I'm covering two weeks of 12th grade English at the continuation high school. The teacher retired.
Third period is the journalism class. And they're a challenge. They're not working on their articles for the newspaper, and not even the threat of getting zero credits for these two weeks are managing to push them to work.
So, when Arlo took a seat in class, I wasn't having it.
Arlo is in the second period, but he's not in the journalism class. Why was he there? Because he didn't like his third period teacher. Who was out that day and had a sub of his own.
In second period, Arlo was a pain. He was "done" with the class, so he was more of a disruption than anything. But he was enrolled in my second period class. I had to put up with him then. I didn't have to put up with him for another period.
I told Arlo to go. He had another class. But he wouldn't leave.
He wanted a reason why he had to go. That he wasn't enrolled in the class and had another class he should have been in wasn't good enough. Nor was my telling him that I was asking him to leave. Oh no.
"I won't leave until you give me a good reason why."
So, we went back and forth a couple times. Then I called for security.
Security arrived. I told Arlo his escort was there. And still, he refused to budge.
At this point, there's not a lot to do. No one could grab the student and drag him out. I wasn't going to attempt it, and I didn't expect security to do so either. Security left. And I busied myself with other things.
Shortly thereafter, the principal arrived. (I had thought he was off campus at the time, so I didn't expect to see him.) Apparently, that was enough for Arlo. He willingly left then.
Well, sort of willingly. He told the principal that I was wacko. Apparently, I was being unreasonable asking him to leave. And I was called other names...
Alas, Arlo's departure didn't make third period any easier to deal with. But at least my issues were now with those enrolled in the class.
Hi Liz - well just glad the head arrived ... something affects Arlo at least. Good luck - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteWow! I never heard of a kid not wanting to leave a class. You classroom teachers sure have your hands full!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? Most don't want to remain.
DeleteIf he were to be physically removed, then I would imagine that that would just escalate the issue. Glad the principle was able to get Arlo to leave your class.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's why when security left, I wasn't terribly upset. I understood.
DeleteThat is so mind boggling. What would make the kid think that's okay and consider you unreasonable. That's so weird.
ReplyDeleteThese kids... There's a certain mindset that gets them to the continuation high school. If they got it, they would never have been sent there.
Deletesuspension is in his future?
ReplyDeleteUnlikely. Long story why.
DeleteWow, almost no one could get him to leave? Yeah, a suspension should have happened.
ReplyDeleteSo security's not allowed to touch them at that school? I suppose that's good since I hear horror stories about kids being roughed up in other places. But what a pain in the ass that kid is. He definitely could use some detention.
ReplyDeleteThat's nuts, why bother going to your class at all, why not just skip since he was going to be marked for leaving his other class anyway
ReplyDeleteYou see my point. He didn't.
DeleteReading this makes me..me! miss the days when you could take a kid by the ear and tell him out and to go to the principal's office
ReplyDeleteThis kid is the type that would jump me in the parking lot for retaliation. And I'd hope to only get beat up and not shot. So, there's that.
DeleteIts difficult when your dealing with an angry boy, hes not a mature adult and remember that. He could see the light later, so give him the benefit of the doubt? see if he does it again.
ReplyDeleteWow.
ReplyDeleteYeah, some days...
DeleteWhat the heck, I can't even imagine that.
ReplyDeleteNor can I imagine having to keep my cool.
Keeping cool is easy. Usually. I've learned not to react to a lot.
DeleteI sit here and read this as the news is on about the school shooting in Fla. I am totally stressing over that shooting. Where and how can we change things when you have kids like this who don't respect teachers or rules! What is our world coming too? I feel for you and all the crap you have to put up with.
ReplyDeleteWell, first we have to regulate the guns. Licenses. Or some sort of oversight. This sort of thing only happens here, so that means we should probably look to the rest of the world and emulate them.
DeleteThey sound awful! Glad you were able to get rid of Arlo, even if he wasn't the only trouble maker.
ReplyDeleteYeah, well, every little bit helps ;)
DeleteI don't understand why security wasn't able to get him out? That seems like it could cause even more of a problem… Like what if a kid were physically hurting another kid or teacher? What do you do then? I'm so confused…
ReplyDeleteGlad the kid eventually willingly left your classroom, though. At least that's a plus.
If there was a physical altercation, it would be a different story altogether. But we weren't there, so it wasn't necessary.
Delete