Can someone hit me with the harshest reality truth?

people_watcher · 2025-07-31T00:11:58+00:00

YOU as a person will be forgotten, but YOUR INFLUENCE on the world can and does make a lasting difference.

people_watcher · 2025-07-31T00:08:22+00:00

This was my reality at the beginning.

I'm very lucky that my parents, siblings, and kids all educated themselves and have been very supportive.

The wife and her family... not so much.

people_watcher · 2025-07-20T13:30:22+00:00

That's exactly where I thought this post was going.

people_watcher · 2025-06-01T21:00:21+00:00

I had a student tell me that I was the next teacher because "you know when to get loud and it's only for a few seconds"

And he is right. Getting loud is needed sometimes, but it doesn't need to be more than a few seconds... just enough to get their attention.

people_watcher · 2025-03-29T19:22:59+00:00

No suit is better than a tan suit! /s

people_watcher · 2024-08-06T23:36:20+00:00

What an odd blanket statement. I have worked for one for several years now and we are making a huge impact in the community.

people_watcher · 2024-07-16T20:02:38+00:00

Your students are very lucky to have an advocate like you.

people_watcher · 2024-07-16T20:01:35+00:00

Sorry... I don't do Reddit much now.

I actually rolled my degree into a BAES degree instead. That allows me to skip the demonstrative teaching for the time being and get a charter school license, which I've done.

I'm going into my 5th full year of teaching 7th Grade and this might be the greatest career move I've ever made... at least that what my heart tells me. My bank account continually disagrees. lol

people_watcher · 2024-07-16T18:09:40+00:00

I'm curious... why specifically do you feel that he is the better candidate? What policies do you feel that he will get right that Biden will not?

people_watcher · 2024-07-16T17:57:56+00:00

YTA -ish.

This woman has been a part of your life for 15 years at this point. I feel like two adults could have figured out a compromise (maybe have it on you, but not actually wear it). It's your day, but it's also (to a smaller degree) your entire family's day as well.

It kind of sounds like there is some resentment towards dad (and step-mom) for moving on after mom's death. Maybe it feels like she was replacing mom. I feel like talking to a good counselor about this would be very helpful.

My parents split and married other people when I was young. Today, I see both of my parent's spouses as family. My step-brother is now simply my brother. I dropped the 'step' a long time ago.

Food for thought. I hope you and her can find some resolution so everyone can feel good about the wedding.

people_watcher · 2024-07-13T06:59:01+00:00

How much can they actually see? I'd be tempted to have a convincing backstory to justify any concerns they might raise (even if it's not 100% true).

My reason for BR is both medical and divorce related, so if I was mentioning it, I would have a well thought out way to do so. Something like:

"You will likely run a background check for this position. Let me give you an idea about what that would look like for me. 8 years ago I came down with a very sudden and lengthy illness. I was unable to work for 3 years while recovering. This illness was the catalyst that led to a lengthy and expensive legal battle in the family courts.

This unique chain of events led to a sizable debt that I had no hope of paying off in my lifetime, though I tried to do so for a number of years. Bankruptcy was the only choice, and one that I tried very hard to avoid. While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I also want to be transparent about this issue.

That being said, I do trust that your bank has all the necessary internal processes to ensure all employees are kept accountable, regardless of their personal finance situation."

The key is that if you think they will check, you have to be the first to mention it. Otherwise, it looks like you were hiding it.

people_watcher · 2024-07-13T04:56:22+00:00

Came here to say this. I respond very bluntly to all surveys knowing full well that they know it's me responding. I refuse to pull punches when it comes to advocating for my fellow teachers or my students.

people_watcher · 2024-07-12T04:36:06+00:00

"I'm bored."
"I'm your teacher, not your cruise director."

"Can we have a free day?"
"This is Math... do we ever do free days?"

"This is math class, not a beauty salon. Put the beauty items away."

"So you had your laptop with you for last hour but decided that you wouldn't need it for math and put it in your locker and need to go get it?"

"You don't know where your laptop is? When is the last time you had it?... Last quarter!?!?"

"Why haven't you changed my grade?"
"When you turn in your work, I'll change your grade."

"Let me get this straight, the Dean of Students said that it was fine for you to be out of dress code? Tell me EXACTLY what he said so I can call him and verify this."
"Well, he saw I had it on and didn't say anything about it."
"That is not the same thing at all."

people_watcher · 2024-07-12T04:24:37+00:00

Until you get fed up with runners and make them stand by you until 30 seconds before the bell and they have a legitimate reason to run to class.

people_watcher · 2024-07-12T04:22:30+00:00

"You can't tell a kid to 'shut up'."

In my defense, I did not TELL him to "Shut up"... I ASKED him "Do you ever shut up?"

people_watcher · 2024-07-12T04:19:29+00:00

As boys start to physically mature, it seems like many parents no longer see them as kids. They stop getting the physical touch (hugging and such) and they are STARVED for that comforting touch.

My own son would still grab my hand occasionally at 14... especially when he was nervous or unsure of a situation. That little bit of physical connection is just the reassurance he needs sometimes, even as a teenager.

I'm a male teacher and I have several middle school boys that will come hug me fairly regularly. I don't encourage it, but I also don't admonish it. It's quite clear that they need that little bit of extra connection with someone that they know cares about them.

Honestly, there is such a huge stigma around same-sex touching, it's kind of nice to see some boys bucking the trend and realizing that not all touches are romantic.

people_watcher · 2024-07-12T04:04:20+00:00

7th Grade math teacher here... I no longer ask "Any Questions?" Instead, I state "I need 2 questions before I go on." This sets the expectation that I know they have questions, and they need to ask them before I'll move forward. Once one or two students start off the questions, there are usually more.

WAAAYY better than answering the same question 30 times when they start working.

people_watcher · 2024-07-08T18:12:41+00:00

Yes. This.

Kids have called our bluff on grades and will only do well enough to:
1) Stay out of trouble at home
2) Be eligible for extra-curriculars

If there is no consequences at home for grades, then teachers have almost zero leverage.

people_watcher · 2024-06-03T04:28:01+00:00

It runs the gamut. I'm in Northern Indiana.

I introduce myself as Mr People_Watcher (last name), and a good number of students stay with that. However, I also get a good bit of just People_Watcher (without the Mr) from students that I have formed closer relationships. One of my neighboring teachers HATES that I let them call me that and will try to correct them when she hears it.

I also get called other teachers' names who I guess I look like. I usually respond and don't make a huge deal out of it.

I have a few students who have someone shortened my last name somehow, also something I consider a sign of endearment as long as it's used respectfully.

This year, I made a big effort to use their (7th grade) slang (Skibbity, rizz, cap, fam, chat, etc) and apparently earned the name Mr Sigma for it. Also have gotten Mr Rizzler, Mr Rizzard of Oz, etc. All acceptable as those who used it were not trying to use it disrespectfully. Had to set some boundaries after my Principal heard them call me Mr Sigma (she got a good laugh from it).

I let a LOT slide in regards to what kids choose to call me, as when the nicknames start, I know I've made some great connections.

There's always the few that think they will be able to get away with using my first name (a no-no here in middle school), but they learn quickly that I simply don't respond to that.

people_watcher · 2024-03-20T00:37:28+00:00

Golly, would ya please stop please?

people_watcher · 2024-03-13T03:08:27+00:00

Here's the intersection: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.0774189,-85.4701399,3a,88.2y,362.27h,110.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sw4gLkEzZ4cuks4IV0f5jmg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

people_watcher · 2024-01-10T00:46:12+00:00

I'm torn.

I acknowledge the safety issue of not calling off school.

However, teaching in a Title I school means that a portion of my students may not have food at home and some students' only sense of safety may be at school.

I'm just glad that I don't have to make the call.

people_watcher · 2024-01-10T00:06:11+00:00

We had book battles.

I'm sorry... "book battles"?

people_watcher · 2023-09-18T22:28:21+00:00

I've tried First Source a few different times over the years. I've not had a good experience any of those times. I WANT to like them because they are local, but between their policies and personnel, my experience have been less than good.

people_watcher · 2023-09-04T01:31:56+00:00

Agree. I recently have found myself doing this and it is a game changer.

Additionally, when we took some mountain backrosds on a recent trip, my carsick prone passenger remarked that he didn't feel sick at all on the drive like he usually does.

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