She's Trippin'

Today was the first day back from Spring Break and while I enjoyed spending time with friends and family and relaxing, I was kind of glad to be back. The morning started off well and the kids seemed like they remembered how they SHOULD act in class. But, something happened at some point and the kids started acting like they did before break...non-stop talking, arguing, tattling, playing at inappropriate times, etc.

I did have three kiddos absent today and if I had chosen who was absent, I wouldn't have chosen those three. I can name you three others that I would be very excited to teach for a day without (all three at once would be a bonus, but impossible). Unfortunately, the three I would pick NEED to be at school. They NEED to be at school for the academics AND social skills.
I have one student who I have a very hard time liking. (see previous blog, "Back to work...") I strive to be a good teacher who is fair and nice to every student, but when he doesn't listen when I tell him something four times and then argues and says I'm trippin', it's hard. I know that it's important to give him a fair chance at everything, but I find it very difficult. This child does everything in his power (without even knowing it) to make me dislike him. He truly needs someone in his life who cares and gives him stability, but when he doesn't even try to respect others and myself, it makes it that much harder. This situation is probably the hardest I've faced so far as a teacher.