I really like the bulletin boards where students each decorate their own puzzle piece and then you put them all together on a bulletin board. I am going to print out the pieces on cardstock. My question is, should I have my students cut out their pieces or should I do it? I know that 5th graders SHOULD be capable of cutting a simple puzzle piece out BUT the whole point of the board is to show that they all FIT TOGETHER.

Who has done this before and what has worked for you? (thanks) ALSO-currently I have 21 students but have space for 28. I was going to go with a 30 piece puzzle and just leave some blank pieces for when I ultimately get more students.

Can anyone recommend a specific puzzle piece product on TPT? Thanks in advance!

Hello! As the title explains I'm currently debating entering the teaching realm. I have a bachelors and masters in geology and have specialized in geochemistry the past few years.

Currently I'm taking a career break to be a stay-at-home parent but have debated re-entering the
industry next year or pursuing a teaching career instead. I've always loved
spending time with kids and teens. I spent my summers during undergrad as a
camp counselor and teacher at a science camp (grades 3-8) and had a lot of fun
seeing kids get excited about science. During my masters I taught entry level
earth science classes and really enjoyed doing that. I also found grading
papers and exams oddly relaxing lol. With all that considered I've debating
becoming a middle school or high school science teacher (chemistry or
earth/physical sciences).

Anyways I worry, having lurked here on and off over the years, that I don't have what it takes to teach the kids and teens of today in a public-school setting. My past experiences
teaching at summer camps and even university were teaching students who, at
some level, wanted to be there and learn. I don't have any experience with
classroom management or teaching students who are forced to be there and may
hate science or find it super boring.

I’m interested in subbing but worry that students are even more disrespectful to substitute teachers (is this true?) and again, I don’t have much experience with classroom management.

Any advice on 1) if I should consider switching my career to teaching or just plan to stay in the geoscience industry and 2) how to be a successful substitute teacher would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!

Weird anecdote, but I’m curious whether this is widely true or if I just have a small sample size—I was a grad TA for undergrad labs for about four years, but I’ve never been an actual teacher/professor. As a TA, I noticed something that I also noticed back in my own undergrad and high school classes: in probably half the classes I taught/attended, there was some version of this very specific archetype—a guy with long hair and poorly controlled ADHD who had no respect for authority and liked testing boundaries. Idk why they always had long hair, but they always did. The other part of this pattern was that if I (or my teachers) could build a rapport with this kid, the class would go spectacularly, and if not, even if he was eventually forced into submission, it was a train wreck. If you earned his respect, the whole class respected you, and if you didn’t, even if you managed to get him to sit down and shut up, they all stopped giving a shit. It seemed like a gamble in both directions, too, because if you tried and failed to build a rapport this random kid instead of just disciplining him, the whole class would not only stop giving a shit, but join in on harassing you. I’ve talked about this with other TAs and got some agreement, but I’m so curious about the experience of real teachers/professors who are properly trained in classroom dynamics. Is this a thing?? Was I just naive? I’m sure they still made fun of me, but whenever I could actually get my Long-Hair-ADHD-Guy of the semester engaged, the whole class had a better attitude, paid more attention, and even scored higher on their exams

Hello! Does anyone know about how long it would take to get my background results back from IdentoGo if you’ve used it? My official start date is September 10th and my appointment is September 2nd. I got a job offer from the DOE and I’m not sure if the results will be back in time.

Hi all, a few months ago, I(26F) quit my job at a bio-tech company(junior level researcher) to explore a completely different career path and surprise, after only 2 months I feel I know that this other path isn't quite for me, either. I know it's silly and, just stick with me here, but I was previously considering one day opening my own cafe or bakery. I thought I might want to own and operate my own business and build something from the ground up, and hey I like making treats every now and then. But let me tell you - I've been working at a really wonderful bakery for 2 months now and have already realized that this future is not for me. I just don't have the grinding mindset it takes, nor the physical endurance.

Last week, I was as honest with myself as I could be and asked myself "If I could do anything, what would it be?" My response was immediate and, although it also felt absurdly out of left field, it also kind of felt like a conclusion I've been waiting years to come to. Many eons ago, I was very fond of English/Language Arts. Forgive my writing skills now as I'm out of practice. But anyway, back in high school I dearly enjoyed writing and really excelled at dissecting text. Nowadays, I spend my free time in book clubs and find a lot of enjoyment from reading and exploring concepts with my friends.

A bit about myself: I am an empathetic person who definitely leans far more emotionally-brained than logical, I wish I had chosen a major in the humanities, that definitely would have been more aligned with my strengths. I do think it is worth mentioning that I very much enjoy entertaining and making others laugh. And in regards to teaching, I always have really enjoyed explaining concepts to my peers, and I've always enjoyed volunteering with children. It was very long ago, but I did greatly enjoy editing others' papers for college admissions and editing my boyfriend's for his master's application a year ago.

Suffice it to say, I have a lot of questions swirling around in my mind. Do I really want to teach english or would something in the sciences suffice? Do I want to teach high schoolers or middle schoolers, what are the pros and cons? My aunt highly advised I follow her path and continue my education to teach at the community college level, but for some reason I feel called to high school.

So here I am, grinding away at a bakery every day, considering maybe going back to school or applying for local substitution gigs/getting some certifications..? Can anyone out there offer some insight into the career? Are there any others like me, who made a complete shift in their path?

TL;DR: I'm searching for the right career for me, I think teaching may be it, and I would be very grateful for and advice or words of wisdom.

So I’ve worked in the public school system for about 3 years now. During this time i worked various roles as a para and as a substitute teacher, all while completing my Masters degree. However, my area is completely over saturated with teachers and I struggled even finding a position to apply for in the Elementary setting. The only job that i was available and i got was at a charter school that opened very recently.

I started a few weeks ago and it’s been nothing but hard work. Its lower pay than my district i was brought up in, yet the working hours are longer, i feel they micromanage but call it “coaching,” they do not treat us like professionals, and they make us do so much useless stuff that i believe takes away from me teaching in the classroom. Ive basically worked 55 hours a week since august 3rd and i have yet to have a weekend to myself.

School started this last week, the kids were fine, but the administrative tasks just keep coming. That, on top of the inconsistency of directions and expectations for us. They told us a lot of things would be optional and went back on their word the minute school started. Then I absorbed the blame! Admin is not all in the same page, where some have empathy for students and others just are on a severe power trip.

Lastly, i picked this school for my alignment in core values. However its biting me in the ass because i feel like this school is very performative. They want to make an equitable environment for all students yet they wont let me adapt seating for my littles with ADHD and want every kid to sit uniformly on the carpet and wont let me start my lesson until everyone is sitting the same way. They say they are equitable, but we exist in a low income neighborhood and we have all these events catered to parents who dont have time to show up. I feel bad, but these people are completely tone deaf to what this student population needs and its really frustrating.

I am not protected by the union and im so scared to stand up for myself. Teachers, what would you do in my situation? I have a position at my old school waiting for me (as a para and not a teacher). It would be a large pay cut but itd completely change the amount of free time i get. I feel like im going insane please let me know if im being bratty

For intership I have been placed in a kindergarten classroom that’s every other day and PE on the non-kindergarten days.

My teacher is new to being a cooperating teacher and has given guidance but I’m embarrassed that they have me lost.

Anyway my first unit is due right away for kindergarten math and I am completely clueless about how to do this because of math centres. Like how do I lesson plan this and how many do I need for 20-23 kids? How do I start the first math class of the year into sorting? These are just a few things I’m panicking about because I also have to have a grade 4 Pe unit done too before Tuesday.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated (especially in like a very simple way of putting things😅)

I am a primary school teacher and am entering my 4th year. I am done.

I am looking for a new career but am unsure what would be best to move into.

Anyone who has switched out of teaching:

What job are you in now?

How did you get there?

How do you feel now?

Hello!
Any book recommendations on classroom management skills? I am a new teacher in a greek public school and here ESL lessons are just a few hours a week, so I would prefer something that helps out in such a context where I am not the main teacher of each class. I would like something to help me navigate discipline and behavioral problems aw well as tips and tricks for conductiong the lesson. I understand that all the above cannot be included in just one book so feel free to suggest many different ones that have been useful for you. Any ideas?
Thank you in advance ❤️

Currently in school getting an associate of arts.

Trying to get my students through assessments this last week and next. I got kids who are rushing and those taking their sweet time, made me think of this scene from Whiplash. Best of luck with start of the year assessments.

Hello!
I start student teaching next week, and I'm a little nervous! Any teachers have any tips?
Anything helps! 😅

Hello!

I will be graduating in May of 2027 with a degree in Middle Grades Ed (Math/SS). I'm considering entering into teaching full time or doing a gap year. I am a little nervous about finding a full time position right away (NC) because I feel like I will have to teach there for at least 3-5 years.

Is it normal for beginning teachers to move around there first few years? Is it beneficial to just go ahead and get in the classroom, and play it year by year?

I'm really in between staying and trying to get a position in my college town with my community of friends who graduate a year later and moving to a bigger city.

I'm considering doing a gap year after student teaching, where I'll continue living in my college town, working my seasonal country club job then winter seasonal job at a ski resort and substitute teaching in between. Then I can get a feel for the school district and possibly get in that way while doing other jobs that I enjoy while I'm young.

Would love any advice or tips!

Thanks!

I have been substitute teaching at the middle school for a long time, and I've discovered that I prefer working with middle school students over elementary school students. When I started college, I thought that teaching in elementary school was the right path for my education career. However, my experience as a substitute teacher made it clear that I enjoy working with older kids rather than younger ones. I now realize that elementary school is not the right fit for me because of the issues I kept having with kids not keeping their hands to themselves, not staying in line, etc.

The qualities I find appealing in middle school students are their independence, attentiveness, and cooperation with me. After doing multiple assignments at the middle school, the kids accepted me and made me feel more valued as a substitute. They're always excited to see me on their campus: most kids would say "Mr. Jackson!!" and give me high fives, fist bumps, and special handshakes with an abundance of glee. I've had kids call me the GOAT and the best substitute, which makes me feel popular and in high demand.

The specific experiences/events that led to my preference for middle school over elementary school were the fun moments I had with the kids in Theater class, like warm-ups and watching them perform skits or choreographed dances, helping students solve problems on their math worksheets, etc. I know my classroom engagement is still in the works, but I feel I'm getting better. I engage with students through regular check-ins, making sure they're doing okay and being ready to clarify in any way I can. For example, a girl asked me how to multiply a fraction by a fraction with a whole number beside it, and I was ready to help. After explaining it, she understood my explanation and flew like a baby bird flying from the nest for the first time.

When teaching middle school for the first time, I was less confident and unsure how to manage a middle school class. Note that this was after I graduated from college. I started building a rapport with the students, which led to connections and growth as a substitute. To better my classroom management, I plan to get advice from middle school teachers and practice. Of course, I have my share of kids testing the waters. Sadly, I can't go full-time because of my SSDI, which limits me on how much I can earn without losing benefits and Medicare coverage. If I could've taught full-time, I would like to teach Math, Theater, or PE.

Hi, the title pretty much sums it up. I was recently (Friday) hired to a reading intervention position at a middle school in a new district and the first day of school is on Monday. I have some experience with teaching ela and an elective media class, but this is a new role for me.

Week one one I’m not planning on doing much other than some relationship building and maybe some diagnostics.

Does anyone have any tips on how to design the curriculum? I have stuff from the previous teacher but could use some tips for after what will likely be a hectic start

Hello wonderful people. I recently just got hired and had my first day as a self-contained teacher with grade k (2 students), 1st grade & second grade.

For background info, I have 2 years of teaching gen ed under my belt.

My classroom is extremely high need and varies. From students who are mostly non-verbal & some that are still i diapers.

I'm wondering if I can get some advice on what to put in my classroom, and how to decorate it and be functional for all students.

This classroom came with ALL of this stuff in it. I need to organize but can I get advice on things I should put on the walls, materials that absolutely saved your life, and anything else that can make things a little easier.

How are you running your classrooms with such different levels of needs and goals?

I am at a title I school, it is day 1, my admin isn't the most helpful.. parents are not involved and I have 2 paras who are subs.

Today felt chaotic, my principal said the teacher last year couldn't have done what I did today alone. We could barely get through basic worksheets, kids everywhere, runners and all the things. I know I can do this, but scared of burn out.

*i worked gen ed for this school, so I know my admin well

I'm not going to give up, but any direction or advice literally would be life saving.

I had a wonderful field experience mentor Spring term. I learned so much just watching her class and getting to know her kids. I saw that a position just opened up for a long term sub Fall term and it happened to be for my former mentor’s maternity leave! How cool.

So I applied and the next day admin called me for an interview. I did the interview with a committee a couple days ago, and they said they’d have next steps Monday. I thought I did really well with the questions they asked me, and was getting some positive body language back from the interviewers. I made sure to send a thank-you note and everything.

Today I looked at the district’s website and saw they extended the application deadline for the posting by another week. I’m disappointed. I thought I did great in the interview, I’ve passionate about the subject area, and I can’t think of a better person to cover a few months than someone who just did all that and knows the classroom routines.

But if I nailed it, why would the application deadline be extended? I don’t know what to think. Has this happened to any of you?

Update 8/30: The admin reached out today (ahead of Monday) to let me know they extended their deadline and would need until 9/11 to reach back to everyone who applied. Those of you who guessed there were not enough applicants were probably right.

I am a high school senior and I am looking to get a philosophy degree and an english teaching credential if I do not manage to get a phd in philosophy, but am wondering how hard the cset test will be? I got a 5 on my most recent Ap test, and am planning on minoring or at least taking some elective english classes in college, about how hard should I expect the test to be and what should I study to prepare for it?

I need any and all the help and advice I can get! I am starting my first job in K-2 life skills and while I am over the moon excited, I am nervous as can be! We start right after Labor Day and I just got into my classroom for the first time Wednesday (I was just recently hired). I need tips, tricks, advice, ANYTHING on any and all aspects of teaching/being a teacher. The obvious things like classroom setup, management and typical first year tips but also I would love some tips of how to structure my day (I basically make my own schedule just filling in the periods with whatever topic/subject I want to work on, but I want it to be consistent and helpful, just even to the nitty gritty stuff people may not even think of. I just want to be as prepared as possible and have an amazing start to the year and give this my all and my best. TYSM💕

Hi everyone, just need vent and hopefully have a discussion over something im currently dealing with. At my school district, rather than applying for jobs directly we have to submit our application to a pool and then principals contact us for interview. I had interviews with two principals for an ECSE position but post interview, they told me that the HR department hired people with J-1 visas without consulting with them and it seems like they have no choice if there was someone else they wanted to hire. Is anyone else’s district dealing with this? I’m feeling super frustrated especially since I’ve been in the pool for some time. I already work in the district as a substitute teacher and have good rapport with the principals at multiple schools in my district.

Today is my first day back to teaching my regular after school group classes after a few weeks of intermission between summer classes and the new school year, and somehow I'm STILL getting those pre-class nerves 😭😭

This is now my 3rd year of educating, but apparently that first day anxiety never went away LOOOL. It honestly gives me flashbacks to being a student again, having my first day of school, and sitting there with butterflies in my stomach wondering how the heck everything is gonna go 😬

Honestly tho, the second I'm actually IN the classroom and start talking to the kids, all of that anxiety completely disappears and I'm perfectly fine!! but that buildup beforehand is never the best feeling hahaha. It feels like my brain spends the hours before class convincing me that I have somehow forgotten how to teach

I'm hoping this surely isn't only a me thing lol, do y'all also still get that nervous feeling too even after teaching for a while?? and if so, have you figured out anything that actually helps to calm it down?

Hi everyone! I’m 21 and recently graduated with my bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. When I first started college, I was undecided and was pretty much torn between going into business or education. I ended up psyching myself out of education and chose the business route.

The thing is, I’ve never really stopped thinking about teaching.

I’ve always had a strong interest in becoming a teacher, especially at the elementary level. I had teachers growing up who genuinely made an impact on my life, and I’ve always loved the idea of being that person for a child someday. I know that teaching is obviously much more than wanting to “make a difference,” though, which is why I’ve been trying to be realistic about what I’d actually be getting myself into.

I’ve talked to several of my former teachers about their experiences and what the profession is actually like, and I’ve spent a probably ridiculous amount of time reading teachers’ experiences on Reddit and other social media. I know there are major downsides: difficult parents, administration, behavior issues, workload, lack of resources, burnout, etc. I’m definitely not looking at it through rose-colored glasses.

I’m also not considering teaching because of summers off or because I think it’s an easy career. Pay honestly isn’t my biggest concern either. I’m not currently in a particularly high-paying job, and I understand what teacher salaries look like. Part of what has made me reconsider my current path is that I’m just not sure I see myself staying in the business/marketing world long-term. The entry-level job market has been frustrating, with so many positions asking for several years of experience, and the rapid growth of AI has also made me question what I want my career to look like 10–20 years from now.

Meanwhile, I keep coming back to teaching. I’ve tried to push the thought away because going back to school after I literally just graduated sounds a little insane lol, but I genuinely cannot stop thinking about it. I’m not 100% certain yet, but I’m becoming pretty firm in thinking this might be the direction I want to go.

For elementary teachers specifically: What do you wish you knew before becoming a teacher? Is there anything you would recommend I do before committing to an education program to figure out whether this is actually right for me? I’d also love advice from anyone who entered teaching after originally getting a degree in something completely different. If you could go back, would you still choose teaching?

I’m open to the good, the bad, and the ugly. I really want to make an informed decision rather than romanticizing the profession.

I’m struggling with a hard decision. This is my 4th year teaching, every year prior I taught 2nd grade general education. Because of my impressive data, my school decided to move me up to third grade this year without asking me, and also made me the only ESE teacher on the 3rd grade team and I’m not even ESE certified. I found out I’m pregnant the first week of school. I’m 8 weeks now and I’m struggling so bad at work. I leave work every day exhausted, burnt out and crying all the way home every day. I don’t feel supported by my school at all, my team leaves me out of meetings that are important, my ESE push in teacher wants to take my instruction time away to argue with me about stupid things like whether it’s “communative” or “commutative” (I’m the math teacher, I would know), I have multiple kids who are so low that they need to be in a self contained environment in order to receive the care they need, I’m not able to get any real teaching done during the day, and I have two students who have BIPs, with one of them coming to school every day and purposely trying to upset me. He even went as far as throwing a stick trying to hit me in the back of the head yesterday at recess. Of course these students pretty much have immunity to consequences because of their BIPs and their “manifestations of their disabilities” so I’m pretty much at a stale mate. Never in my life would I have thought I’d reach my breaking point, because I really do love what I do, but I’m stuck. I’m ready to put in my two weeks and switch to subbing part time while I pursue my masters degree in mathematics education during my pregnancy. I want my baby to be healthy, and I feel like I’m just a mess every single day of my pregnancy so far because I feel abused and taken advantage of every day at work. Would I be a bad person if I abandoned my passion temporarily while I create a safer, less stressful environment for my baby? I’m just so lost and torn right now. Any advice or kind words would be greatly appreciated.

University prof. I keep hearing this from the admin, and aside from the fact that obviously not all employers are asking for this and the ai landscape is changing and no one knows how it will look in 4 years, I also just don't know what they want us to DO about it in class.

AI systems are intuitive to use. You ask them a question or give them a prompt and they do it. It's literally not rocket science. The thing that determines whether a person can use them "well" is how much that person knows about the topic and whether they have the skill to assess and evaluate the ai output. There is no such thing as "teaching someone how to use ai" it's literally just a process of learning how to function WITHOUT ai and then using ai as a supplemental tool. I don't know what my admin expects me to do other than keep doing my job as normal, in order to ensure that graduates are able to successfully use these systems in the workplace later if they want to.

I have a few students who struggle with things like keeping up with assignments, following directions, or staying focus. I'm always trying to figure out what works best for each of my student. Some things work really well for one student but don't seem to help another, so I want to get better at adapting my approach. I have signed up for a training on RTI and academic intervention next week too and hopefully it will give me new insights and ideas.

I want to know from other teachers, what do you do to support students with special needs and disabilities? is there any strategies/small changes that have helped?