On Friday I received my first apple of the school year. I also received a free Starbucks from another teacher and so I thought, this is going to be a good day.....
That original thought of a "good day" quickly faded as I started to greet my students. Tears and obvious bad attitudes entered through my door. Quickly I had to assess the situations and get the whole class on track. One student was crying because their sibling got injured that morning, another one was in a terrible mood because they didn't get breakfast, one girl with a special circumstance was accidently pushed by another student, and so on....
Everyday that I come to school I have to prepare myself for a potential war zone. Yes, my students know the routines and expected behaviors but it is a different world where I am. I did not ask to be their mom, dad, counselor, nutritionist, guard, but this is what the Lord has given me. There is no doubt that the Lord specifically put me in this school but sometimes, like on Friday, I know that there is no way that I can do this job without the Lord.
Slowly my skin is starting to thicken. I am now used to being yelled at by parents and how to quickly resolve misunderstandings. I am still learning how to deal with absolutely horrible behavior, outright disrespect from students, while hiding behind a smile. There is no sending a student to the principal, sending them to the office, or switching classes. They are in my class and I have to find a way to get them to conform to the class. Teaching is the easy part. It is everything else that enters my door at 7:30 am.
I did get an apple on Friday.....
