u/Celeste_signals

I’m 22F, never been a teacher before, have only ever taught other students my own age in labs and classrooms but those were my classmates. I was kinda blindsided with this as I was told the kids are ‘always really good’ for this summer camp. So yeah.

It’s 2 STEM based courses for elementary kids (ages 8-10) and I’m supposed to help these kids build what is essentially legos. It’s very clear every single one of those kids is here because the parents would rather pay a summer camp for child care rather than a personal sitter for them.

I have half the mind to drop the STEM stuff and just send them home with what’s left of the kits at the end of the week (thankfully this class only runs until this Friday.) After today’s class I got some stuff for playing outside (soccer ball, small foam football etc.) but I’ve had a lot of issues trying to get them to control their behavior. Lots of smart mouthing, being rude to each other and I CANNOT believe I am saying this but: EATING GRASS.

I’ve already warned them that parents have to come to the classroom to pick them up after the program each day and that I WILL tell their parents about their poor behavior right in front of them. That has usually worked, but I think some of them thought I was bluffing until I did actually tell 2 kids parents about their behavior.

All and all, it seems having them play outside for a while tends to diminish their quite possibly boundless energy. I completely understand these are YOUNG children, but I’m way in over my head. I was approached about this job as a side hustle (and I’m in between jobs) and because I just graduated from college with a degree in the sciences (thus another need for a job: student loans.)

So, with all that being said, here’s my possible plan for the next week:

For each class have them work diligently for 1 hour on their robots (that’s what the kit is). Tell them if they make good progress, work effectively and control their behavior we can go out for a recess after lunch.

Lunch for about 30 minutes (maybe 45 if they need extra time.) - hopefully being on full stomachs will KEEP THEM FROM EATING GRASS.

Recess for an hour- I’m thinking maybe making a capture the flag game except the flag is a bucket of water. Water is a big topic in the class as an essential resource, so maybe trying to make them fight for each side’s water could showcase the history behind why early settlers chose to be close to water? Plus it’ll be hot out so maybe it’ll help them cool down too. I’m thinking if they’re done with their kit during the first building hour I could also have them build the contraption to carry the water back to their base.

Wind down the last 30 minutes.

The biggest issue I foresee is some of the students (about 5 of them) are in both my morning and afternoon classes. Same premise, just a different robot. I’m worried these kids may be restless by the end of the second class. A family member told me to bribe them by saying if they’re great the rest of the week and their parents ‘okay’ it in front of me that on Friday they could take a few pieces of candy home. I’m not sure these kids could be bribed with candy given they SEEM TO ENJOY EATING GRASS (I literally cannot get over this). Plus, bribery just doesn’t sit super right with me. But if it means survival then my morals might be a bit gray lol.

Any advice would be MAJORLY appreciated. I do wish I could just drop the job, but I don’t want to leave any parents or faculty in a position where they need to scramble to get someone to cover the class. I also have my anniversary coming up and I really do need the money.

Hello!

So I’m in a scenario here and I wanna see if anyone else has been in this situation before.

Wearing monthly contact lens gave me Aponeurotic ptosis. Essentially the muscle in my eyelid has weakened and now my left eye droops slightly. Because of this I can no longer wear contacts.

I may have to get surgery to fix this issue, and I’ve been thinking ‘if I hate glasses so much and have to have surgery on my eyelid to fix an issue contact lens caused, should I just get laser eye surgery?’

Here’s my big issue. I’ve heard the horror stories, seen the stuff people have to do online to deal with chronic pain and dry eye from lasik. I’m terrified of my eye being cut open etc.

My prescription is -2.25 in both eyes.

Any advice? Thank you!

Edit: I should add I’ve also been considering Ortho K for a non invasive option.

Hello. I’m a 22F who for the last few months have been having ptosis in my left eye. Been going to a ton of doctors and finally have been told my symptoms point towards MG. I don’t have the shortness of breath, issues swallowing or muscle weakness etc. I only have the minor ptosis in my eye.

What does living with minor MG look like? Is this something I should be freaking out about possibly having? I’ll be honest- I’m scared. I feel very in the dark and you know how Google likes to be when googling medical stuff.

I’ll update when I get the rest of my tests back and a possible official diagnosis.