Friday Night Fever

I wish my life were more exciting, or at least more thought provoking. Unfortunately, this week has both been horrible and boring at the same time. Allow me to explain.

I had two students walk into my 8th hour class late on Wednesday. One had just stopped by the restroom, a legitimate reason, but not an excuse. I gave him my regular “disappointed look” and proceeded to question the second student. We will call him “Jacob” for confidentiality’s sake. Jacob was one of my most trying students last semester. He was obnoxious, lazy and rude. I was always on him about his work and attitude. Then, he comes back from Christmas break and is a changed man. He does his work, even extra credit. He is polite and attentive. He has become one of my favorite students. He is one of those good hearted punks, leather coat and Polo jeans, but a sweet smile and innocent sort of talk about him. Naturally, I was surprised when he started tearing up and whimpering after I asked him why he was late. He said “Mr. Brass” (also a different name) had kept him after class. He then proceeded to say that Mr. Brass had grabbed him by the collar, shaken him and yelled in his face with no witnesses. Now, let me just say, this student does not cry. The fact that he was getting emotional made me believe his story. I asked him if he wanted to talk to the principal and he said no. I then wrote him a pass to go to the bathroom until he was ready to come back. I couldn’t let something like that go, especially since I was afraid that he might revert to his old behavior. I went to the principal and asked how I should best approach the situation. Hence, I became the “tattle tale”. Mr. Brass was suspended for two days without pay. The student ended up telling all the other students how he got a teacher suspended, a move which got him a second visit to the principal’s office, this time, for reprimand. I feel bad about it, but you can’t hit a child, or frighten a child like that.

Last night, I had absolutely no motivation to do anything. On top of that, I was tired. That sort of deadly combination will land you in bed at 8:30pm because you are too bored to stay awake. Thank God I’m going shopping tomorrow for spring break or else I might have to run around naked in my backyard, just to entertain myself.

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