(dis)respect

I am always amazed at how kids act these days. I have been substitute teaching for years and every now and then there is one kid who feels that rules don't apply to them. I don't have many rules as a sub...no cell phones and no profanity. Not difficult. However, I seem to have to remind my students that the classroom is not a place for profanity, especially not towards me.

Today I had the wonderful experience of being called a bitch after telling my student (numerous times) to put away their cell phones. I even looked at the girl and said that I would hate to have to take someone's cell phone so put them away. Then she called me a bitch. WOW. Is that really necessary? This never happens in my art classes. There are times I question my own excitement for teaching.

preview to student teaching....

I have been substitute teaching for the past two years. I have seen the good, the bad, and the stupid. I have taught art, biology, drama, economics, social studies, health and government. I have taught in middle school (hope to never do that again) and high school. I have had students take referrals over changing their seats. I have been told to f@*! off for taking a student's phone. I have had students come to class with casts on - when asked what happened, I was told the student was stabbed. I have been given excuses of tardiness due to fighting ninjas to save a princess. After watching a film on the influenza epidemic, I had a student tell me he wasn't feeling well due to emphysema "like in the film." None of this will prepare me for what is in store for me in the next 20 weeks (starting the 25th of January). I will have three 3-d art classes. Mine. Every day. For 20 weeks.