Yeah, I am certified all right. I have taught elementary (kindergarten through 5th gr.) art for a long time. I love these kids. They crack me up (almost) every day.

hey floatingslowly, I dare you to call in to say you can't come to work because you're masturbating. heehee

I have turned down a job offer with the reply 'I'm actually just not ready to have a job right now'

does that count?

wtf would I do if one of my high school kids one day comes in with a 'sick note' saying this?

"wasn't in class last week because I was at home jerking off, sorry.

-student."

that would lead to severe life disruption. it's hard to find a job or I would take you up on the dare.

last week, it was 2 scoops of coffee grounds neat for $10. my minions were attempting to get me to shave my head today for another $10. it was hard to turn down, but I had to. my strength lies there.

phoenix, they can't teach you that kind of stuff in books. I was really nervous when I started teaching. Even tho I had all the "required" education, I really didn't know shit. Understand that it's unrealistic for you to be able to connect with EVERYONE in the room. Unless you're the pope.

yeh, I'm sure you're right. I guess more than anything I'd want to really try to enable everyone to get SOMETHING out of it, even if they weren't on my level. Whilst trying my best to not let people ruin everyone elses environment. I'm sure experience helps a lot.. But then I wouldn't want to turn into one of those teachers who just don't give a fuck anymore.

How long have you been teaching? How long before you started to feel comfortable with dealing with so many personalities at once?

i called in sick because i was still on vacation in another state. i was supposed to go in on a friday after having wed and thurs off, but instead i drove to my parents house on wed morning and didnt get back into town until sunday night.

I've been teaching for 12 years. It was a couple of years before I started to calm down and figure out the deal:
Enter the classroom like you know YOUR shit.
Enter the room with a look that says you are wise to THEIR shit.

Classroom control is EVERYTHING at first. Gaining their trust and respect is right up there, too. Because if they are not willing to meet you halfway, then it doesn't matter HOW much you know. It gets better (not easier) the longer you teach. I love teaching. I don't ever wanna be the teacher that doesn't give a fuck anymore. But it does happen to the best of us.

i called in sick to go see Sonic Youth.

because i was too wasted to go to work

Many moons ago, I collapsed at a Terminal Cheesecake gig, and skipped work to go and see my GP. Turns out I just over-heated. End result - day off work for me to go and doss.

hahaha awesome.

haha wut?

Two extreme reasons:

One time, because I was getting married, and told them I wouldn't be in for a few days..... I got fired.

Another, I actually went in and tried to work, but was tripping on acid from the night before. I didn't make it through the day. I had to leave early on "sick". I hung out around there though, mostly drinking orange juice because my ride was still working.

mm acid

j'espère que tout va bien. vous faites mon coeur chante. je t'aime.

Nah, I turned down a management job at a major theater because I was having a good time making a lot less money as a dj.

Is "because I didn't want to work that day" a bad reason? It feels like any reason would come after that in order to excuse it, so what if I admit there is no reason?

i don't think i've ever skipped for a more ridiculous reason than being wasted.

but it's happened twice that i skipped a last day at work somewhere to go to a music festival.