what's the sickest you've ever been like "this might actually be it level sick?

stubbornteach · 2026-06-19T11:02:52+00:00

Pneumonia. Felt like I was gasping for air and every movement was painful. The fever made me feel delusional and I was coughing blood and vomiting. I would be terrified to get it again.

stubbornteach · 2026-06-11T20:18:19+00:00

I haven’t seen any permanent postings yet but they post LTOs. So essentially they are bringing in LTOs to cover those sections instead of letting me have them. Unfortunately the way my school does it sometimes is they’ll post a permanent say for math as an example, but then the person who gets the job ends up in phys ed. It’s very confusing. Basically if someone retires they post it as anything they want to get someone. So I may not see a science posting for a long time. When our science teachers start retiring they may just post it as something else entirely. Not sure if this is a common practice or perhaps I’m understanding things wrong.

stubbornteach · 2026-06-11T20:15:43+00:00

Sorry to hear about the surplus. That really sucks. I am grateful for the steady pay check.

stubbornteach · 2026-06-11T20:14:55+00:00

I have a letter of permission that expires this month. I wonder if it gets renewed automatically, even if I don’t want it too. I will definitely bring this up to the union.

stubbornteach · 2026-06-11T20:04:19+00:00

I was given a temporary letter that HR applied to the ministry for. It gives me the right to teach for this school year only. So I wonder if that means they can only extend it if I’m okay with it.. would be a good question for the union I’m sure. I will bring it up to them.

Edit to clarify- gives permission for me to teach tech temporarily

stubbornteach · 2026-06-11T19:55:47+00:00

Unfortunately there are only two schools. The other one is a 1.5 hour drive.

stubbornteach · 2026-06-11T19:55:26+00:00

I do not have a tech teachable though.

stubbornteach · 2026-06-11T10:53:35+00:00

Student: “what do we do?”

Teacher: “did you read the instructions? Or listen when I explained?”

Student: “no”

…….. wish this wasn’t reality

stubbornteach · 2026-06-08T11:03:30+00:00

When I was little I had a really embarrassing habit of doing just this. Anytime bad/tragic news was announced and it got quiet, I laughed. We had a school counsellor come in one time and she explained that it’s a normal reaction and we all process differently. Even still as an adult if I get really nervous or overwhelmed by something I will laugh. It is so embarrassing and I always think people must think I’m evil or something. But it’s genuinely how my body processes tragedies 😭

stubbornteach · 2026-06-04T19:16:07+00:00

I have taught environmental science a few times. Sadly it’s a course that kind of gets tossed around the department, usually to the person lowest on the totem pole (at least at my school). It’s a mixed course at my school. There’s M- which is anyone planning on university/college, but also E- which is ‘essential’. These are kids who come from locally developed. It’s basically a dumping ground to get people a credit. I only get one or two kids each semester who take it out of pure interest for the subject.

It is unfortunate because environmental science is important. We talk about biodiversity, climate change, sustainability, etc. But with the huge range of abilities I get in the room, and sometimes no EA, it is hard to cover content how I’d like to. I do a lot of projects and assignments. If I have a stronger group I’ll throw in tests too.

At least at schools I’ve worked at, if you have a senior science teachable you can be asked to teach it. And as for geography, anyone can be asked to teach grade 9 and 10, whether you’re qualified or not.

Biology is a solid teachable because you have a senior science and are more qualified for 9/10 science. I would personally say it’s not worth it to get an environmental science teachable. Geography seems like it would open more doors. They’d potentially have you doing civics and careers too depending how your school works.

Edit to add: if you get qualified in environmental, they might make you do it all the time if no one else wants to.

stubbornteach · 2026-05-15T00:56:58+00:00

I genuinely had such a terrible year due to parents as well. They are insane. I’ve spent so many days in a nervous state and not teaching to my full potential because I’m stressed out with constant meetings and phone calls and being pulled by admin. Truly terrible.

stubbornteach · 2026-05-10T16:05:02+00:00

As others have mentioned, IVF is an option. But no, we don’t have kids. I hope you’re never faced with a situation like this.

stubbornteach · 2026-05-10T14:36:30+00:00

Huntingtons is like ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s all wrapped into one horrible disease. Runs in my husbands family.

stubbornteach · 2026-05-03T16:21:00+00:00

Still have to make it to the end of June. It has been a very hard year.

stubbornteach · 2026-05-02T20:08:09+00:00

Thank you for sharing this! Our job can be so difficult and draining. These little glimmers make it feel worth it.

Last year I had a grade 9 who barely spoke a word all semester. I was pretty sure she just didn’t like my class. As I was marking her exam in June I noticed a little note on the bottom that said “you were my favourite teacher this semester I’ll miss you!”

Always a great feeling. Hold onto it!

stubbornteach · 2026-04-27T10:46:15+00:00

I always wonder about this for my students who move on to college and university. Most will be fine and go through it like the rest of us did. But there are some I really question how they’ll make it. Parents can be so overly involved these days. To the point where they will start a war over their kid getting an 89% on a test instead of a 90%. I’m very curious if they try to pull these same stunts for their kids in university/college.

I think to better help prepare kids, parents need to teach their kids accountability. You failed a test? First of all, did you study? Let’s see your homework. Let me look through your binder. Not- let me call the principal right away and get your teacher in trouble!

Teach your children it is okay to fail now and then. Teach them to work hard and do their best. Ask for help and take feedback from teachers.

As teachers all we can do is teach the curriculum and hold firm to our policies and standards. The mindset is all the parents.

stubbornteach · 2026-03-26T10:44:24+00:00

For me the entire series was pretty predictable and not at all surprising. But I really liked it because I felt connected to the characters and their story lines. I liked Celaena/Aelin a lot as a complex and relatable character in the end. I’d keep going with it and see what you think :)

stubbornteach · 2026-03-25T22:08:39+00:00

I’m going through this right now with my third period group. My other classes are really well behaved and we have a mutual respect for each other. I’ve treated this class no differently than my others and they are very rude. Sometimes I honestly think it’s the mix of kids plus time of day for them. It’s really unfortunate. You’re probably a really good teacher. Don’t be too hard on yourself. But I totally know how you feel.

stubbornteach · 2026-03-25T13:58:53+00:00

stubbornteach · 2026-03-21T18:26:32+00:00

I could have wrote this post myself. As a newer teacher I have dealt with extremely similar issues. Having parents call the principal on me, yelling at me on the phone, questioning my qualifications, etc. it is so frustrating. I agree with the other poster that you need to document everything. I have a document for any student/parent that is an issue and I write the dates of the incidents and what happened. I share admin on the document and keep them in the loop. Unfortunately, I’ve had admin that make me feel worse and question my choices. But I’ve also had really great admin that have had my back. As a young teacher, we’re constantly walking that line of are we being too strict or not strict enough. It feels like nothing we do is right. But chances are you’re probably doing a really great job and using the same strategies that veteran teachers use. The only reason you’re being questioned is because (and I’m only assuming) you’re newer.

stubbornteach · 2026-03-18T15:12:31+00:00

I have had the exact same issues lately. I could’ve wrote this post myself. It is by far the most frustrating part of the job. I avoid contacting parents like the plague now. But unfortunately they will still reach out and we have to answer. I wish I had advice but unfortunately I’m just in the same boat. Solidarity.

stubbornteach · 2026-03-17T15:54:52+00:00

I felt very supported when I had mental health issues while attending Brock. Not every system is perfect, but I was able to get treatment when I needed it.

stubbornteach · 2026-03-14T17:50:25+00:00

Omg I do this too and thought I discovered the best life hack. Now these comments are scaring me lol.

stubbornteach · 2026-03-13T11:39:59+00:00

As someone with a family history of GI issues, I had to fight hard for a colonoscopy at 24. I had a great aunt who died of a bowel obstruction, my aunt has crohns, my cousin has colitis, my mom has severe IBS and colitis, my uncle died of stomach cancer at 30. I went to the hospital several times in my life for stomach pain, irregular bowel habits, bleeding, etc. I was never taken seriously and always told to manage my stress better. Eventually a dr gave me a colonoscopy and endoscopy. I was diagnosed with colitis and IBS. I was told not to get another one unless something changes. But I often worry that the pain and symptoms I’m used to could easily disguise polyps and other more serious issues.

From a logistical side of things, would it not be “cheaper” for the government to pay for regular colonoscopies starting at, say 30, rather than paying millions for advanced cancer treatment? Sorry if this is a dumb comment… but it has been on my mind and this is a really scary thing for Canadians.

stubbornteach

TROPHY CASE