I feel your pain

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I feel your pain
By Sharon

I know what you are going through. while my experience was in a middle school, I can relate. I accepted a multiday assignment, and had the class from hell! they were screaming, fighting, flinging rubber bands, throwing
spitballs and paperballs. I actually lost my voice from screaming. Fifteen students got suspended in one day! After teaching one hour, I wanted to die. I made friends with four of the neighboring teachers and started throwing kids out. I usually give my students three chances, but when they are that out of control, you can't give chances. I subbed for about a week for that class.

I found out that three subs had already run off on them. One walked out in the middle of the day. The teacher called me and asked me to stay for another week. I declined. Even if those students are only seven years old, they know better than to act like that. You must be tough! Make up another seating chart, alphabetical. Maybe you should throw a couple of them out. Usually, this creates the ripple effect. They start to calm down when they realize that you mean business. Make phonecalls home.

Do not tolerate any threats. Your comment about pencil stabbing brought on a childhood memory. When I was about seven or eight, one of my classmates stabbed me with a pencil. I still have the lead in my leg now!

I don't believe it will ruin your chances in the district. give it some time before you quit. Tell them the truth about all the warnings you received.

Spend some time one day just talking to them. Get to know them as people and tell them a little about yourself. See if that helps. Learn there names ASAP! If it helps, make little tags with each student's name on it and tape it to the front of their desk. They cannot change seats on you that way and you can call kids by name.

If you are in a relatively small district, i would explain things to them before you decide to throw in the towel. I work in a very large district. I have "blackballed" two schools from my list because of an unsupportive staff. it hasn't affected my calls one bit.

Good luck!
Sharon