A Jill in Illinois
@jillinois.bsky.social
Born in Melvin. My dad killed Nazis. My birth was announced on Hee-Haw.
she/her
Progressive, Bi, GenX. Middle school science teacher. I look like a meek middle-aged Midwest mom. Chaotic good.
she/her
Progressive, Bi, GenX. Middle school science teacher. I look like a meek middle-aged Midwest mom. Chaotic good.
Man I just LOVE teaching the periodic table to my students. The organization and the way it communicates so effectively. #LessonPlanSunday
*happy sigh*
*happy sigh*
February 1, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Man I just LOVE teaching the periodic table to my students. The organization and the way it communicates so effectively. #LessonPlanSunday
*happy sigh*
*happy sigh*
Two little boys just went charging past my house with plastic sleds. A moment later, mom followed up, towing the big sled behind her.
They're heading to the grade school next door, which has the smallest, gentlest slope imaginable.... but in this town it might as well be K2.
They're heading to the grade school next door, which has the smallest, gentlest slope imaginable.... but in this town it might as well be K2.
January 31, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Two little boys just went charging past my house with plastic sleds. A moment later, mom followed up, towing the big sled behind her.
They're heading to the grade school next door, which has the smallest, gentlest slope imaginable.... but in this town it might as well be K2.
They're heading to the grade school next door, which has the smallest, gentlest slope imaginable.... but in this town it might as well be K2.
Reposted by A Jill in Illinois
An amazing MN Librarian assembled us a reading list to add to the website so people can do more than donate, they can learn to organize in their communities.
standwithminnesota.com/read
standwithminnesota.com/read
Organizing Reading List — Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory
standwithminnesota.com
January 31, 2026 at 4:57 PM
An amazing MN Librarian assembled us a reading list to add to the website so people can do more than donate, they can learn to organize in their communities.
standwithminnesota.com/read
standwithminnesota.com/read
Tuff, right? That’s what it says? Taff isn’t a word, is it?
January 30, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Tuff, right? That’s what it says? Taff isn’t a word, is it?
Reposted by A Jill in Illinois
Today in Totally Random Songs the 7th graders want to hear:
Juke Box Hero by Foreigner.
?????????
Juke Box Hero by Foreigner.
?????????
January 27, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Today in Totally Random Songs the 7th graders want to hear:
Juke Box Hero by Foreigner.
?????????
Juke Box Hero by Foreigner.
?????????
Kid hears a few beats of the bass line and yells "IS THIS PSYCHO KILLER?!?"
The kids are alright, I tell you what.
The kids are alright, I tell you what.
January 27, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Kid hears a few beats of the bass line and yells "IS THIS PSYCHO KILLER?!?"
The kids are alright, I tell you what.
The kids are alright, I tell you what.
They’re supposed to be working on climate change posters.
January 27, 2026 at 4:53 PM
They’re supposed to be working on climate change posters.
Busted out the 80s playlist for my classes today. I didn't want to go to The Well too soon.
But surely the anxieties of my adolescence will *whisk* me away from the anxieties of adulthood....
But surely the anxieties of my adolescence will *whisk* me away from the anxieties of adulthood....
January 27, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Busted out the 80s playlist for my classes today. I didn't want to go to The Well too soon.
But surely the anxieties of my adolescence will *whisk* me away from the anxieties of adulthood....
But surely the anxieties of my adolescence will *whisk* me away from the anxieties of adulthood....
We watch cnn10 in my Advisory (homeroom). I gave students the option of skipping the piece on Alex Pretti this morning, but they asked to watch and were definitely paying attention.
January 27, 2026 at 3:24 PM
We watch cnn10 in my Advisory (homeroom). I gave students the option of skipping the piece on Alex Pretti this morning, but they asked to watch and were definitely paying attention.
Reposted by A Jill in Illinois
We’re still snowed in here. County website says the plows will reach our street sometime this afternoon.
You know what that means! It’s time for a #SharksNearMe open call!
Do you have any shark stuff in your house? Clothing? Art? Water bottle or laptop stickers?
Post ‘em here.
You know what that means! It’s time for a #SharksNearMe open call!
Do you have any shark stuff in your house? Clothing? Art? Water bottle or laptop stickers?
Post ‘em here.
January 26, 2026 at 1:15 PM
We’re still snowed in here. County website says the plows will reach our street sometime this afternoon.
You know what that means! It’s time for a #SharksNearMe open call!
Do you have any shark stuff in your house? Clothing? Art? Water bottle or laptop stickers?
Post ‘em here.
You know what that means! It’s time for a #SharksNearMe open call!
Do you have any shark stuff in your house? Clothing? Art? Water bottle or laptop stickers?
Post ‘em here.
Reposted by A Jill in Illinois
I'm at an 82 day lobbying streak with @resist.bot .
Don't have the emotional energy to call your officials over the weekend?
You can still remind them of their jobs!
Don't have the emotional energy to call your officials over the weekend?
You can still remind them of their jobs!
January 24, 2026 at 3:18 PM
I'm at an 82 day lobbying streak with @resist.bot .
Don't have the emotional energy to call your officials over the weekend?
You can still remind them of their jobs!
Don't have the emotional energy to call your officials over the weekend?
You can still remind them of their jobs!
I'm sorry, but everyone should teach at some point. This is the best job. They just announced school is closed tomorrow on the PA and you could hear kids in other classrooms screaming with joy.
January 22, 2026 at 8:39 PM
I'm sorry, but everyone should teach at some point. This is the best job. They just announced school is closed tomorrow on the PA and you could hear kids in other classrooms screaming with joy.
One of the best feelings in the whole wide world is telling a room of 12 year olds that tomorrow is a snow day and we're not even attempting e-learning.
I wish I could bottle that up.
I wish I could bottle that up.
January 22, 2026 at 8:34 PM
One of the best feelings in the whole wide world is telling a room of 12 year olds that tomorrow is a snow day and we're not even attempting e-learning.
I wish I could bottle that up.
I wish I could bottle that up.
Reposted by A Jill in Illinois
GOD: Gabriel, I really dig this band that's going to be formed in a few billion years, called the Beatles. This song, "Norwegian Wood?" Fantastic.
GABRIEL: Oh, Beat-les. Yeah, clever name. I'll make sure Norway has good wood.
GOD: And that canary you were working on? I have some design notes.
GABRIEL: Oh, Beat-les. Yeah, clever name. I'll make sure Norway has good wood.
GOD: And that canary you were working on? I have some design notes.
I just discovered that this bird - the Gloster Canary - exits and it has changed me.
January 22, 2026 at 5:25 PM
GOD: Gabriel, I really dig this band that's going to be formed in a few billion years, called the Beatles. This song, "Norwegian Wood?" Fantastic.
GABRIEL: Oh, Beat-les. Yeah, clever name. I'll make sure Norway has good wood.
GOD: And that canary you were working on? I have some design notes.
GABRIEL: Oh, Beat-les. Yeah, clever name. I'll make sure Norway has good wood.
GOD: And that canary you were working on? I have some design notes.
Kid in my 9th hour pulled a packet of hot cocoa mix out of her backpack and asked if I had any hot water. I have two sinks in the classroom and I pulled out:
hot water kettle
styrofoam cups
spoons
AND (of course)
mini marshmallows.
"You must be an awesome mom!"
hot water kettle
styrofoam cups
spoons
AND (of course)
mini marshmallows.
"You must be an awesome mom!"
January 21, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Kid in my 9th hour pulled a packet of hot cocoa mix out of her backpack and asked if I had any hot water. I have two sinks in the classroom and I pulled out:
hot water kettle
styrofoam cups
spoons
AND (of course)
mini marshmallows.
"You must be an awesome mom!"
hot water kettle
styrofoam cups
spoons
AND (of course)
mini marshmallows.
"You must be an awesome mom!"
Have put signs up saying "Ask me about Cow Burps"
January 20, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Have put signs up saying "Ask me about Cow Burps"
Reposted by A Jill in Illinois
Not only is this the correct way for elected Democrats to address the current moment, but it will inspire me to donate to a campaign more than a thousand texts and emails ever will.
I need to apologize for something I did. The @bostonherald.com is right, there is no place for profanities in politics.
January 16, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Not only is this the correct way for elected Democrats to address the current moment, but it will inspire me to donate to a campaign more than a thousand texts and emails ever will.
Teaching the kids about cow burps and methane as part of climate change today.
Thank god middle schoolers can burp on command when I point at them.
Thank god middle schoolers can burp on command when I point at them.
January 16, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Teaching the kids about cow burps and methane as part of climate change today.
Thank god middle schoolers can burp on command when I point at them.
Thank god middle schoolers can burp on command when I point at them.
The kids are mostly over 67, BUT they just noticed that the element with atomic number 67 has an abbreviation of HO (Holmium) and they can't stop laughing.
January 16, 2026 at 2:14 PM
The kids are mostly over 67, BUT they just noticed that the element with atomic number 67 has an abbreviation of HO (Holmium) and they can't stop laughing.
And today in surprising songs my 7th graders requested, Knights in White Satin by Moody Blues!
January 14, 2026 at 9:03 PM
And today in surprising songs my 7th graders requested, Knights in White Satin by Moody Blues!
Every so often, an adult will ask if kids “…still make the cool S.”
Yes. Yes they do. Behold a Stüssy S on today’s work.
Yes. Yes they do. Behold a Stüssy S on today’s work.
January 14, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Every so often, an adult will ask if kids “…still make the cool S.”
Yes. Yes they do. Behold a Stüssy S on today’s work.
Yes. Yes they do. Behold a Stüssy S on today’s work.