Middle schooler from Hell

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Home : 2002 : May : 30

Middle schooler from Hell
By Ken M.

I've generally had good times with 6th graders; 7th and 8th can be a whole different situation.

Last week, on the day my Strep. kicked in (haven't had that in years) I did a M/S special ed. sub'ing. I have learned to deal
with this group and will take calls for some of these types of rooms.
During one period one student came in (later found out he was not supposed to be in the room but teacher's notes also indicated several may drop in for tests, etc. so did not challenge him); he was obnoxious from the moment he entered the room. Not only did he insult me several times but also egged on several others.

I suspect this student, like others described, is way beyond control and should not be allowed into the classroom.

I'm older, 55, and sometimes it disturbs me to see behavior that appears to be tolerated today that was never tolerated years ago. I think teachers, sub's and other school staff ought to be pretty well protected from such a student. To have to worry yourself sick about accounting for someone who wanders the halls, etc. is ridiculous and, at the least, someone in the school ought to share with a sub. when he/she will likely encounter such a difficult student so they do not go home feeling they may have failed. Likely, most others in the school have also had experiences with this student.

In my own case I made a decision that from now on I will quickly move to have a disruptive student removed from any class I am sub'ing for. This will take place even faster when the student starts to insult me personally. This particular student called me a thief because I took a large paper clip away from him (after seeing him poking another student with it). He then proudly proclaimed that I was "just" a sub. and he'd see to it I was fired! At the end of the period he grabbed that damned paper clip off of teacher's desk after I told him to leave it alone and muttered some obscenity directed towards me as he left the room.

Since I was down and out with this strep. the balance of the week I did not follow up to see what, if any, consequences this kid received and will let it go since school just ended. But, never again will I be the recipient of this kind of nonsense.

Best, Ken M.