u/ShatteredHope

I have a long term sub aide in my class (moderate/severe self contained). She's very nice and agreeable and tries with the kids but some things are really taking me by surprise.

One day we were playing music instruments. We finish and go to put them all back in the tub. She goes to put cymbals inside the music tub then says "oh you might want to disinfect these, Johnny (fake name) had them in his mouth". I asked her to just grab a disinfectant wipe and wipe them down real quick *before* putting them in the tub with everything else. Another day a student was trying to get into someone else's water bottle. She was standing in front blocking it and saying "no, not your water". I checked that student's water bottle and it was completely empty, so clearly he was thirsty and just saw water and wanted it. I told her his is empty, he's just thirsty, can you fill it up please. I have so many examples like this...and it's still only the second week of school!

I don't mind training people but I'm at a loss here of where to even start.

EDIT: This person is NOT new to the role or new to my classroom/my students. Hence the frustration. Last year I asked for her to be removed because she was on her phone all day every day and neglecting caring for students because she was too busy on her phone. She's at least not doing that this year so I do appreciate the effort!

I've been teaching students with severe needs for 8 years now. I started out loving my job and being so excited and enthusiastic about everything. 2 school years ago I lost that spark (long story - serious injury, extreme behaviors, etc) and have been trying ever since to fall back in love with the job. I moved classrooms and schools last year but still dread going to work. I've spent all summer trying to hype myself up and get excited for a new year, but now I've got 1 week left and I just can't stand the idea of going back.

I tried all spring and summer to change jobs and applied to tons of positions. I didn't have any luck with any good options. I already go to therapy and talk about my job extensively. I care less than ever before and try to treat it as a job and nothing more. I remind myself constantly how very very fortunate I am to have a job that pays my bills and has good benefits, no matter what that job is.

I hate being in this mindset and want to love my job again. Anyone in the same boat?

I'm aware quality of life and extra spending and things like that may decrease. That is okay, I am extremely burned out and stressed daily by my job and exploring any and all possibilities.

Current job: monthly income in September will be 10,600 per month. I net about $6200. I'm a public school teacher and have 10% taken out automatically for retirement, I also contribute $500/month to a 403b. I save 16.9% per month in a separate summer account to equalize pay over 12 months (no paycheck in July or August). I pay only $155/month for pretty great health insurance for me and my 2 children.

Side job: I currently work 12 hours per week, with mileage and reports and things I net about $1500/month. I would be able to increase hours at this job, but pay is only $31/hour. However, I really like and enjoy this job and it does not stress me at all. I currently have another side job that is $1200/month. I had planned to quit this for August, but if I taught part time instead of full time then I would be able to keep this other job. I also have another at home side job that is typically only $600/month net, but very reliable income.

Monthly Expenses are currently $6570/month for everything. We don't really skimp or budget tightly when it comes to eating out, clothes, hair, entertainment, etc and I could cut these categories if I needed to. The only area I am concerned about is extras - my daughter (18) is starting college and will have a lot of expenses like parking pass, textbooks, she's thinking about a sorority, etc. She is going to a state university and between grants and existing 529 we do not have to pay anything for tuition. We also really love to go to concerts together and it's one of my favorite (and most expensive) things to do with her. My son (15) is so expensive and his extra curriculars this school year are projected to be $3500ish for the year. I typically use side job money for this type of stuff because I don't "need" it for expenses. I also use side job money for a lot of traveling and savings, we can cut traveling if need be, and I do have savings that can help. This would be a 1-2 year plan, not forever.

I'm considering a 50% job to decrease time in the classroom. Gross income would decrease by 50%. I have no idea how this will impact retirement and benefits. How do I work out if this is doable or not for me and my family?

My son (15) had mono in early 2025. He was extremely tired off and on for several months but eventually back to his normal self. In May of this year 2026 we went to the doctor for other unrelated ​issues ​and after doing full blood work his doctor said he was having a flare up of mono again. I don't remember the details of what in the blood work showed this, but I remember it wasn't a new mono infection but flare up​. He had definitely been a bit tired but not to the initial mono level. We were both surprised by the results and wouldn't have suspected it. By June he seemed back to usual energy levels.

He just started football camp last week. He was doing strenuous exercise for 4-5 hours per day after not playing sports for years. He did this for 4 days in a row and seemed fine. But starting on Friday he's been dead tired and sleeping 20+ hours per day for 3 days in a row now. He now ​feels like when he initially had mono. After some googling, I am thinking the sudden increase in exercise could have triggered another mono flare up? 😫 Does this just last years now that he can have flare ups again? Is there seriously no way to get rid of it altogether? I had mono myself about 3 or 4 years ago but don't think I ever had any additional flare ups afterwards.

My daughter (18) and I went to a 4th of July concert at a large venue. We bought tickets at 130pm on July 4th. Only tickets available were "obstructed view" in the top several rows. We decided to buy tickets in the very top row with all empty seats around so we could stretch out and have a lot of room to ourselves. We intentionally chose an empty area, since we had the option.

At one point during the show, many people in the top row noticed that if we turned around we could see tons and tons of fireworks surrounding the arena. It's an outdoor venue on the top of a hill, we could see probably 30 different firework displays. People from some of the other super high rows saw/heard this and started coming up to our top row because it was so empty.

My daughter was standing on her seat (like many people) and this couple came up and stood on the seats next to her and kept bumping into her. When we turned around to watch the show again (multiple acts, there were times with no performance) she moved over a seat, but stretched out her knee on the seat she had been standing on - taking up 2 seats.

For literally the REST of the event this couple kept giving us both dirty looks and glaring at the seat she had her leg on. They never said a word to either of us. I don't honestly know how many seats they had because so many people flocked up to our row and it got crowded. They made me feel a bit jerky but also never asked her to move...and we were in our assigned seats while everyone else wasn't.

I need to lose a lot of weight (100+ lb). I am a teacher on summer break and only working part time at side jobs, my current life is so much more chill and easy than my normal life. I would like to spend the next 5 weeks alternating half the week eating healthy and half the week fasting/only on a liquid diet of protein shakes, broth, etc and tons of water.

Earlier this month I did a liquid diet fasting for 3.5 days before a doctor's appointment and lost 14lb during that time. I know it's likely water weight and won't continue that fast. I was able to keep all of that off but haven't lost anything additional yet, so I am thinking this could help me to kind of kick it into high gear? I walk daily and do weight machines multiple times per week and would continue this to limit muscle loss. I have been working hard to change eating habits and eating tons of protein and fiber, along with limiting sugar. Anything else to be concerned about? Anyone have experience with this type of schedule?

Does anyone here teach in a juvenile detention hall? What can you tell me about it and do you recommend it?

I have an interview for a position this week in a juvenile hall as a sped teacher. I looked up this specific place and it was shut down a few years ago and has had educational lawsuits but is now reopened. Students stay for an average of less than 1 month so there is a constant revolving door of kids to work with. I'm looking for something completely different than what I do now (self-contained sped) and this certainly fits that bill. Looking to hear any input from teachers in this position please!!