Because my teaching load is heavier this year than it was when I started this blog, I will be taking some time off to focus on my students. I will try to post something new once a month (this being my September post. A cop-out, I know.) If you would like an email update when … More #NotMyClassroomBlog is taking a hiatus
You should never want to embarrass a student in your classroom. If you’re going to “make an example” of someone, you’re making bad teaching choices. This is why I never read notes I take from students in front of the class. I’m not saying don’t ever read notes. You definitely should. Sometimes there will be … More BTTS Vol. 9 (aka, Never Ever Read Confiscated Notes Out Loud)
Substitute teaching means you’re a teacher for multiple schools in your board/area. Personally, I usually put my name in for 15-20 schools in the board. I know some teachers who have signed up to substitute at every school in their board. Regardless of how many schools you’re able to work at, having to know more than … More Knowing Your Schools
It’s the summer time, and the last thing you want to be thinking about is collecting resources and developing units. Unfortunately, a teacher’s summer holiday is a bit of a working holiday as well. Maybe you got some new resources from an online course or maybe you were able you able to get a bunch from … More Resources For Everyone!
If you’re already on your summer break, please don’t rub it in. Some of us still have 4 days left… I wanted to take this time to let you know that the blog will be running a little differently for the summer. New posts will be published every two weeks, and on the alternating weeks … More Summer Vay-cayyy!
Often times I will post dialogue of the ridiculous interactions I have with students on Facebook or Twitter. Most often it’s to share a humourous situation. Sometimes though, it’s because I need the validation of yes, Natalie, this is an absurd situation. I’ve said it before that kids say insane things and I’ll likely say it again. … More BTTS Vol. 8 (aka, Sometimes I Need the Validation)
Have you read the title? Good. Because that’s it. Always carry bandaids. Fingers get paper-cut. Feet get blistered. Students hurt themselves. Don’t root through another teacher’s desk, and don’t lose class time sending a student to the office. Just always carry bandaids. I cannot believe I haven’t listed them in my other posts about things … More Always Carry Bandaids
As a teacher, regular classroom or substitute, it is inevitable that at some point, you will have to put up with listen to students complaining about other teachers. There are two things you should do when this happens, and sometimes finding the balance of the two can be tricky. When a student complains about another … More When Students Complain…
It’s almost June. The weather is beautiful. Teachers are taking “sick” days to use up unbankable paid days off (no judgment here; I appreciate the substitute calls that come from it). Most courses are nearing the end of their content. But. Schools aren’t always air-conditioned, and students are going insane. Work isn’t going to get … More The Great Outdoors
Let me take you back to the year 2000, when I was a skinny, awkward, accidental-mullet-having Grade 9 student. It was February, the beginning of second semester, and I was heading to gym class. If you know Natalie, you know she’s not in a gym class unless she absolutely needs to be. When I got … More BTTS Vol. 7 (aka, Cute Boys Are a Matter of Opinion)
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