Worst day working...

[learnteach]

Gotta learn how to deal better with the yout (yes, that's the spelling I want, pronounced "Uncouth young idiots with poor manners") of the nation.

First day working for Kelly, and went to a JHS on the east side of San Jose. It was just set up to be wrong, from the moment I showed up--later than company policy--to the first class, which started insolent and tried for mutiny. How many times do you need to repeat "The work sheet will be turned in. There will be a closed book test. Sit down!"

Didn't help that this is the last day of school before the week long spring break. Didn't help that the weather there was PERFECT. Didn't help that the level of hormones in 8th grade is as extreme as I've ever seen. Didn't help that this school doesn't have teacher's aides who have the clue. Didn't help that I didn't know where the bathroom was, and after months of quiet, I got 6 phone calls while teaching. Ah, the timing. ESPECIALLY did not help that each class was about 2 hours long (long time to be locked together) and the middle class was a college prep class, so I saw students multiple sessions. The students from the first class were in the second class, where they then coached the students for the third class on how to piss me off...

Of course, it's all about me, right? Well, maintaining classroom discipline was. With High School, you can turn your back for a moment. Not with this younger class, if I wasn't on top of them they were trying to staple each others to the table, using the rulers as swords, writing "so and so is GAY" on the noteboards, perpetuation feuds, hitting each other, saying "I hope I get more boobs as I grow up" while cupping said body parts, towards the teacher (in is line of sight as he comes towards you), trying to make drug references that they know nothing about, asking to go get a drink of water that takes 10 minutes "because I don't like the fountain next to the classroom", to stealing each other's papers back and forth.

By the third class, I'd had it. I apologized for my bad mood, and laid it out: first time you act out, I'll let you know. Second time, I'll take action--move you, write you up, whatever. Third time, I call the office and send you to the principal.

Then, I was very clear and polite, never sat down, never stopped moving, stayed on my toes the whole two hours. Had to warn 5 students, move one to the far end of the classroom (he sulked ALL DAY and muttered obscenities). Opened the door to get some air, and boobie girl then spent 5 minutes getting boys on the playground 20 yards away to wave at her--nice being popular, I suppose--so I closed the doors, referencing to the fact that I had hoped for some adult behaviour (she was, btw, one of the members of the class who whined the most and turned in the most complete test). One student was whispering to others during the test, I told him if he spoke again, he would get a zero on his test--ah, the look of outrage! The universe, so unfair! He opened his mouth to complain, I raised my eyebrows. Smart kid, he got it, shut up.

At the end, I was laughing, but it really underscored the fact that I would rather teach people with some adult charactistics, rather than babysit children. Of course, it was the hardest possible start...

They've asked me to go back, and substitute in for PE...I don't really think so.

Still more fun than my best day as an SE; a number of students liked me (they always do). And this was my worst day of subbing, so far.

But I can clearly see why several teachers who I respect told me that subbing was the hardest part--it's not so bad when you can appeal to reason, but what 13-14 year old has any reason?

Comments

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

You want them for PE. Just make them run. The entire class. Tell them you're timing them in the mile run, and the first half of the class is practice.

[our-meg.livejournal.com]

Ooooh! Mean! I like it.

She's right, though. At least in PE, you can wear the loudmouths out, and if they complain that it's too hard, suggest they learn something indoor, like ballroom dancing.

Recent movies aside, I don't know of a single middle-schooler who wants to learn ballroom dancing.

I'll never catch them all.

[learnteach.livejournal.com]

And I'm really clear that they'll run everywhere. Nope.

[carbonphoenix.livejournal.com]

Kids are shits. The further away from middle school and high school I go, the more I realize that I really can't tolerate the little shits. And it's said, because I was exactly like them.

[carbonphoenix.livejournal.com]

said? I meant sad. Durr typing skillz

[channel6.livejournal.com]

Ah, the joys of adolescents.

A lesson I learned teaching sixth graders in outdoor ed: START by laying down some rules--i.e. your three strikes yer out thing. So what if they think you are a hard ass? Let them EARN some slack from you. Especially as a sub.

The three strikes thing is good. Most kids have dealt with this method and know it. Doesn't mean they still won't test you with it--but if you stick with it-you'll have less trouble.

A friend of mine teaches high school English. He simply doesn't put up with any crap. Third time he talks to a kid--off to the office they go. He's been doing it for 20 years. Works like a charm. You just have to be a badder ass than they are.

Kids are great--but we always have to remember they are KIDS. The job of childhood is learning to be an adult. Most learn by trial and error.

Glad you survived. It will get easier!

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

Being a hard ass is what got my mom the nickname "Rivet Eyes." But her classes behaved. She always said she started off being as strict as possible, and could loosen up later.

That was with the advantage of being full time, though. They kids learn you don't take any shit. Being a sub, it's always like the first day.

[ermine-rat.livejournal.com]

The sub gig is hard especially not knowing the kids, but you're not making lesson plans, status reports or grading papers.

You're right about starting out very strict, and loosen up as they deserve it.

[beanolc.livejournal.com]

Ah, the memories. I subbed once for another teacher to pick up some extra cash. The kids *knew* I was a regular teacher on campus, as they put it, but were still obnoxious. One girl insisted on using the epithet Butt Plug in reference to another. She didn't know what one was, but was smart enough to draw some conclusions.

Hope you treated yourself well when you got home.

[finickynarcane.livejournal.com]

I once had a conversation that went something like this...

Him: "I used to teach junior high."
me: "What did you teach?"
Him: "Manners."

[misagillian.livejournal.com]

I had the unenviable position of teaching typing to 7th and 8th graders one year. I was actually afraid of the assignment (it was a private school that had grades 1 - 8, and I had other duties other periods with the younger ones with whom I was more comfortable). I was actually amazed, though, that I was able to control them by doing much of what has been suggested or that you already did - I treated them like adults until they no longer deserved it and sent them out if it was required. They also gained rewards for finishing their exercises - they could play a computer game (these were old Mac SE's as I recall) if they satisfactorily completed the exercise. They tested their boundaries to see how far they could go, and they actually seemed to respond well to the discipline mixed with the friendliness. I was shocked.

As cvirtue said, though - it's much easier when you're not just there for one day to set those boundaries...

[light-hands.livejournal.com]

I was a Spanish major with a French minor in college, and I figured the only path for me at that point was to teach Jr. High or Highschool...I quite school! I figured I didn't like them when I was *in* those grades, I sure as hell wasn't going to teach them! LOL.

Good luck with any future assignments!!!

[ermine-rat.livejournal.com]

Hmmm I remember my dad saying that the dynamic Jr High School environment kept him young. He learned how to handle that age group really well through the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, and the problems just became funny stories, and he has a ton of them.

My squire Trilayne has a great time in a San Jose school teaching that age group, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind you checking out his kids and methods sometime. He mentors other teachers who are starting out and enjoys his job very much working with the kids. He might be a good guy for you to spend some time with.

Cool

[learnteach.livejournal.com]

I'll try to get contact info from you tomorrow, or next week. Thanks!

[katie-in-london.livejournal.com]

Oh honey, I'm sorry! A.B. (I'm assuming that is the school you were at) is about as bad a JH as it gets...unless you want to go ghetto...thin line there :-p

THIS is exactly why I want to get out of teaching!!!!!!

But thank you! You've made my day; Finally someone else who truely KNOWS the horror! :-D

Shhhh!

[learnteach.livejournal.com]

Yep. And there's multiple "opportunities" there. But on the other hand, at what OTHER school could I get that kind of display? (:))
It wasn't all bad, and I'm glad to hear that that's a rough school. Still, wanted to grab a sword and show them how it's really done...

Re: Shhhh!

[katie-in-london.livejournal.com]

:-) I wish for my sword on a daily basis.....

[ladybrid.livejournal.com]

You might do really well with them in PE. One of my fav subs in HighSchool was Mr. Black. A real live Native American Indian, just your size and build... he scared everyone into good behavior in PE due to sheer size and presence alone, with a quiet stoic unreadable look to go along...
I did not undermine his authority even tho I knew he was the husband of my fav elementary school teacher, and the tough guy image was all an act put on by a soft hearted clown.