Sorry for another teacher-y post in a row. I’m very pensive and introspective about teaching right now (they call this our “reflection” period after we get out of our “burnout” period which is from about January-March).

I’m including an outfit pic at least (blurry and crappy – taken by my ipad and an app that takes pictures when you clap! haha I’m pathetic) to at least make it slightly less boring to those of you who don’t care about junior high stuff. I don’t blame you.

I’ve worn 3 maxis this week. Yikes. They are pretty much sweats so it means I’ve given up until this cold leaves me alone.

 

Today, a kid came in with our latest map – Asia – and asked if I could put it in our online gradebook before lunch even though it was due last week and was really late. See, he had a REALLY IMPORTANT soccer game after school and his grades weren’t good enough to play.

Once again, awesome teaching moment where consequences can and should be used. Praise be to this soccer coach for holding his players accountable. I could kiss him on the cheek.

So I tell this kid that I’ll TRYYYYYY but that he shouldn’t leave things to the last minute and should never turn in things late and that he owes me big time. I saw the fear in his eyes and I know it worked. This kid will be an A student for me forever.

A couple hours later he was back with an ice cold Diet Coke and a big thanks. Yahtzee.

Moral of the Story: Kids don’t realize how little things they do can seriously help them out in the classroom. Bribery, favorites, it’s all true and it all works.

Top 5 Teacher Confessions that will Amaze and Help You

1. If a student is quiet and nice, I subconsciously grade their work easier, because they make my life easier. They can get away with so much more. Sometimes I see really really really good kids texting and I don’t bust them on it. I know I should, but I don’t want to because I trust them and have a good relationship with them
2. If a student usually works crazy hard and is perfect, I stop grading their work eventually and just give them 100% on everything to save myself time.
3. When current work comes in, I have 200+ to grade so I spend about 2 seconds on each one (meaning if it looks good at first glance I usually give it points). When late work comes in I only have like 2 or 3 to look at at a time (meaning I tear it apart and grade hard). 
4. When you come talk to me about your grade, I’m 436x more likely to help you out and get your stuff in. When your mom emails me, especially in a rude way (see earlier post) it makes me want to grade your work so hard and let it sit on my desk for a week. I know that sounds bad. But it’s fact. 
5. Kids that bring me Diet Cokes, food, cute notes, compliment me, etc. – well. It’s hard not to love them. Emotional bank account, people. 

The main idea here is that forming a relationship with a teacher is worthwhile. These are actually universal principles and you should just work hard to make people like you and think you’re a good person and your life will automatically get easier. Promise.