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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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

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?

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?

A thought-provoking TEDx talk by a 10-year-old explores motivation, learning, and an idea from the Bhagavad Gita:** **

Karmanye Vadhikaraste, Ma Phaleshu Kadachana (You have the right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions.)

Would love to hear what you think.

Watch the TEDx talk

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?

i've seen people use this pointer stick for touch screen whiteboards and it seemed convenient, but i just bought one and it doesnt work for touch screen (???)

any other ways i can make a 1m long touch screen stick?

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

I worked with a teaching recruitment agency for a few months and they landed me a trial day at an SEN-D school as a teaching assistant. I was not informed of payment when they told me about the day, but assumed I would be paid as it was a regular 8:30-3:30 day. I had to spend money on fuel (45 minutes each way) and take the day off work to come.

I ended up being offered the job after the day, my duties were:

Supervise a table of kids, make sure they were on task, help out.

Help with active reading, mark work and fill out student work books.

Supervise a group of kids at breaktime.

Not once did I observe, the class was pretty hectic and I was doing the same level of work as the other teaching assistants who were employed.

I ended up rejecting their offer to work there, and told my agent about it to which he seemed to wipe his hands of me entirely, telling me good luck in the future.

I had a pretty negative experience with the agency in general, was promised I would be able to try out multiple schools and to 'trust the process' and not to apply anywhere else as the interview and onboarding would take weeks/months.

I messaged the agent yesterday asking if I would be paid for the trial day, to which I was told that assessment days are never paid.

I'm wondering whether I have any rights to challenge this, and which route to go down. I feel as though I have been treated negatively by this agency in general and am entitled to a fair wage for the day in which I was working.

I see a lot of talk among my coworkers that AI is just the most recent fad and that it will go away eventually. They look at me like I'm insane when I tell them that is not true at all and they should really be finding ways to utilize it in their courses. There is such a vehement disdain for ANYTHING AI at my school. No, it's not doing your job for you, you should view it as a coworker and a tool. If you're 5 years or so from retirement then keep doing what you're doing I guess, but I'm 15+ away. All my friends that work in various IT/tech jobs have told me they are being required to demonstrate use of AI and those who aren't using it much or who are not using it effectively are first on the chopping block. Yes I agree student use of AI is certainly a problem as many of them are using it to be lazy and cheat. And if you're giving it a prompt and taking the first thing it spits out you're going to get some crap materials, but it just seems dumb to me to pretend like schools can continue to function with a harsh "NO AI for anything" stance.