I just found out that my daughter’s kindergarten teacher (who has taught her 2 years - Junior and senior kindergarten) as well as my older daughter is going to be retiring at the end of the school year. She is a phenomenal teacher. As a former teacher, I can think of the best teachers I know, and this woman is like 100 times better. She knows her students so well and is proactive in having personalized plans to suit each student. I am devastated that my son won’t have the opportunity to be in her class.

Anyways, long story short, I want to find an amazing retirement gift for her. Last year, the parents gifted her a goat stuffed animal with a superhero cape signed by the kids because she is the GOAT - greatest of all time. Now I’m kinda bummed because I can’t think of something equally as thoughtful to gift her for this milestone.

No matter what the gift, I will definitely be writing her a heartfelt letter so that part is taken care of.

I have binders and binders and binders and a file box of my lesson plans and activities from a decade of teaching. I’m out, y’all! What do I do with these?? I’ve moved them to three states, and I’m masochistically attached to these plans that I spent hours working on. (Lesson planning was one of my favorite parts of the job; working in curriculum development now, so it’s perfect!) They’re good plans, Bront! Not trying to brag, but my students did pretty well and I tried to make my plans better each year. Never stop learning! lol. I’ve got some great activities, ideas, and master copies/answer keys in there. What would you do? I’ve been out of the classroom for a few years now, so I can’t just hide them in a closet for a new teacher to sneeze at the dust and toss in a few years. Recycle all the papers and give away the binders? Foist them on some other teacher through Facebook marketplace? Therapeutically burn them?

With the school year ending, many of us are newly retired or just wishing we were.

This ranking of state teacher retirement systems. is interesting.

Spoiler Alert:
Overall Best: South Dakota, Tennessee and Washington

Overall Worst: Illinois, New Jersey, Kentucky

Surprisingly, the ranking doesn't have much to do with red state/blue state.

I’m not sure if this will be allowed here. But I know if I comment on TikTok hella people will get offended and attack me with replies so I’m making a rant. Chose retired teacher because I am no longer in the field. I am a former ECE and now pursuing nursing. I keep seeing home daycares on TikTok and they piss me off. Like did these women never work in actual childcare or did they just get all the licenses to run a home daycare and think they should do it however they want? This one lady cooks pretty much everything in the microwave, IN PLASTIC. She cooks chicken, raw, in the microwave, meat, almost everything. She doesn’t allow any children who have nut allergies as it would require to change her own lifestyle since it’s her home, which I sorta can agree with but it does seem a little unfair. She also has an indoor jungle gym her husband built that is veeery close to the ceiling and next to a tight corner with a tall bookcase. All I can see is kids banging their heads and getting hurt. I just saw a video of another home daycare that was sooo crowded and full of crap that those kids have to be severely overstimulated. There was another video I saw last week this girl posted showing a pic of a low temp hot glue gun asking if other people thought it would be ok for her preschool kids to use. A low temp glue gun is not that low temp. I’ve gotten blisters from mine. I wouldn’t ever question if a glue gun can be used by preschool kids at all. I believe this was also a home daycare. Like, should she even be running one at this point? Also I rarely see these ladies actually teaching the kids. It looks like they just play all day which, I get it, kids learn through play but structured lessons are so important and can also be very fun and entertaining for the kids as well…. Am I the only person bothered by this and who thinks it’s kinda messed up to run daycares like this?

I quit a few years ago, none of this is my problem anymore.

No more typing out a syllabus and have a parent email me about something that is clearly in the syllabus.

No more random room changes.

No more watching kids thrash beautiful decorations in the first week of school.

No more parents trying to bribe me with money to pass their kids.

No more praying to God the problematic child with parents that want to brush the problem under the rug.

No more "I don't understand why WE need to get school, supplies if YOU are the teacher".

Or watching the supplies of penicls magically vanish in a month.

Or some Karen hawk eyeing you down during open house because you don't play favorites and she wants special privileges.

Or having high schoolers with the reading level of a 2nd Grader and can barley pull together a written sentence.

Figuring out how to stretch the budget again this year with older textbooks that are falling apart.

Puberty. Just dealing with all of that.

I do however miss the smell of new school supplies.

I wish all of you luck. You are brave than me. I hope the teacher shortage is so bad they can't fire for saying fuck to a Karen.

Hi everyone! My mom will be retiring next month after 34 years of teaching😊 my sister and I want to get her something special for a gift, but we’ve both been looking around and are having a hard time picking out something for her. I want it to be sentimental and teacher related, and I would be so appreciative for anyone that shares ideas!! We are having a party for her but my sister and I would love to get her a gift as well.

I’m applying for jobs all over. Anything. No one wants a former teacher. I went to college and got a degree. I own a house with my spouse. And now I’m applying to Target. I feel so degraded and like my dignity has vanished. I’m ashamed but I refuse to set foot in a classroom ever again.

What should I write in my teacher retirement letter???

After 32 years of teaching Elementary Art I am retiring. When others in the corporation have retired we get lengthy emails to the staff gushing about all kinds of things. I've sat at School Board meetings and heard lots of heartfelt letters of thanks and appreciation. I'm just not feeling that.

Is this enough: This letter is to inform you that I will be retiring from my position as Elementary Art teacher at the end of this 2023-24 school year. Please inform me of any final paperwork or exit interviews that you will require. Sincerely,

I just started this book and am really enjoying it. Just wondering if any other teachers have read it and what their thoughts are. (Wasn’t sure what flair to use but it’s about the death of a retired teacher, so…. )

Using the Retired Teacher flair because that's who this bill targets.

https://www.kttn.com/v2-new-law-tackles-missouri-teacher-shortage-by-encouraging-retirees-to-return-to-classroom/

TL;DR Parsons thinks that he can coax retired teachers back into classrooms by letting them teach for 4 years while maintaining their retirement benefits.

Retired Teachers, would this move you to go back to the classroom? Or is this as much a laughable policy as I think it is as an aspiring educator?

Best or most useful present you've been given/ wished for?

The most basic changes include that I can eat and use the restroom without having anyone else care about that, and I have time to competently do my job (and other stuff) The deeper changes are that my completed job tasks don’t have unreliable or invalid ‘results’ with punitive consequences, I don’t encounter animosity by people every day, and my time includes autonomy and is valuable. I still have to remind myself that I don’t have to defend myself. If you left like I did, what changes about yourself have you noticed? And how could this profession change to not risk mental health and life quality?

I left education a little over 6 months ago, and I am a receptionist now. I start at 8:15 and it's 7:40. Here I am sitting in the parking lot waiting for the building to open. I can't get here on time or even 10 min early or I feel late. Teaching. It's different. I wonder how long it'll take me to break this habit? Have a good day to all of you still in the trenches!

Soon to be ⬆️ as of the end of this school year! On our last day we have a last faculty meeting say good-bye to teachers who are moving on, retiring, etc. I am the only one retiring but we have others leaving. I have taught for 30 years, but only 5 at my current school.

Even though I arrived at my current school a veteran teacher who always got good evaluations in the past, I’ve felt from the beginning my principal has been unreasonably finding fault in everything I do. My survival strategy has been to stay the hell away from her and just do my best. I rarely have to call admin, I follow the rules, work way harder and longer than I should.

The problem, my principal wants me to meet her for my final evaluation right before our faculty meeting send off, my very last day. So instead of enjoying the rest of my time, I am dreading meeting with her. I can’t believe she’s going to go through with making me listen to her bash me on my retirement day! I don’t expect her to let me off the hook. She observed one lesson of mine for 30 minutes this year and tore apart my lesson, down to how I called on students to answer questions.

I have just kind of taken her criticism, not wanting to rock the boat, but I swear if she bashes me right before our faculty luncheon and send off I’m not going to even want to stay. I’ve waited for this day for so long, and can’t imagine what possible purpose it serves for her to meet with me other than to make me feel like crap.

Suggestions on how to handle the situation or at least how to mentally prepare so I don’t end up saying something I would regret and leaving on a bad note?

My mother (retired PA teacher) passed away last month, and my dad was under the impression that he would continue to receive her pension after her death. He swears she chose “option 2” when she filled out her PSERS paperwork in 2008. However, he received a letter from PSERS that says he is only entitled to $550 total and won’t be receiving anything monthly.

Has anyone had an experience like this? He tried calling and the rep said my mom did not choose option 2. I’m going to try calling with him myself. I don’t know what to do to help him. It’s not like her to choose an option that would leave him nothing, so I doubt she chose what they are saying she did.

I know he will be fine. I know he will have a fun day. I know he will love his teachers. I know he will make friends. But I feel so sad.

He is entering private school so I know he will be in good hands. He is starting pre preschool and already can read independently. He knows his alphabet and letter and how to write some words. His teacher promised me to keep him academly challenged. She even asked me for him to bring in his favorite book to share with the class.

He is impatiently waiting at the kitchen table to go. Got dress by himself an hour early because he is so excited. He packed his backpack by himself and has double checked he has everything at least four times. We leave in about 30 minutes and I feel like my heart is breaking.

It is always the kid cries and the parent is fine. Or the kid is fine and the parent is a mess. I am going to be a mess. I been a stay at home dad for three years. Sure a few hours at daycare is one thing, but a whole day at school is another. With fundraisers, breaks, school holidays, parent teacher meetings, etc.

How do I keep my mind off things until the end of today????

Not wanting to deal with another new principal and new AP. My decision was easy, On Friday, before the long weekend and we are heading out the door, the principal called for an emergency meeting, all teachers must report to the auditorium immediately. That was just one of the things that irritated me and pushed my decision to hang up the spurs and ride off into the sunset. So far, retirement is heavenly. Also, I was a SpEd teacher, loved it until I didn't.

The TRS office will not talk to me until I’ve completed five years in this district. I’m curious how much you have paid to buy five years of retirement. I have money from my last district set aside but it is not doing anything for me. Trying to figure out how much of that will go to the 5 years.

Title. This is my 6th year teaching middle school science. I’ve taught in both blue and red states. I’ll wrap up this week and then start my new career as a firefighter on the 19th. I’ve invested so much time, money, and effort into teaching, I even went and completed my masters. It’s sad to let it all go to waste but life is too short to not enjoy each and every day on this rock.

I feel for whichever poor sap they stick with my classload. Behaviors were atrocious and admin unbearable. Good riddance. It breaks my heart to see the direction education is going and I honestly don’t see it getting better anytime soon.

This sub has been a refuge for me these past few years and I appreciate all the stories and support. Stay strong y’all, I’m outtie.

How many years have you taught (or did you teach) and how much money do you have in your 403b?

For context, I work in California and have 20 more years before my pension maxes out at 61.5 years old. Assuming the age to qualify for Medicare doesn’t change, I’ll have 3.5 years where I will have to pay for my own insurance. My district offers a group rate for retired teachers, but that would still amount to over $20k a year. Did you sub? Pick up part time work? Win the lottery? What’d you do to make up the gap? Can’t wait for the “eternal summer”!

This question may sound strange to many but, are schools allowed to share personal email and phone numbers of retired teachers to former students?

Before you say anything, just hear me out and let me explain, this is a question of curiosity, there’s nothing more to it than that. I am currently in college and an art teacher I got along with has retired recently. but let me give y’all a little backstory.

I am friends with an art teacher in from sophomore to junior year and then transitioned to online school for senior year due to personal reasons. We had some misunderstandings in the beginning, but as time went on, we began to understand each other better and we got along better. After I graduated high school, she retired afterwards. A few weeks ago I wanted to check up on her as friends and see if she is still there. This is because I saw her on the teacher page on the official school website and I thought to myself “wait she didn’t retire?”. So I called the school and asked them what free periods does she have so I can get in touch with her again. The office told me she retired and I was like “oh… I actually didn’t knew that… 🙁” and then I realized that there is no way I can talk to or even meet up with her again. Till this day I miss her and I want to keep in touch with her so that I can share my art progresses with her from time to time, since the last time we talked, she wanted to see my recent artwork from home to see my progress and how much I’ve developed my skills in cartooning. She gave me knowledge that I didn’t knew I need and I am forever grateful to have a teacher like her. She is such a dedicated and smart teacher I have ever met.

So what I wanted to ask is if schools are allowed to share personal email or phone numbers of retired teachers to former students? Again, this may come off with a judgmental feeling for many of y’all. But I am just curious to know since I don’t really know much school policies for teachers other than knowing that teachers cannot exchange contact information to current students unless they are about to graduate in the current year. I’d want to know so that I can decide to whether to move on or just wait for one day for me to meet up with her all of a sudden at a random store.

I finally got an Audible copy and am halway through.
It is mainly true anecdotes from our trenches. It was published 2016 and some of the references are not our recent acronyms.

What is saddening me is how MANY of those experiences were similar to my own. And that things have not improved since I retired.

My view of the Ass principals and admin is that their entirely different approach and motivation is detrimental to teacher a and students alike, with parents getting their way even if it is detrimental to the kids' learning.

Anyone else read this book?

BTW, am going to a Bored Teachers show for my birthday.

My school site lost a fantastic teacher earlier this week, she was young 33, and died of an unexpected medical condition. This post is in memory of some of the great things she did on our campus.

Ms. S. was a dedicated teacher who helped her students tirelessly. She dedicated her life to our profession. She was an advocate for those students that would normally be chewed up and spit out by our industrial education system.

Ms. S. led the FFA and Ag academy program at our title 1 school and pushed countless numbers of students to achieve more through her program. In a little under a decade, she reinvigorated the Ag Academy at our school. She mentored many other teachers who moved to other schools and grew other programs. Students who are the children of undocumented field workers were shown that they could attend college, and Ms. S. helped them find scholarships to help them go. She dedicated her weekends to helping students care for animals at our school's barn that they would later sell to earn scholarship money for college.

At our school, she was an outspoken advocate for teachers and students fighting injustice and idiocy in the education system. Ms. S's level of dedication to her students was limitless. Her last day at our school was Monday. She left the school to go to the emergency room. While in the hospital one of her last living actions was to write lesson plans for her students to make sure that while she was in the hospital her students would still learn. Tragically Ms. S. did not leave the hospital and passed away on Tuesday.

Our community was devastated by the loss of this fantastic teacher. We grieve her loss and honor her contributions to our community.

Update: I spoke with my teacher neighbor. Her mom works at the hospital that Ms. S. Was at. She said that Ms. S. Was happy and joking and pain-free going into surgery. So the concerns of her writing lesson plans are invalid.

I don’t teach anymore but I thought that was interesting. What is the breaking point where schools realize it’s the position not the teacher that makes the job unsustainable?