TFA teaches us to care about our students. It’s the party line. We care when no one else cares.
Okay…that’s the line.
But TFA also teaches you to pick your battles, I’d like to think. There are just some things you shouldn’t care about.
Last year, it seemed that everything irritated me. My kids talking when I was talking, showing up late, talking back, and not doing their work. I don’t know if it’s the year of experience behind me, knowing I’m leaving afer this year, or just finally learn to pick my battles that has changed. Whatever happened, it’s working.
My students don’t get to me any more, even when they try. For example, I have a student I will call Priscilla. Priscilla apparently likes to upset her teachers intentionally. The other day, she shows up nearly 2 minutes late to my first period. I calmly ask her to go outside, while I proceed to give the rest of the class directions. While they are working, I walk outside and ask Priscilla why she was late. Her response, “I was late Miss.”
I replied, “Yes, you mentioned that. But I am asking why you were late.”
“I TOLD you miss.”
“Okay, well you think about it and I’ll come back in a little while to see what you’ve come up with.”
[3 minutes goes by]
“So, why were you late?”
“Because I WAS LATE!”
“I know, you said that before. What I’m asking is why you were late.”
She scoffs.
“Hmmm, seems like you need some more time to think about it. I’ll come back in a little while.”
I go back to class and start them on another activity, go back outside.
“So, why were you late?”
“My mom woke up late.”
“Thank you. That answers my question. You can come back inside now.”
Never once was I upset. In fact, it’s rather quite entertaining 
)
Sometimes, the defiance is her way of saying that she doesn’t care that she was late, when in reality she might care but can’t do anything about it. I’ll bet her mom doesn’t care, which is the sad part.
Kudos to you for maintaining your cool.