27 October 2009

Not the greatest day

I had a nightmare last night wherein I had the class from hell and it took 40 minutes just to get them to tell me their names. I think that's the first of many teaching-related nightmares. I got up, felt like crap, and was supposed to go to a session on giving placement exams. I felt so ill that I almost threw up on the metro. I got there 5 mins late and couldn't find it. Then I had a really rough class where a ten year old kept drawing pictures of pot and vodka with slogans like "Be an alcoholic!" and I had to take them away from her. Kids kept passing notes and throwing balls of paper at each other. I got passed a note that said "Why you don't like vodka? It would make you happy." The kids were upset that I didn't let them play the game I promised if they all finished their assignment, even though half of them refused to do it. They drew me on the whiteboard with angry eyebrows. Then I had to walk to the metro station at 9 in the pouring rain, and of course I didn't have my umbrella. Also, I hadn't had time to eat any proper food all day until just now (it's midnight) and the hallways in the school smelled like delicious food. It was torture. The smell in the toilet, however, was literally gag-inducing. In short, I am tired, sick, cold, and wet. I wish I could go home and eat lots of tacos and sleep.

I think I may call in sick tomorrow.

5 comments:

  1. Welcome to teaching! Did you keep a copy of you with angry eyes? Let's talk this week-end and I can give you some tricks to help with motivation. Or perhaps help. With teaching, nothing is promised or perfect. The difference between your students and you is that as soon as they left the class, they didn't think of you again. On the other hand, you can spend all night plotting how to get them to do what they are supposed to. Mwa ha ha!
    Love ya,
    Mom

    ReplyDelete
  2. It will get better!! I promise. Maybe tomorrow will be your best day ever? We need to set up a skype time soon!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I feel your pain. There are days like that and then days when it all comes together. Without the painful days, the good ones won't be as sweet.

    Bill Clinton (Dad)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Teaching is like prison. If you go in tomorrow and shank one of the kids, that'll get you respect... or a month in solitary.

    At any rate, it does get better, the first few weeks are always a bit rocky, but soon you'll hit a stride. Don't worry, we all have 'that day/week/month' and question if we made the right choice.

    You did.

    You are not alone. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Erica,
    I went back and reread your blog. The 27th was Tuesday. I know it was a different time there than here but my students who are also teachers were discussing how difficult their students were on Tuesday. They were saying that normally their students were decently behaved and tried hard. On Tuesday, their students were going bonkers. They were trying to figure out what was different about Tuesday that had set them off. Maybe it was some sort of global conspiracy! (That is my thought, not theirs) Love ya and hope life, and students, are treating you better! Mom

    ReplyDelete