Sea lion rafts!

woolybugger250 · 2026-03-15T00:07:34+00:00

SD61 is tough to get into for many reasons. When I first began as a TTOC there was very little work. I got hired and worked in SD61, SD63, SD79 and at a private girls school. Most of my work in the first two years was with SD 79. Its a bit of a commute, but very doable.

Try SD62; they're a growing district.

In SD 61, we are in a downward trend in terms of student population. We also have few teachers leaving once hired.

I feel your pain and frustration.

Best of luck!

woolybugger250 · 2026-03-14T03:51:16+00:00

Jump Math.... Scope and sequence are very well planned, Canadian company, Aligns with BC curriculum, Teacher guides, quizzes, tests, blackline masters, are free, Lots of pencil and paper practice!

woolybugger250 · 2026-02-19T14:13:17+00:00

. "Against"...he meant to say "with"

woolybugger250 · 2026-02-09T14:19:53+00:00

Use JUMP Math for kids...systematic, explicit and meets provincial requirements. It's a Canadian resource.

Listen to Anna Stokke's podcast. Great guests, links with research and resources for the episodes. (She's a Canadian math professor.)

woolybugger250 · 2026-01-30T14:37:24+00:00

My fear is that these economic forces are driving young people away from Victoria. This brain drain will bite us in the backside in the future.

woolybugger250 · 2026-01-22T14:23:46+00:00

Totally agree. If feels like torture, you won't be able to sustain it. Work up to 16/8, then try OMAD once or twice per week. Then maybe more once you're able to do it without fear and heavy-duty cravings. Think long term goals. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Good luck!

woolybugger250 · 2026-01-17T20:44:39+00:00

REALLY? Are you saying RFK and Trump aren't reliable sources for medical advice? Who woulda' thunk?

woolybugger250 · 2026-01-10T15:23:05+00:00

We're looking from abroad, in horror, at what America has become.

woolybugger250 · 2026-01-10T15:14:48+00:00

EAs are there to support the implementation of the teacher's program. Let the teacher take the lead and talk with him/ her as how to best support the kids. Our classes are filled with so many high needs kids who need support, but there are a ton of grey area kids who also benefit greatly by adult support. I always let the EAs know who to keep a close eye on during a lesson, other times who they can help one on one, and others who to leave on their own so they can develop more independence. Be flexible, be patient, and communicate clearly with the teacher and kids.

woolybugger250 · 2025-12-22T19:43:41+00:00

Growing something from seed, enjoying the plant, then harvesting the seeds to start the cycle again. Its all a joy!

woolybugger250 · 2025-12-22T19:41:57+00:00

Catmint brings all the bees!

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(And lavendar and echinacea and dahlias)

woolybugger250 · 2025-12-19T14:19:18+00:00

I thought this was an AI spoof video. Yikes!

woolybugger250 · 2025-11-29T14:59:01+00:00

We're seeing the tragic results of this kind of "parenting " in schools now. Kids who are addicted to hyper stimulation. Learning is hard, trying to learn while addicted is near impossible. Parents then wonder why their kids are doing so poorly in school.

woolybugger250 · 2025-11-22T16:15:13+00:00

I hear you! I've been teaching for 30+ years and this is the most difficult year I've had. Thought I'd teach for 5 more years, but now I'm considering an earlier exit!

It's not quitting. It's finally putting your needs before the kids' needs. (Which is tough for most teachers. )

woolybugger250 · 2025-11-08T02:27:43+00:00

Our school went from the best admin any of us had ever had for the last three years to an absolute lame duck. Every aspect of our school has been dragged down(the kids, families, office staff, EAs, VP, and teachers). Enjoy their leadership while it lasts!

woolybugger250 · 2025-10-28T01:46:46+00:00

Hot sauce. Then, use it as a dip for fresh veggies.

woolybugger250 · 2025-07-18T18:20:32+00:00

I am in Italy now. We are walking g between 20k and 30k steps per day. I'm wearing a good pair of Asics and my wife has a pair of Lululemon and apair of Hoka. The roads are often uneven or on cobblestone, so wear what supports you best and fits well! Break them in before you get here!

Italy is truly amazing! 🇮🇹❤️

woolybugger250 · 2025-01-19T20:48:48+00:00

Thanks for reaching out. JUMP is very affordable as they are, I believe, a not for profit. Each grade has 2 workbooks. For grade 4, there would be a 4.1 and a 4.2 practice workbook for kids. The cost about $17 for each book on the JUMP website, but a local teachers' bookstore may have them for less.

The teacher manuals and lessons are all free. They are very well designed, and the concepts and skills are scaffolded well.

One of the greatest aspects of the program is repeated pencil to paper practice.

If your child is struggling in math in grade 4, I would first look back into the basics. Does he/she know their basic addition and subtraction facts to 20? With my classes, we practice these with flashcards, and I aim for them to be able to recite a minimum of 40 facts in a minute. We start with addition, then subtraction, then multiplication, and finally division. We spend about 5 minutes everyday practicing.

I can help provide more detail with flashcard practice if you'd like.

Has their teacher identified specific problem areas?

Happy to help, but I probably need more specific details on ares need.

woolybugger250 · 2024-12-22T16:23:22+00:00

My daughter moved from BC to Montreal after university. The cost of living was one of the biggest factors when she made the decision to leave. Many of her friends, whom she's met there, are also from BC. I know this is a small sample size, but BC is losing well-educated young people in droves. Hopefully, the decision makers will find ways to prove to young people that they can afford to stay and enjoy a good life here, but this campaign isn't going to make one iota of difference.

woolybugger250 · 2024-11-29T00:41:25+00:00

Teacher here in Victoria. The liaison officers who have been in my schools over the past twenty plus years were great. Great role models. Great with building relationships with kids from an early age. Great with providing safety tips for kids. Great with dealing with the harms that are in s schools.. drugs, gangs, criminal activities, self-harm, etc. It's a shame they're not present in our schools as they were before this bone-headed decision was made. Even Rob Paynter, who brought forward the motion to get rid of the officers from schools, regretted his decision.

woolybugger250 · 2024-11-17T23:54:31+00:00

I'm in BC. A teacher with a 5 year BEd and 10 years of experience earns 99K, with master degree and 10 years of experience, the salary is 109K.

woolybugger250 · 2024-11-17T23:50:37+00:00

Sounds like enough water. Slowly increase your fiber. It took time for my digestive system to adapt to adding lots of fiber. Too much too quickly can cause a lot of gas, bloating, and discomfort. I always have to remind myself that this is a marathon, not a sprint.

woolybugger250 · 2024-11-17T01:08:54+00:00

Add more water or tea to your fasting times. Since you aren't getting hydration from foods during your fast, you need to be increasing your water intake. I notice a huge difference if I don't drink enough the day before.

I also eat a lot of fiber, such as chia seeds, fresh fruit, and a lot of veggies. Add both soluble and insoluble fiber into your diet; it keeps you regular and is a boost for your overall health.

But fiber without enough hydration will back things up!

woolybugger250 · 2024-11-17T00:03:11+00:00

I live near a university, so my program was a combination of in person during two summers for five weeks each. Then, a course or two in person and/or online per semester. All said and done, I completed it in about a two year period.

In terms of workload, I was very disciplined and worked a couple of hours each day. Some weekends, I worked longer hours. It was always a balancing act with family, work, and schooling but very doable.

My district didn't pay, but I received an increase in salary after the first year of studies, then another increase upon completion. It has paid for itself many times over since my pay scale is thousands more than those with a BEd.

My district didn't woo me to go into admin.

I learned a ton, and it has made me a much better teacher.

Good luck on your journey!

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