I've read some there but have never posted. The format is a turn off. I don't have the spare time to post much, but I usually do come to read every day or so.
Over the last 8 months, I met my DH, got married, prepped a house to sell, and did a major addition to a second house. I'm lucky to get anything done. I'm home today with a stomach bug. I slept all day yesterday. At least I've been up today.
I almost forgot who you were on here! Got you friended on FB but forgot the screenname connection. Hope you are feeling better.
Anyone else see this thread pop up a lot and get the earworm of "Where have all the good men gone, and...(however else it goes from there)"?
On Proteacher, it doesn't seem as straight forward as this forum. It might be because I just browse once or twice a year.
I stopped reading when they changed this site to the new format and most of the people that I was friends with on here, I am friends (the old original posters) with on Facebook and that is how I keep up with them.
I'm an old timer, lol. I got away from posting when I quit teaching. I used to read a lot and comment now and then, but I feel like I don't have the expertise to comment much, plus I just get too busy and don't think about it. I have a group of fellow old timer friends on Facebook, and every now and then they post something that makes me come back to read. Today, for example, I had to stop in and view the latest crazy! Ah, the good old days. When you couldn't F5 fast enough to refresh the threads because they were so active. Back in the summer of '06, '07, '08, '09...
I think in general, the late 90s saw a 'boom' of online communities (chat rooms, forums, etc...) it has in recent years tapered off. I have been a member of another community forum with a chat room, a pretty big Christian one since 2004. The past few years, since Facebook became more popular for groups, messaging and chat- the traditional forum/chat has went down in popularity. I don't think it's any one specific reason, but likely an amalgamation of reasons. Personally, I enjoy the forum here- but don't post as much as I could. I get a bit burnt out on discussion board posts in general because all my online classes seem to require an inordinate amount of them. Ugh.
I haven't ever posted a lot, but have visited frequently over the years. I'm currently staying home with my baby (born over the summer), so I haven't been here as often. I do check in now and then though to stay current with the teaching world.
I like to read everyday before I head to bed within the past year. I used to lurk more than post before then. I definitely began posting more this past year than my previous 8 years on here especially this summer. This past week I was MIA, hence me catching up on old threads, because it was a very stressful week at work. I'm on Proteacher as well, different username. Fun fact about me my username is the same on every single website/forum etc EXCEPT this one. I think when I made this account I didn't want people who know my username to find me posting on it because I wanted some kind of privacy. Because if you know my extremely unique username you can find out ANYTHING about me its scary. You can't google search my real name and find me but my typical username, forget it, plastered all over the Internet. I also lurk more on Proteacher, I go through spurts of posting on there. I read through threads about once a week or whenever I remember I haven't looked in a while and if I'm bored. But here I read just about daily.
That usually describes me exactly. Kind of recently, I'd been posting more over there, but that tapered off again.
I think it was the fallout from the "battle" between AtoZ and The Subbing Forum that Shall Not Be Named that helped me find my way here in the first place. Perfect timing, considering I landed a full-time gig just as they would have kicked me off there anyway.
I started drifting away when I started dating my now-husband. That was 4 years ago--in that time, we got engaged, spent a year long-distance, got married, bought a house, and had 2 babies. Over those years, I frequented more forums/sites related to those goings-on. Also, as others have mentioned, I was more experienced in the classroom, and the tone of the forum changed.
I try to check in and read regularly, but my posting goes in spurts. Sometimes there are lots of conversations that I am interested and other times it seems they all sound the same. I also find that if I agree with the posts in the discussion, I don't chime in since I share my opinion with posts that are already there. I also find that the tone of the posts have changed - more people posting about wanting to quit. It's hard to read, because teaching is challenging and so many posters seem surprised about that! As a Canadian, I love getting the American perspective. And truthfully, it's made me very thankful for our system.
I was wondering you had been too. Those of us not on social media keep up here or email in or PM's. Lol
I think there's more to it than that. I see the following types of posts / posters (although one person can belong to several categories depending on their moods, etc) - need guidance in what to do (teaching, jobs, etc) - needs to vent about horrible situations - looking for ideas in general or specifically (teaching, jobs, etc) - just want to socialize and chit chat about non-teaching things (to take a break from work related stuff) - offers advice to situations - listens to vents and offers support - post nonsense things to anger others or stirs the spot and see how people react - has a one sided view, often attacks others and is not a pleasure to have on board,
I've been here for 5 years or so I think. I learned so much, I was just subbing, long term subbing and got so much advice. I will never forget the help I got fixing up my resume, and my cover letter that got me interviews and then got me the job I still have, 3 years later. And the ongoing support and advice. I try to stay away from drama and definitely don't like the personal attacks, but I've been known to respond in not kind terms, because .... well I don't like drama and personal attacks lol. There are people on this forum who can't turn to anyone for help, they come here to vent and ask what to do. They can't talk to their admin, other teachers, their family wouldn't understand, and they're trying to do a good job and they go to sleep crying. This is a great forum with many people wanting to help, but a lot seemed to have stopped posting because of the drama and attacks that is going on. (and that's only from a few people)
I have noticed many of the members I got to know early in my membership have disappeared. I don't know if they left or just changed their names, but I do miss their wisdom.
I posted quite often 3 years ago when I first started looking for full-time work. Once I got my first job, my posts mainly focused on classroom mgmt for middle schoolers... Fast forward 3 years, I started posting again because I was looking for a new job... Now, it's back to classroom mgmt for high schoolers...
I still come here to read every once in awhile, but don't check in every day like I have in past years. Obviously by the number of messages I have, I used to post quite a bit! kc~that was a fun summer!!
So much has changed in 7 years. I went from being an accidental classroom aide to full on teacher in the trenches. I owe so much professional development to this forum and continue to seek out new ideas and relationships.
While I have never been a prolific poster, I find this site to be more "tactical' than 'strategic" in scope. In other words, it's a great place to get ideas about a lesson plan for a specific topic or where to buy school supplies or how to decorate a bulletin board. While these things are of value, topics rarely seem to delve into the meatier issues around the profession that (imo) are more interesting. I find that most here have the attitude of soldiers in the Tennyson poem...i.e. "ours is not question why, ours is but to do or die" or wtte. I respect that mindset but find myself "questioning why" apparently more than most. WTBS, anyone have any good ideas for a lesson plan about solving quadratic equations with imaginary solutions?
I have been a member since before I was a teacher. I read often but post less and less. I know exactly the reason. Too many judgmental posters. When I first started posting here no matter what the subject you could always get great advice. Over the years too many of the posters have become so judgmental that it's not worth the time or the effort to post when all I want is "hug" or I feel your pain kind of response. I was just reading a post about how a teacher has to put up with too much crap from a parent and then an outside incident occurred and the people who responded where so hurtful and judgmental. Even a few of the "regulars" were just down right ugly to the OP. Things happen, we are all human and well we need assurance that we doing the best that we can given the circumstances. This forum used to be place were we could complain and feel each others pain because our spouses or SO just don't get it and now it's a place of judgment.
Have kids close their eyes and then tell them a quadratic equation. All of the solutions will end up being imaginary.
So I guess I'd challenge folks who come regularly but don't find interesting topics to post more. I think when those deeper issues are posted people do respond, and there is often interesting conversation. Sure, there are trolls, mean people, and people that don't get it, but it's online - you're going to get that. To the folks who are saying they just want support or reassurance, I guess I'd respond that that's fine, but clarify. Many do this by saying "Vent" in their post. Otherwise, to be honest, one reason I think education has stagnated in some respects is this culture that has built up of people wanting "support" from building leadership without included challenge, guidance, etc. I believe most of us are on this forum because we care about what we do and want to do it the best we can. Simply saying, "Aw, you're doing the best you can" doesn't always challenge us in the way that may be the most healthy. So, not disagreeing with you, but my experience on this forum is that if take most posts with a grain of salt, remember it's online, and discount the obvious distractions, you can get a pretty healthy balance of hugs and challenge here, both of which are important.
I've been on here since 2005. I still read a lot of the posts, but rarely comment anymore. There are some posters I genuinely miss seeing. It is good to see so many familiar names on this post.
