Freshman math (formerly algebra 1). Special ed. Third period, Tuesday.
Because it was a "special day class", I had an instructional aide. She warned me that group could be volatile.
They came in, all eight of them, popping off to each other. Someone said someone's hair looked weird. Dan was fixated on his shattered Samsung mini tablet. All I wanted was for them to settle down.
They did, kind of.
But then, someone said something, and Grace was ready to beat up Thomas over it.
The IA went to defuse the situation, attempting to send Grace to another class where she wouldn't be irritated by Thomas. Grace refused to leave.
(Later, the IA told me Grace explodes regularly. Asking her to leave was sending her to a room where she would be able to calm down, rather than remaining in class where someone else would bait her to explode again.)
Time to call security to escort her out.
So, I called. And we waited. And waited. And waited.
The IA stationed herself between Grace and Thomas. I doubt anyone got much of their worksheets done.
It was odd. Security usually shows up pretty quickly. But this time, fifteen minutes later, at just about the end of the period, he arrived.
At least it didn't come to blows. It was a near thing.
So glad that the explosion did not have anything to do with a knife or gun cause you probably would not have needed security when they got there.
ReplyDeleteI hope if I had said "weapon" I would have gotten a much quicker response.
DeleteI'm kind of confused as to why she's getting sent out of class when it's other people who are baiting her into exploding. No wonder she explodes all the time if that's what happens.
ReplyDeleteOh God help you! Grace has some serious mental issues. I have to wonder why she isn't in class for Severely Disturbed students. Next time? Could you say that you suspect Grace might be on something?
ReplyDeleteAh. Good idea. When I was on the phone, I didn't think it was a big issue. It wasn't until we had to wait that I realized I probably downplayed it.
DeleteWow! Grace needs to be seen by someone to determine what issues she has and what she might need to help,her. This is difficult from the parents to her own rights but if she is this volatile then she needs to be looked at.
ReplyDeleteTrue. The school can only advise. It's up the parents to do something, and many choose not to.
DeleteDo they need to hire more security guards? Was Security detained somewhere else on another case? Glad it all worked out!
ReplyDeletebetty
Sounds like a tense scenario! As well as Grace needing help, I do think that Thomas and anyone else baiting her needs to have their behaviour investigated.
ReplyDeleteBad situation.
ReplyDeleteIt was.
DeleteI wish these kids well.
ReplyDelete