Trials and Tribulations

I am still gaining the respect of many of my students. They know I have some power, but are also aware that I am not a full-fledged teacher. Mr. Dorray's homeroom class has silent lunch for two weeks, so he has been taking them back to the classroom for lunch. I stay with the 2nd Academic class in the cafeteria and walk them back.  It's too much to write, but I will say that they were not behaving. This includes: throwing food, not following directions, talking back, one boy pinching a girl's butt, not being quiet when told to be in the hallways.

I told Mr. Dorray when we got back to the classroom and he lectured the students. He told them to listen to me. He told them that they had to behave. He lectured the food throwers and was VERY firm about it (the student who was inappropriately touching the girl will get a referral).  He told them that I was there to learn and become a teacher myself and that he would not let them discourage me. They took him seriously. And him sticking up for me made me feel better.

When the next class (3rd Academic) started, he reminded them (not a reprimand) that I was there for a purpose and that they must listen to me, follow my directions and make me feel welcome. They responded with a round of applause for me and I bowed. The applause went on for a while and we had to tell them to stop (I like this class).

Two very different experiences in a very long day.

Silent Lunch

A common punishment for students who misbehave is silent lunch. They must sit with the teachers, away from their classmates. They are supposed to remain silent, however, many times they talk with the teachers. I am always interested in how they got silent lunch, and they are usually eager to tell me why they did not deserve silent lunch.

stock photo, not the SMS cafeteria