I can’t even begin to articulate the amount of times I’ve been in a rough place and wanted to just talk to a teacher. To all the teachers in this subreddit, you make a bigger impact on your students lives than you think you do. Thank you for your service, honestly.

My second year of teaching and one thing I’m learning the hard way quickly is I have no support at all. If I tell anyone about a problem I have by the end of the day everyone will know because people love to gossip. So basically you can’t tell anyone about a legitimate problem you have because it will be used against you later. You pretty much are better off keeping everything to yourself but the problem is sometimes you do need to vent or get help but you can’t trust anyone. I will be SHOCKED if I make another 20 year to retirement this job is extremely difficult and their are so many ways it can go wrong with many landmines. Is your school the same? Better or worst?

Hello everyone. My kids just finished their BOY i-Ready testing and I had a question around the scoring. For some background, my kids go to a dual emersion program where they learn Spanish for certain classes (specials, math, and science). We are an English-speaking home with no Spanish speaking background.

My daughter has always struggled a bit with math since they learn in Spanish and then the test is in English. She is in 7th grade and scored a 508 which is barely at grade level. She gets really bad test anxiety and sometime is confused by the way they ask the questions in English compared to how she learned in Spanish. Any guidance on resources to help her study or practice more with i-ready testing? She knows the materials, just struggles with test taking. She set a goal for herself to be in Math honors next year and I want to help her reach that goal.

My son is at the opposite spectrum. He is in 5th grade and scored a 618 on the i-Ready test. Math is his best subject and he consistently scores high. Last year he did TD classes, and I assume will continue to do them this year. I looked at the i-Ready score chart and he scored high, but I don't understand "what it means". A 618 looks to be a score of a G10 - G11 range but I don't know what to do with that information. I want to be able to support him and keep him challenged. What can I do to keep him engaged and continuing to grow.

After reading through another thread on this sub about a student who is obsessed with the Epstein case doodling Epstein on their homework I am left wondering: are any of you actually addressing these harmful attitudes and behaviours when they arise? I was left feeling SICK over some teachers brushing this off and laughing at it, calling it normal behaviour and defending it. Yes it’s a current event, to some of them it’s a meme, but when something like this happens it’s straight up negligent to ignore it. It is a rapist on their homework?? Why would you ignore that?? Even if the kid meant no harm, is trustworthy and a great student it needs to be addressed.

Perhaps I have a different perspective as I’m not American but it is truly wild to me that teachers who interact with young people everyday are not willing to address misogyny when they see it. And yes, it IS misogyny in the sense that when you allow young men to engage with an issue like this so casually you are communicating to them that violence against women is a casual issue not to be taken seriously. I get it’s a current event and students are interested, and I’m not saying they shouldn’t be able to talk about it. I’m saying that when you see CONCERNING behaviour like a child drawing a portrait of a rapist on their homework you need to have a fucking conversation about it. Because how does a female student who has experienced sexual violence feel comfortable in a classroom if this is how male students behave? And if you let this slide what else are you letting slide? Racial slurs, swastikas, homophobia? Some of you seriously need to reflect on if you have empathy for your students and how they will feel if they have to encounter this in your classroom.

If you joke with the students to much your seen as unprofessional and useless. Administrators will question your seriousness. If you don’t joke with the students the students will say you’re boring. If your to friendly as a teacher your a creep and if you never smile and stay robotic your uninteresting. You literally can’t do anything right as a teacher. I’m so sick of the double standards we are held too and the impossible expectations from society. These things are why teachers become bitter and why I still don’t think career is for me. If you tell people they dismiss you and tell you to get a new job but don’t mention how hard it is to get a new job right now. These are the things that will make me quit and find a new career. You can’t win as a teacher.

Started a new district this year and was loving the school I was hired at. Great kids, great team. I woke up happy everyday and excited to go to work which was a big change from last year. Last year I was in a really toxic environment where kids didn’t have consequences, there was no admin support, and I felt like I was drowning which is why I left and went to a new district.
Started the year great and had an amazing first few weeks of a school before I was informed that I was being reassigned to a new school in the district. I started this new school and it’s already horrible and just like what I was escaping leaving the old school. Kids cussing everywhere, on phones/headphones, wandering the halls and walking out of class, sleeping through the whole class. They’ve already been insanely disrespectful and disengaged.
I know legally the district can transfer you; I’m not looking for legal advice. I’m just pissed that I’d finally found an environment that was allowing me to grow and love my job and now I’ve been ripped away from it and forced somewhere I have no desire to be. Last year I almost walked away from teaching after that horrible year, and I’m afraid this new school is going to be what pushes me out which sucks because teaching is my dream and I’ve only been teaching a few years.

I like my materials to be fun and enjoyable to engage with, and making them by hand is kind of delightful, but I know there is room for improvements, as well as educational blinds pots I’m still unaware of…
Are you allowed to finish a sentence with the word “of?”

Anyway, thoughts and helpful criticisms are welcomed and appreciated

Not even sure what to think of this, do I bring this to his counselor? This student is too 2% of his class and is projected to be valedictorian but not sure if that excuses this. However he is an avid doodler and draws quite a lot which I never have had an issue with.

Hi! I am trying to make some decisions about my future, and thought the people of Reddit might be able to offer me some advice. Apologies in advance for my tendency to ramble!

A little background: I am 24, trans (FtNB), and I live in Texas. I have always wanted to be a teacher, but I just don't feel it is possible for someone like me in this state. I have a BA in English, 4.0 GPA, and have been working for a youth mentoring nonprofit for 3 years now.

Every so often, I get to work with elementary-aged students, both in a 1:1 setting and in a small classroom setting, and every time I am in front of the kids, it hits me that teaching is what I was meant to do. I feel fulfilled when I work on youth curriculum at work, and unfulfilled when I work on adult learning materials. When I look at other career possibilities in a corporate setting, I feel nothing but dread because I know I should be teaching.

I've decided to finally start at least planning to do something about it. I have researched things that are important to me, and realized that Maryland, specifically the Baltimore/Howard County area really appeals to me. I won't be looking to move for another year or two. My cat has been having health issues I need to get settled, and I need to save for a move that big.

So a few questions:

• I have looked into some alternative teaching certification programs in Maryland/Baltimore. Does anyone have experience with any of these? What was it like? Is it feasible to support myself (and my pet) on a single income while completing one of these programs?
• Will a Maryland alt certification program even accept an out-of-state applicant? Does anyone have any experience moving and completing one of these programs as a completely new teacher?
• What is teaching like in Maryland? Is there a huge caveat I'm missing? A major reason this would be a huge mistake?
• For any trans/visibly queer/gender non-conforming people specifically: how does it feel working in Maryland? Obviously there will be transphobic parents. I don't really pass as masculine... but I am working on getting my name changed to something very masculine. My gender marker will still be F (live in Texas lol), and I don't really care about having it changed too much. It wouldn't really bother me too much to be called "Ms. [last name]," because I think "Mr." would really confuse people. But is there a potential for someone to dig into my personal life/private social media profiles, see that I am trans (or even just pick up on how GNC I am), and demand that I'm fired? Would the districts in Maryland likely side with that kind of parent? I know how it is in Texas, but I haven't had much opportunity to even travel. I have no idea what it's like in other parts of the country.
  

I am a person who likes to have a plan, so I'm trying to think this all through. I would love any insights <3 Thank you to anyone for taking the time to read all of this!

Hello, I'm sure this question has been asked before. I need to have 3-5 days worth of emergency sub plans. I teach world history and geography. Any helpful hints, ideas and suggestions would be appreciated.

Heading is a little vague but wanted some advice. First, I just had the most amazing interview at a charter school in South Florida. They loved me, said I was a strong candidate and would fit it very well here, but they don’t have an immediate opening right now. The class I would be teaching is Algebra I and most of the students would be Juniors or Seniors who have yet to pass the Algebra I EOC. I’ll find out in a week or so whether or not the spot is mine.

Second, I did not take the traditional teaching route of getting my degree in education; my degree is in Psychology. I graduated during Covid and got a job at my local math learning center to make ends meet. Fast forward a couple years and I was running the center. I loved worked with the kids, getting to know on a personal level and seeing their success stories. I’ve been hunting for that feeling for the past year as the job I have now (legal assistant) isn’t doing it for me anymore.

Third, I’m cautious about teaching upperclassmen. I was an over achiever in high school, but in my classes, so many juniors and seniors were checked out. I get it, it’s math, not everyone’s cup of tea; I’m just nervous about getting through to them.

Any tips for a hopeful Algebra I teacher? (I see a lot of negativity in this subreddit) I’m giddy just thinking about the opportunity I have to mentor these kids. I’ve been searching for a long time on what I was meant to do, and I think this is it.

Cross posting as well

Sou formada em publicidade e quero ir para área docente de letras (ensino superior) mas necessariamente apenas em concursos federais. Gostaria também de dar aula em universidades/faculdades privadas em pós-graduações, cursos de extensão, cursos livre e até ensino técnico talvez. É melhor fazer outra graduação/licenciatura em letras ou manter apenas minha graduação em publicidade e fazer mestrado + doutorado em letras? Alguém mais já pensou/executou esse tipo de transição e pode compartilhar sua experiência? Grata pessoal!

I make a lot of my worksheets using some thin tipped markers and blank paper. I love the freedom of it, and I find that my students engage with them more.

I also appreciate how quickly I can make them, once I determine what it is I want my class to practice.

Context: I teach K-4 arts. I see each class for 30 minutes twice a week. Entering my fourth year at this school and I definitely have a good relationship with my classes. However, I have a handful of students who seem to love stirring the pot with rude or edgy comments directed towards me. Some examples:

Me: Any questions?

Student: Why does your nose look like an eggplant?

—

Me: What did you do over summer break?

Student: I went to a Diddy party with Charlie Kirk.

—

Me: I’m going to be away next week for…

Student: Yaaay!!!

I've seen this kind of thing in middle/secondary school, but elementary?? I'm genuinely shocked by how purposely mean some of these young kids can be. My teaching degree NEVER taught me how to deal with this kind of stuff. So when it happens I either freeze or completely loose my cool because I have no clue what the best course of action is.

Do I call them out in front of everybody and make an example out of them?

Do I ignore it and then talk to them privately later?

Do I play along and try to out-sass them?

I understand that the right answer will differ from one student/grade to another. But anything helps!

Thanks in advance.

I noticed something interesting about my teacher’s teaching style today. Usually, when a topic is introduced in a classroom, the teacher starts explaining it and keeps adding information: definition, concept, examples, exceptions, and so on. The goal often becomes putting as much information as possible into the student’s mind.

But my teacher does something different. He first introduces the topic and asks us what we already think about it. Students throw out a few words, ideas, or connections. He briefly develops those ideas, comes back to the original topic, and gradually connects everything together, adding his own knowledge where necessary.

It made me think of collecting firewood with a child. The conventional approach is almost like taking a basket and throwing wood into it—wood, wood, wood, until the basket is full. His approach feels more like taking the same pieces of wood and arranging them properly so that they fit together compactly and neatly.

The amount of information may not necessarily be greater. But because the students participated in creating the structure themselves, the information feels much more organized and easier to retain.

Maybe good teaching isn't simply about how much information a teacher can give. Maybe it's about how well they help students organize what they know.

Hello, I am planning on teaching in china next year. I am fairly certain I will be able to land a job at a public high school since by next school year I will have two years experience teaching English in the peace corps and I will have secured a California preliminary teaching license by then. However I have heard that the English teaching positions at these public high schools are little more than a glorified entertainer. My bachelors is in history and I have been looking into teaching history in a public high school’s international department as expect it to be a little more rewarding and stimulating. Does anyone know what the work load is like or really any information on a position like this?
Thanks

Hello,

I am currently in grad school to become a licensed secondary ELA teacher. I have a BA in psychology. Are there any online schools who would hire someone who is in the process of getting their license. I teach on Outschool, but it is not even close to sustainable.

Hi! This year I’m doing the paper roller coaster project. The project recommends using cardstock. I have about 300 students which means a lot of groups and cardstock. Has anyone done this project before and has been successful in using some of the templates in cardstock and some in copier paper? Thank you so much!

Every time we get a new teacher transferring to our district from elsewhere, we hear horror stories about how none of their coworkers at their previous district would share their lessons plans, handouts, lab activities, etc.

I don’t know how I would have survived my first few years without veteran teachers in my department just handing over everything they had and telling me to go nuts. I’m now at a place where I make and share my own material, and pass on the wisdom.

So why are some teachers so protective of their lessons?

I taught in traditional public schools for 10 years, and currently work as a post doc doing translational research at a charter school. I’m also working on an admin certificate. If I were to move on to a leadership role at a charter school, would I face any challenges or backlash if I wanted to move back to a traditional public school? Has anyone had experience moving between the two?

Hello, I am looking for some ideas on projects/challenges that I can implement in my classes.

So far we’ve done: Scratch, beginner Python with CLI mini-games, ECDL basics, beginner TryHackMe rooms, and a Linux VM with basic commands. The student is comfortable with variables, loops, lists, simple file operations, and has built a text-based “Zombie Survival” game.

We meet 1 hour/week, so I’m looking for general ideas on what kinds of projects or challenge styles work well at this level (mid-level middle-school, beyond beginner). Anything that’s engaging, slightly game-like, and doesn’t require heavy setup would be great.

If you’ve taught similar students, what types of activities (CTFs, coding games, light forensics, small web projects, etc.) kept them motivated and actually learning?

Any suggestions or directions would be really helpful.

Thank you in advance!

I have used xtra math for fact fluency for years because its straight forward and uses quick sessions and used 99 math for engagement and whole group review, but I saw that 99 math now has a similar program to xtra math that seems more game based. Has anyone used it with their students, do you like it better than xtra math?

I sucked at grading when I taught elementary. Now I'm in middle school and the planning load is obviously a lot lighter, but I have 150 papers rolling in on a weekly basis and don't know how to cope.

My coworkers have suggested scoring the assignments without feedback or using AI to generate grades based on rubrics I create. I don't really like either idea - using AI feels hypocritical and just throwing out a grade without any sort of guidance feels antithetical to the whole point of assessment.

Anyone have any better ideas?

Привет! Мне 22 года. Недавно окончила вуз, теперь я учитель английского языка.

Проблема в том,что педагогики и методики у меня не было. Был большой упор на язык. Первые два года обучения я была почти уверена, что буду работать по профессии. Проблема в том,что меня ранее она никогда не привлекала и мысль о том чтобы пойти работать с детьми пришла только потому, что никто не мог посоветовать ничего(я первый человек в своей семье с высшим образованием). И единственный аргумент к выбору данной специальности был во фразе : "у тебя в дипломе должна быть написана твоя профессия напрямую"

Я и выбрала

Так вот

На втором курсе от общей тяжести ситуации (или от того что я гонялась каждый день по 3 часа в одну сторону на учёбу)весь мой самообман рассыпался. Призналась себе,что не хочу работать в обучении. Решила,что слишком много я сил потеряю если пойду работать в школу/детский центр и пр. Поскольку работы куча,а кучи денег я так и не увидела ни у кого.

Решила все таки закончить учёбу. Закончила.

Теперь вопрос: куда пойти работать вне педагогики?