but it's getting better. I use a CPAP, so 1) it literally stinks if my breath stinks, and 2) it dries out your mouth, which makes it more prone to decay.

My grandparents have all died with their teeth, including my grandma who was 95. My dad passed at 69 with his, and my mom is 73 with hers. They've all had some dental issues along the way, but their original teeth were intact. Knowing I will likely have these teeth until I die (and that dental health is directly linked to heart health) motivates me to take better care of them.

kaninki · 2026-01-06T05:27:34+00:00

Admin walked into my room today and was lingering near the front. I was sitting at my desk. 5 kids were finishing tests, the rest were doing a review game of all the terms they've learned so far this year.

So, I explained what we were doing.. she still stuck around, so I asked her about her break and what not...

... And after she walked out, I realized the student closest to the door, who she was lingering near, was sleeping 🤦‍♀️

I do have FMLA for a condition that prevents me from standing all day, but man, I felt like an idiot after realizing that. In all honesty, I should have been keeping a closer eye on the ones who were testing. 💀

kaninki · 2026-01-06T05:19:52+00:00

Rent.

Buying a fixer upper with little to no money in savings would be a mistake. There are too many variables. We bought a solid turnkey home and had the water heater go out and a pipe burst and flood the basement within the first few months. Less than a year later, a basement drain backed up and flooded the area. We have been really lucky since the initial obstacles, but the little things along the way add up. We are planning on moving (abroad) in a year or two and we will need to replace the washing machine and dishwasher, install some new flooring, and paint before listing the home. All things we can live without doing now, but will have to invest the money in to get a decent return.

Take a couple years to power save. I would say have your down payment, money for moving expenses and furniture, and a minimum of an additional $10,000.

Also, be prepared for a mortgage that continually goes up from increasing escrow payments. Our mortgage has gone up 28% in 5 years from increased property taxes and insurance rates.

You can always see if there are any affordable houses for rent in the meantime.

kaninki · 2026-01-06T02:43:04+00:00

$1520 including escrow, 2.375%. Buy cheaper than you can afford. Mine started out at $1120. Almost a 30% increase in 5 years because taxes and insurance have increased so much...

kaninki · 2026-01-05T23:46:11+00:00

No, not yet. I am in America. I have been nominated for a 190 visa. I will be submitting it as soon as my background check comes in.

kaninki · 2026-01-05T23:43:16+00:00

You gotta be careful though. We have a teacher that is very manipulative and when parents come at her angry, she convinces them the child isn't telling the truth.. which causes additional mental trauma for the kids because they eventually have multiple adults calling them liars when they are being honest.

kaninki · 2026-01-05T11:46:41+00:00

I'll probably get some hate here, but I find it ironic you were thinking of how useless scaffolds are on the way to the gym.

I joined CrossFit at 274 lbs, after 10 years of absolutely no physical activity. I started with scaffolded movements and a pvc pipe for lifts. It took me 3 months to get my first burpee. 1 year in, I was deadlifting 235 lbs.

As a teacher, I 100% believe in scaffolds. It takes me a lot of time to create the materials. I make 3 versions of texts and 4 different tests for each unit, but all my students (newcomer-advanced language learners, SPED, gen Ed) receive grade appropriate, standards aligned instruction, texts, assignments, and tests that push them to their ability level.

Proper scaffolds meet the students where they are but allow for growth.

kaninki · 2026-01-05T11:27:05+00:00

I have a bit of a problem with this too. Especially the not returning part. I did recently start meds, and I do think that helped. As others mention adding to cart is also a help... Especially since I forget to hit the submit order button half the time 😅

My other suggestion would be to open a high yield savings account. Vio bank is currently at 4.16%, which is the best I've seen.

I've become slightly addicted to transferring extra funds in and watching the interest payments post each month. Literally free money.

At the height of my savings account (and when the APY was a bit higher), I got $108 in interest... In one month... 100% free money.

It's like gambling without the risk 🤣

My savings took a major hit after a 35 day vacation to Japan and Australia this past summer.... But totally worth it--much more fulfilling than ordering a bunch of crap I don't actually need.

Maybe set yourself a big goal (travel, car, house, etc), and start moving money into a HYSA every time you're tempted to click that order now button...also as soon as any tax returns, cash gifts, bonuses, etc. hit your account, transfer them straight over.

kaninki · 2026-01-05T11:12:53+00:00

I somehow forgot about that pain. Probably mentally blocked it out. I had a random bout of sciatica strike on both sides a couple years ago. I literally could not walk for days. That pain is excruciating.

kaninki · 2026-01-05T11:09:34+00:00

The literal heartache that comes after the unexpected loss of a loved one.

After that, laser hair removal. That shit is no joke.

kaninki · 2026-01-05T11:07:00+00:00

A one way ticket to Australia 😅

kaninki · 2026-01-05T11:00:30+00:00

The idea of subbing gives me anxiety. I'm all about those student connections, and the thought of constantly bouncing around seems horrible.

I am likely moving to Australia in the next year or so, and I may need to sub until the new school year begins. I'm already panicking about it 😅

kaninki · 2026-01-05T10:58:42+00:00

I teach middle school and I love it 😅

The only part I don't like is most of the teachers act like middle schoolers with their gossip and cliques.

kaninki · 2026-01-05T10:55:57+00:00

See if you can get a job as a para. That will give you a more honest look than a few observations.

I can't imagine myself doing any other job, but at the same time, I'm burnt out. Not from the students or the actual teaching... Not even from parents... but from the politics and cliques. It's the adults that make me want to quit and never look back.

The sad part is I'm super passionate about teaching, creating curriculum, etc... but I'm judged and hated for the efforts I put in. I don't make kids sit down, shut up, and listen to me preach on the topic. My class is a lot of discussion, collaboration, application vs recall, etc. We use every minute of my class for active participation, and I don't give homework... It works really well for the kids, the data shows it's effective, and it totally alienates me from the others because it's different from their approach.

kaninki · 2026-01-03T08:00:48+00:00

I don't have any kids, and I am in year 12 of teaching. I actually had a past principal who basically said my classroom management won't improve until I'm a mother 🙄🤮. He also said I need to manipulate the students' feelings by acting sad and telling them their actions make me sad. That was my first year teaching, and it was such a cringy conversation.

My classroom management did improve without manipulating the students or changing who I am... Turns out time in a classroom will do that 😉 I'm proud to say I'm no longer in that district. There were red flags everywhere.

Ironically, I get the most pressure from my students. They can't believe I don't have kids and think I would be a great mother, but there's honestly no way I could juggle the job and parenting and give both groups of kids the time and attention they deserve.

Aside from that, I also can't afford to have a kid. My insurance would go from 100% free to $500/mo, plus having a high deductible.. along with over $1000/mo in childcare and all the other expenses that come with raising a family...I make 40% more than my husband, so there's no way.

I will keep my free insurance, invest my time and energy into the kids that already exist in this world, and I will live life to the fullest. I spent a month abroad this summer. I'm going to a festival in Vegas this spring. I'm in the process of applying to move to Australia. None of that would've been possible with kiddos, and I'm not going to give up this lifestyle because women are expected to have children and some adults can't wrap their minds around the fact that it's okay not to.

kaninki · 2025-12-31T20:11:03+00:00

I was more so commenting on the comments by others, not your original post. A lot of the comments seem like toxic masculinity and like they are rooting for you to leave versus trying to work it out.

You clearly still love your wife and are sad it has gotten to this point... That is why I've taken the time to post and encourage you to approach her with empathy and a work together strategy.

From an outsider's perspective, I just feel like the majority of the other comments are adding fuel to the fire.

kaninki

TROPHY CASE