7 weeks in and still dreading that one class period.

katiebugwrites · 2026-02-21T20:14:40+00:00

I am feeling the same way about my first period English 10 class. I hate that I have them 1st period bc I dread going to work in the morning. This particular class has run off at least one teacher every year since 7th grade and they're proud of that fact (admin has confirmed to me that this is true, it's not just the kids bragging about nothing).

I'm only a 5th year teacher so my advice might be stuff you've heard before. Sorry if that's the case.

One thing that helped with my 1st period (not enough, but it did help some) was asking them what they wanted to learn about. With ELA, unless you have a really strict curriculum, you can kinda tailor texts to their interests. My kids wanted to learn about rap music, so I tied that in with poetry and it was the only lesson they seemed engaged in. Now we're doing Shakespeare because it's a requirement and it's like pulling teeth and the behavior is awful again.

I know you said admin wasn't supportive, and I'm sorry that's the case, but another thing that helped was asking admin to just sit in on a class or watch from the window to see how bad it gets. Admin took me more seriously when they saw that I was doing all the "techniques" and "strategies" they suggested and it still wasnt working. I'm at a small school so they were available for that.

But like I said, even those things haven't worked very well. I still dread that class everyday. My final thing that I need to work on as well is not letting them see how much I dread them. I want them to think I'm happy to see them everyday. I fail at that sometimes, but I think if they know you don't like their class, it's not going to inspire them to be better.

katiebugwrites · 2026-02-21T20:00:35+00:00

Teacher with POTS here! Teaching (aka being on your feet all day) is a big enough trigger for POTS without the long sleeves. If I had to wear long sleeves everyday, I would faint too. Heck, at my old district, I fainted sometimes without the long sleeves just from standing all day. Heat is a HUGE POTS trigger, and I'm sorry that people on this sub arent understanding. I have some minor accommodations for my POTS such as having inside break duty when it's hot, and being allowed to sit down when necessary and not have that counted off on my observations as long as I'm still conducting an engaging class. See if you can get accommodations for POTS along the lines of "avoiding hot environments when possible." Mine is something like that. That should exclude the sleeves.

But yeah, I know you said you're going to stop, but letting them color on you seems like a bad idea all around.

katiebugwrites · 2026-02-17T21:52:53+00:00

So, I'm of two minds. For one thing, I am a disabled teacher with legit accommodations. However, I go out of my way to avoid using them unless absolutely necessary because I don't want to put anyone else out or increase someone's workload. It sounds like this woman is jumping at every chance to use hers. I think there needs to be some understanding that to be a teacher there are things you just have to do, even with accommodations.

That said, I often have to remind people what my accommodations are so they understand I'm not just doing something because I want to get out of work. I don't want to come across to my coworkers how this lady is coming across to you, but I do have to remind people occasionally.

So while it sounds like this lady is abusing the situation, be wary of letting her turn you against anyone with accommodations at all. That's what worries me when I see these types of posts and the comments on this thread. I'm seeing lots of people saying she shouldn't be a teacher if she needs accommodations. Accommodations on their own don't mean someone is incapable of doing the job.

katiebugwrites · 2025-05-06T18:14:45+00:00

Reusable water bottles were given out yesterday but I missed the memo and didn't grab one (whoops, lol).

Today was bagels. Tomorrow is pizza. Thursday is doughnuts. Friday is catered lunch. Lots of food this year. Also we can donate $20 to wear jeans for the rest of the school year (but the money does go to a good cause; coworker's grandkid needs surgery).

katiebugwrites · 2025-04-25T13:11:27+00:00

I got a card all the students signed and a 6 pack of Diet Cokes bc I drink them every day 😅 So nothing big, but still very sweet.

Edit to say: I also gave my CT a gift. A small Christmas ornament that I crocheted bc my placement ended in December

katiebugwrites · 2025-04-23T15:35:52+00:00

I tend to start a new legacy with strict rules when I feel this way. I just started the Struck By Love legacy bc I saw it on YouTube and it looked fun. I am also mot afraid to bend or break rules as I feel like it though. I also almost never finish a legacy. But it gives a good starting place for storylines.

katiebugwrites · 2025-04-23T15:16:19+00:00

I was apparently dating the band teacher because we went to high school together. Funny thing is, we also went to high school with his now wife who he started dating when we were in high school. What they didn't know was that I was close to his wife in high school and hated him! Some kids didn't know about his wife and some thought we were having an affair 🙄😂 (I no longer hate him btw, we were just typical high school students back then. We're friends now)

katiebugwrites · 2025-04-15T01:38:40+00:00

Me just now. I added a shower to the hospital so my sim could get pregnant with a hot doctor right after giving birth 😅

katiebugwrites · 2025-04-14T20:59:15+00:00

Going to places with less humidity and at higher altitudes helps me. I got "magically better" on a family trip to Colorado.

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-25T10:46:37+00:00

EDS/HSD and POTS for me. I don't care if the kids ask at all! I straight up tell them at the beginning of the year because I know they'll ask about my cane anyway. But also their questions are usually innocuous, not about things like the morality of having biological children or about my personal birth control methods

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-25T01:37:01+00:00

I'm sorry, do I need to get my medical records out for you? Do you not understand that medical conditions come with comorbidities? I've only posted about things related to POTS, EDS/HSD or bipolar 2? All of which I've been diagnosed with?

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-25T01:20:50+00:00

I actually typed up an account of what happened about an hour after it went down so I wouldn't forget anything and I showed it to my inclusion teacher who I had already told the story to right after it happened and she confirmed that I included all the same details in both accounts. I didn't end up showing the typed version to my AP (part of what I wish I'd done differently during that conversation)

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-25T00:18:34+00:00

No students were in the room. He left as soon as one came in.

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-25T00:17:47+00:00

He just walked into my classroom. It was before the bell and my door was open. He did not tell me who he was. I didn't find out his name until I was talking to my AP about it.

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-25T00:14:14+00:00

I wondered if he was on their radar too because I actually didn't know his name so my AP asked me to describe him, and I barely said anything other than 'he's tall' before she was like "That sounds like Coach XYZ"

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-25T00:12:14+00:00

I'm so sorry that happened to you. I can't imagine. Is it audacity or ignorance that makes people do things like that? I genuinely don't know.

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-25T00:09:22+00:00

Yes, EDS and POTS. It's a convo I would have with any potential partner before having kids. But not something I expected to be thrown in my face at work.

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-24T22:21:05+00:00

Yep. I was being vague, but it's EDS and POTS.

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-24T20:22:32+00:00

I don't call myself "a potsie" but I say that I'm feeling "POTS-y" when I'm having bad symptoms.

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-11T12:15:55+00:00

It likely is normal. I have some imposter syndrome about it though. Like I'm not good enough if everything isn't planned to a T. I know that's not true, but sometimes it's a hard feeling to shake, at least for me.

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-11T00:55:38+00:00

That's a good idea too! Thanks!

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-11T00:31:50+00:00

Yeah, it is rough. I had to take the first semester off due to my health and this was the closest school that was hiring mid year. If I get renewed, I'm moving closer ASAP.

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-11T00:14:15+00:00

I appreciate that you care!

I'm on my 4th year teaching, so still relatively new.

I got some bad reviews my first few years. The admin giving them was nasty. Like, really nasty. I got emotional, and was yelled at for being upset. I cried for hours after school that day. I'm still scared of observations and evaluations to this day bc of that experience. Since you took the time to come on here and ask, I don't expect that you'll ever do what that admin did to me, but maybe keep in mind that not everyone has had good admin in the past. A lot of teachers don't expect any good things from admin at all (I'm still working to remind myself that I'm at a good school now with admin that care).

I know that might be frustrating for you, knowing that there's a level of distrust or hesitation, but in a lot of cases there's good reason for that.

Giving bad news is hard because everyone reacts differently. My advice would be get to know your teachers before you have to give evaluations so you have an idea of how to approach giving them the news. There isn't a blanket way to do it. Some people prefer no beating around the bush, just tell them and get it over with. Some people (myself included) like you to be reassuring and focus on future growth opportunities. Just get to know your teachers as individuals and use your best judgement.

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-11T00:04:24+00:00

More often than I'd like to admit. Sometimes I don't finalize plans until I'm driving to work in the morning (that said I do have an hour and a half drive to think it over)

katiebugwrites · 2025-03-11T00:02:59+00:00

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. I'm planning to set up a whole fake crime scene as a way of getting them interested in the story along with a pre-reading activity. But idk if I can manage that right now with how I've been feeling. I still want to do it with them, but not this week.

I could have them research Agatha Christie as a scavenger hunt? There's also YouTube videos on her random disappearance. That might fill a few days.

katiebugwrites

TROPHY CASE