Caffeine, I Owe You An Apology

Today was a good day. It didn’t really start out that way. It has been a long week and I could barely get myself out of bed this morning. I was so desperate that when I got to school this morning the first thing I did was run to the vending machine to buy any caffeinated beverage that was still in stock. Considering some of the harsh comments I made about caffeine in my last post, I am quite ashamed of myself. But I must admit it made me feel so much better.

And things just kept getting better.

First Period:
My first period class continued an unprecedented streak of three days of good behavior. I gave them a review assignment (they are taking a test tomorrow) and most of them actually did it! This is rare, indeed.

Second Period:
My planning period. Two students were in my room taking a re-test because they were trying to pull up their grade. Seeing a student actually care about his or her grades and take responsibility is enough to make you cry, and here were two in the same room at the same time! What are the odds? Another student hung around after first period because I was helping her use the computer to do research for her History project. When she was done she said to me, “You are definitely my favorite teacher! You always do so much to help me.” And she wasn’t just sucking up. Hold on a sec…I think I’ve gotten something in my eye…sniff.

Third Period:
Sadly, my once outstanding 3rd period class continues its “E! True Hollywood Story”-esque descent into becoming the worst class ever.

Fourth Period:
Lunch

Fifth Period:
These kids are rock stars. Every single one of them has been focused and working hard this week. And they crack me up.

Sixth Period:
Meeting. Blah.

Seventh Period:
So this class could be better. They have come a long way, though. But I still have a few problem children in here. There is one girl in this class who never does anything. And I mean she does absolutely nothing in class. She doesn’t even pretend. While the other students were working, I had somewhat of a heart-to-heart with her today. I was trying to challenge her to do something, and I must admit I was a little annoyed with her. I asked her why she was even here if she was never going to do any work. She said she didn’t want to be counted absent and sent to court. So I asked her why she would want to sit her all day and waste her time not doing anything. If you’re going to be here, you might as well do something, right? I’m probably not going to win any teacher of the year awards with this type of argument, but so what. Her friends labeled the conversation as an intervention. I think for a moment I might have seen her thinking about some of the things I was saying, but then she said her mom is just going to take her out of school and let her get her GED.

During the same period, a girl from my 3rd period class came in to ask me to sign her withdrawal form. She’s dropping out to get her GED. I was sad. I told her good luck and shook her hand. She shook my hand, but then she gave me a hug and said I was “a cool teacher” and she would miss me. She has never been the best student and never put forth a lot of effort, but we always got along well, so I was glad to hear her say that. Her and her friend made me a Christmas card with a cartoon drawing of me on it, and I showed her that I still had the card on my desk.

Eighth Period
Last period of the day. Always a struggle. ‘Nuff said.

I stayed after school to finish writing a test, which means I have nothing to do tonight. I mean, sure, I always have lots of grading to do, but I think I would rather get some sleep tonight.