Why I decided to stay teaching.

[@Niamirismom]

I tried to walk away too. When teaching is your calling, you can't walk away. Your students are very blessed to have you. ♡

[@debbierudtke]

Yay! Great teachers like you are needed in the classroom! I don't think I could ever give up teaching. Teaching is so hard but so fun and the rewards are so great!

[@debbierudtke]

Yes! I'm signed up for your session! :)

[@TopTeachingTasks]

Just want to say, I love your videos! I am a new TPT seller from New Zealand! Your students are blessed that you chose to stay teaching! I am learning so much from all of your videos.

[@laflame3417]

You are hilarious and seem to have a big, beautiful, heart. Thank you for sharing and being down to earth. I'm sure that all your kiddos love you. Thanks again😄

[@angelaharwell6723]

I started alternative seating last year (mid-year). I teach first and it was perfect for my little wiggle worms! I had one low table w/ rugs on the floor, one high table for standing (or sitting) and two regular tables. I am so glad that I did it! And oops I forgot to ask my principal....but she loved it! Good luck! And yes, post pics!!

[@penatexas]

I'm new to the TPT world and you're an inspiration!

[@jamieraemakes]

OMG I had this happen this year, except I was a first responder at the accident and had to report with the police. 3 of my kids were critically injured. I have never seen anything like that before so I freaked out, but had to act calm with my kids.... OMG. I hope no one else has to go through that.

[@Brittanythediaryofateacher]

Wow! Glory to God, those kids were saved by grace. Congratulations on your decision.

[@standincub]

Love your videos! You pump me up. Seriously. You really get me excited about finishing my degree and starting on the path to teaching!! Make more videos please!

[@princess72315]

Loved this video...I am in the teacher program and would love to observe your classroom ❤️

[@Wannabecrafting247]

Thank you so much for sharing your heart!

[@courtneyc156]

Omg I just love you and your personality !!! Thinking of starting a TPT account and have been binge watching your channel!!! Xoxo

[@StephanieMcConnell]

I love watching your videos. I have trouble saying rural too!

[@mercedesyay]

Stephanie McConnell i speak 2 languages and can't say it in either one lol

[@tybojunke]

Dang girl, you made me cry and I live here! See you soon.

[@tybojunke]

I live in Orlando, not Georgia. The last part of all the bad things that happened recently you referred to made me tear up. Hope to meet you at the conference.

[@tybojunke]

Oh, and I can't find that book you were reading... 13 habits of Highly Effective People. Who is the author?

[@tybojunke]

ha ha... no your not, your videos are inspiring! Keep it up. I have watched a lot on TpT, to help me get started and yours gets me motivated. I'll get the book. I did see the one that said 7, but thought maybe you had 5 more. :) (The title for your next video)

[@iheartcandra]

I LOVE this! New subbie :-D You are so funny !! Thank you for posing videos, I'm an aspiring educator, your content is valued!

[@Nieshablessed]

i love your intro is literally made me smile

[@anabanana5009]

Please please please show your classroom setup when you do it in August.

[@marisolpadilla3871]

You are such a sweet and funny person! Great videos!

[@bottle17528]

"I'm not a crier at all" but I cried smh.......

[@ashleykelleher1811]

Do you need a copyright for TPT? I read the copyright blurb on TPT and not sure if I understand it.

[@SPACECORE]

All material you created is technically copyrighted by nature. Any material you use that is created by somebody else must be used with the written consent of the creator and usually the author of the work has to be credited. Always consult a copyright attorney or entertainment lawyer first though. You could get a cease and desist at best for using material that was not created by you. They can also sue to take anything from a small percentage to all of the money you made from the sales of the item that contained the protected object.

[@sbrown8937]

You are adorable!. I love your personLity!

[@BeautyAndBrainsGirls]

So terrible ! So sorry to hear that

[@aprildae8930]

I totally love your vibe! You are my new teacher fave! Thanks for sharing all your TPT knowledge. It's inspiring me to jump right in to the deep end. I'm @gravygrades on Instagram and I'm headed to follow you now! Keep shining!

[@SarahWheeleeTravels]

Love your spirit and your videos! Stinking cute

[@jazzminewilson8610]

I teach 8th grade too! This is my first year and I am excited and terrified. What advice, strategies do you have that could help me in my first year?

[@onemercilessming1342]

Jazzmine Wilson--This is a retired teacher dispensing information, NOT advice. The best years I EVER had teaching were the years I taught 8th grade in a K-8 school and 6-8 in a middle school. I found that middle school-aged students were much like kindergartners on massive doses of hormones. They wanted very much to please their teacher, but they were a little scared and a lot unsure of themselves. Adolescence plus looming high school entrance is a lot to ask of a child--and yes, they are still children, after all. Rule 1: Mean what you say--and say what you mean. Don't lie to them--when you're wrong (and you will be from time to time), admit it, apologize, and move on. You are the adult in the room--act like it (called modeling), and expect them to act like grownups one moment and toddlers the next, for they will. Rule 2: Set high standards for behavior and academics on day one; they'll grouse and complain and whine, but they will live up to them (to the best of their ability). Involve them as much as possible in the design and structure of the class and the classroom. Rule 3--Remember that many of them come from violent, abusive, drug/alcohol-riven, dysfunctional, and/or single parent homes. Some of them live in abject poverty (I had students whose homes were cardboard boxes under a freeway overpass; I had one girl whose mother pimped her out for drug money. CPS can end up being on a first-name basis with you in some districts). None of them are responsible for their circumstances, yet they have to live with them. Help them understand that a good education is just about the only escape from poverty--a sign my own public school teachers had over their doorways decades ago. Your room is probably the only safe and sane environment they will have during the year you have them. Rule 4--Have an outlet for stress--for them and for you as well. Being an adolescent is stressful, but so is teaching them. Provide a time-out place for them to enter voluntarily when they are over-whelmed. Your stress management coping mechanisms are important as well. I wasn't a perfect teacher. No one is. However, decades later, I STILL have students who call me on the phone to tell me what they are doing with their lives. That first 8th grade class we had in the K-8 school (we were a team of 5 language arts, math, science, social studies teachers)? EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM went on to higher education. Today they are doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, patient advocates, engineers, architects, etc. THAT is why you teach. THAT is why you continue to teach.

[@geraflores6204]

1 st!